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| The inaugural program, April 12, 1961 |
His daughter and our current President, Dr. Wilma Mishoe, recently discovered the recording among her family's private collections. She was kind enough to permit the recording to be digitized and sent to the archives. Although not in possession of the original recording (it will remain with the Mishoe family), I am very excited about this treasure! For the first time ever, I was able to hear President Mishoe's voice.
The recording begins with a deep voice describing the event that's about to be recorded. "The inauguration of Luna Issac Mishoe as seventh president of Delaware State College. Place: Memorial Hall. Time: Three P.M." Organ music begins playing and is followed by the invocation. Immediately after the college choir begins singing Holy Lord God and if I didn't know otherwise, I would swear they were professional musicians hired for the big day. Thereafter the event proceeds with a number of speeches from dignitaries until finally President Mishoe offers his inaugural address.
The theme of Dr. Mishoe's speech is "new academic frontiers," and in it he describes the plans he has for the offerings of the college. Among them, Dr. Mishoe highlights his desire to encourage international study that goes beyond simply courses in German, Spanish, and French language. He speaks of major African languages, a study of Asian culture and broader world history. He additionally vows the college will pursue greater study in natural sciences to include physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, meteorology, radiation biology, celestial mechanics, and much more. He vows to construct a new science center.
With the benefit of hindsight, today, we can see that Dr. Mishoe was successful in all of his desires. The Mishoe Science Center is a physical testament.
Stop in anytime to hear a piece of history.
*Item housed with Presidential Inaugural programs Row 10, Bay C, Shelf 5.
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