Earth Day

John Boykin Aiken

Written by Dan DelViscio 

Happy Earth Day! Throughout its history, Delaware State University has cultivated a strong appreciation for the natural environment. After all, a core component of the 1890 Morrill Act, under which this university was founded, was to establish agricultural courses of study.  Consequently, through these doors have passed many green-thumbed individuals.

John Boykin Aiken was an early graduate of the State College for Colored Students, and he remained at the college following graduation to serve as an agricultural instructor from 1898 to 1906, and as Farm Manager in 1923. In 1937, he was appointed by Governor Richard C. McMullen to the college’s Board of Trustees.

Dr. Ulysses S. Washinton

Pictured here is the esteemed Dr. Ulysses S. Washington conducting an agriculture class in 1970. From 1949 until his retirement in 1991, Dr. Washington served the university faithfully as, first, an assistant professor of agriculture and farm mechanics, and later, as the chair of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Although he no longer actively teaches classes, today Dr. Washington continues to enrich the campus community through his unwavering support and presence on campus.  To learn more about Dr. Washington’s achievements, check out this interview. 

 

The tradition continues! Earlier this spring DSU announced the work of Janet Cordero, a graduate student of Plant Science, and her advisor Dr. Sathya Elavarthi, who developed a free app called “DSU Urban Forest.” Funded by the McIntire Stennis Forestry Grant, the app provides users with information about the 25 most abundant trees on the DSU campus including Common Crapemyrtle, Eastern White Pine, Honeylocust, and many more! Using the app, you can learn about the ecological and energy saving contributions that these trees make to the college. Please check out the app here or explore The DSU Urban Forest Facebook page.

This Earth Day we commend these individuals. Thank you for promoting our beautiful campus and enhancing our knowledge of the local environment.