Written by Joy Scherry
On May 19, 2016 I had a rare and wonderful opportunity to
examine DSU history with the people who lived it. As the archivist I have the
unique ability to examine primary source documents every day. While I count
this as a very great privilege, the records do not provide clear pictures of
human emotions or motivations. This level of understanding can only be gained
by speaking with the people present at the time.
The 2016 Alumni Luncheon was one such occasion as alumni from as far as
Florida convened in Dover for a luncheon where they swapped stories, shared
memorabilia, listened to a presentation by Carlos Holmes (DSU’s Unofficial
historian), and viewed a display of materials from the DSU archives.
I love alumni gatherings for a number of reasons but primarily
because there are tidbits of information that cannot be captured on paper and are
instead passed on through oral tradition.
Did you know that Dr. Maurice Thomasson, sociology professor and two-time
acting-president, was fondly called Dr. Ether? Like the drug, Dr. Thomasson’s lectures put
students to sleep.
By far, my favorite part of the day was a discussion of
the 1968 student unrest. In case you’re not familiar with this event, the gist
of it is that students wanted to name the first student center after Martin
Luther King Jr. but because administrators didn’t reply to their request, the
students interrupted the building’s dedication ceremony in order to so name the
building. The circumstances of event have always been cloudy, but yesterday
there were individuals present to offer three distinct perspectives – that of President
Mishoe’s secretary representing the voice of administrators, the viewpoint of students
present for the unrest, and lastly an individual who was a member of the Delaware
National Guard that was dispatched to quell the demonstration. Perhaps for the first time, contemporaries
were able to reconcile their perceptions and gain a better understanding of the
opposing viewpoint. Because of the candid
and chance nature of the conversation I doubt that this is an experience that
can be duplicated. I’m grateful that I
was present to witness it.
Each time I attend alumni gatherings I am always truly
inspired by the friendship and joy shared by the people present. Watching the
DSU family reminds me that even though experiences can be shared, every life is
unique and has immeasurable value.
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| While listening to Mr. Holmes' presentation, Pauline Walker Wilkes, seated fourth from the left, had a special moment when she realized she was looking at a picture (below) of her younger self. Additionally pictured here is the oldest living alumni, Mrs. Stevenson, age 102 (seated fifth from the left). |
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| Pauline Walker Wilkes, pictured in the center |
