Officials say the Historically Black Colleges and Universities week event in Wilmington this year connected a record number of students to higher education.
Mayor Mike Purzycki’s office says 1,200 students were accepted to schools on the spot at the city’s 3rd annual HBCU College Fair last month. 63 full scholarships and 420 partial scholarships representing nearly $4 million in tuition were also handed out.
Delaware State University’s Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Dawn Mosely says DSU signed up more than 250 students and awarded approximately $2 million in scholarships.
“This was an event that really showcased how important HBCUs are in America and why students find this is the type of experience they’d like to have for their higher ed experience,” said Mosely.
21 colleges or universities were represented at the event and 10 signed up students on the spot, according to the mayor’s office.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith broadcasted his show “First Take” live from the 76ers Fieldhouse as part of the HBCU College Fair.
And more than 7500 people attended the HBCU Battle of the Bands the following evening at Frawley Stadium.
“So you have folks from different areas all across the nation displaying their love and their pride for their particular HBCU,” said Mosley. “Then of course you come to the college fair and wide-spread people are just lined up in numbers wanting to apply.”
The Mayor’s office says an estimated 2,000 students have been admitted to college and/or received scholarships since HBCU Week Program began in 2017.
