Delaware State University alumni look to drum up scholarship support: Education Roundup

Delaware students have snagged awards and scholarships alike heading into the summer, while local organizations continue aims to build up similar scholastic support for generations to come.

Also, across the state, lawmakers have moved forward on legislation and budget items related to education, like a raise headed for teachers, additional funding for mental health, support for paraeducators and much more. Nationally, last week's historic Supreme Court decision to block affirmative action is set to reverberate through higher education and the workplace. Delaware will be no exception.

While the highest court was busy rolling back a couple decades of precedent, local education news rolled right along as well. In this roundup we'll look to catch you up on some Delaware headlines you may have missed.

Did we miss another good story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com.

Delaware State alumni prepare for 40th anniversary scholarship event

His career has taken many shapes.

Frank Burton Jr. was a baseball and football star out of high school and at Delaware State University. He always thought he'd reach the pros. But instead, he'd soon find himself a father and husband training with the FBI. He'd go on to work as a negotiator, an investigator, later a civil rights and hate crime expert. He wasn't done.

By the time he retired after over a decade in the bureau, he'd already started his own church and began serving as a pastor — called from "FBI to Apostle," as he titled his own memoir. He still wasn't done.

This spring he finished a master's degree at Wilmington University, and soon he'll be teaching courses surrounding criminal justice at the same institution.

So Burton has been focused on giving back. And later this summer, a Delaware State University alumni event aims to do just that.

The New Castle County DSUAA will host its 40th Anniversary Scholarship Luncheon on Sunday, Aug. 20, in the Chase Center on the Riverfront — honoring Burton among several other alumni from the area, while drumming up support for the next generation of students heading to the Dover HBCU.

"I was a scholarship recipient when I went to for my undergrad," Burton said, recalling his full ride for football. "So I know what it's like. And one of the reasons I want people to understand is so they can contribute. Because it's important that all people have an opportunity to go to school."

Burton says the black-tie affair, fit with speakers and entertainment, will see all ticket proceeds further fuel scholarship efforts at Delaware State. An early bird discount ends July 21, according to the event flyer, with tickets starting at $75. Regular sales will start at $85, while entire tables can be reserved for $600.

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He stressed that HBCU graduates need to focus on giving back. Often times these institutions don't have endowments the size of small countries' GDP to fall back on.

"Deion Sanders said this, 'Here's the problem with HBCUs: only 11% of our alumni give back,'" Burton said. "And that's why I have such a hard drive to get people to just give anything they can. Just figure if 80% of people just gave back something? Man."

He hopes to see new faces in August.

If you go

What: 40th Anniversary Scholarship Luncheon, New Castle County Delaware State University Alumni Association. Tickets available online.

When: Doors open 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20

Where: Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St., Wilmington

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New Castle Libraries field $20K 'Big Read' grant

New Castle County Libraries is one of 62 organizations nationwide expecting a "NEA Big Read" grant next school year.

The grant of $20,000 will support a community reading program focusing on “The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir,” by Thi Bui, between September and next March, according to the Delaware Division of the Arts.

“Thi Bui’s graphic memoir ‘The Best We Could Do’ was selected for its poignant portrayal of immigration, assimilation, culture and the lasting effects that displacement can have on a family,” said County Executive Matt Meyer in a statement. He went on to say the program aims to allow community members to consider how historical events and issues of culture and identity "shape our present and future."

The NEA Big Read grant is part of a national initiative investing in nonprofits, developing innovative programming around contemporary books. This year, NEA is investing $1,075,000.

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Future Delaware health professionals bring home awards

More than 150 students and advisers from Delaware were in Dallas just last month, representing the First State in a conference for future health care workers.

The 46th-annual HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference saw them join over 12,000 other members to compete in medical math, public health, behavioral health, community awareness and more events focused on the industry, according to the Delaware Department of Education.

Delaware HOSA helps students interested in a health care career "take part in community service work and become leaders for the organization in their school, state, and at the international level," according to the department.

Winners came from Odessa, Middletown, Sussex Central, Delcastle, Cape Henlopen, William Penn, Milford and Sussex Technical high schools, as well as Newark Charter School, Charter School of Wilmington and Padua Academy. A full list of winners and categories is available online.

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Delaware high schoolers pick up Beau Biden Memorial Scholarships

Five high school seniors won Beau Biden Memorial Scholarships this year, according to the I Could Do Great Things Foundation.

Named after former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, who died in 2015 at age 46, the scholarship honors college-bond students “who embody the virtues of Beau Biden, qualities of leadership, community, civility, respect, and who demonstrate a strong moral compass.”

After applications were reviewed throughout the state, Jordy Estrada, Jack Thompson, Max Rosenthal, Caroline Ricketts and Jessica Lattanzi can all expect the 2023 awards. Estrada was the Gold Scholarship winner, landing a 10,000 scholarship to Cornell University.

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Thompson and Rosenthal, as the Silver Scholarship winners, will each receive $5,000. Ricketts will receive $2,500, Lattanzi $1,000.

“The recipients of this year’s Beau Biden Memorial Scholarships embody Beau Biden’s legacy of community service, benevolence, and good will," the selection committee wrote. "We have faith that they will go on to do great things for their communities.”

Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for the USA TODAY Network's Northeast Region and Delaware Online, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Delaware State University alumni look to fund scholarships