Goodbye Tubman Hall

Tubman Hall in 1977. Named for Harriet Tubman, the building was three stories with a 108 bed capacity.  Although it served both male and female students across its lifespan, Tubman was primarily home to female freshmen. 

Last summer we "turned the lights out" at Laws Hall in order to start the construction of a new 620-bed housing facility. As the academic year passed we watched the building grow to a stature we never imagined and at a rate we could hardly believe.

This summer we are saying goodbye to yet another residence hall. Just days after students moved out of Tubman Hall, the construction workers moved in and began demolition.  The building must be removed in order to make way for the second section of the new facility (projected to be completed in August).

Personally, I am sorry to see Tubman Hall go.  Unlike many of you, the alumni, I do not have sentimental attachments. However, for me, Tubman was symbolic of this our predecessors' perseverance and faith in the future. Tubman was built at a very uncertain time in DSU's history.  In 1949 the institution lost accreditation and was immediately thrown into turmoil.  Most significantly, there were talks of merging Delaware State College with University of Delaware.  Tubman was constructed in 1952 despite  tremendous uncertainty.  The very fact that Tubman was constructed, and with state appropriations, tells me that there were individuals with confidence in the college.

Sixty-seven years later, Tubman has served its purpose.  It was a voice for the future and it got to be a part of the drastic growth at Delaware State College. Today Tubman must bow out in order to allow the current generation to make new assertions for the future. Even as it closes its doors, Tubman remains a symbol of the aspiration and foresight of our leadership.

Did you live in Tubman? Do you have any fond memories? Comment below.

Left:Tubman Hall in the initial stages of demolition, May 22,2019.  Right: Phase I of the new dormitory under construction