A new exhibition, four years in the making, celebrates the oldest building at the University of Delaware

Colors of Old College, is an exhibit from Feb. 4th through May 18th, 2025, featuring photos, blueprints, oral histories and immersive performances. Visitors will discover the significance of the entire Old College Historic District to the University of Delaware and the broader community.

 

Delaware State University Plans to Acquire Nearby Wesley College

Emma Whitford reports on the pending acquisition of Wesley College, "Delaware State Acquiring Wesley College," for Inside Higher Ed on July 20, 2020.

Whitford notes that this will be the first time a historically Black university buys a non-HBCU institution. Delaware State University president Tony Allen indicates plans call for completion of the process in June 2021. The institutions are both located in Dover, Delaware with just two miles separating the campuses.

Wesley College was founded as Wilmington Conference Academy in 1873. The name changed to Wesley Collegiate Institute and then to Wesley Junior College. The first baccalaureate degrees were offered after 1978. Whitford indicates 2019 enrollment of 1,229 undergraduates and 122 graduate students.

Delaware State University was founded as the State College for Colored Students in 1891. The name was changed to Delaware State College in 1947 and to Delaware State University in 1993. Enrollment in 2019 was 4,208 undergraduates and 378 graduate students.

If you are interested in recent trends for closures, mergers,and acquisitions access College Closures since 2009 in the index at the right of any College History Garden page. There are separate tabs for non-profit closures, for-profit closures, and one for mergers and acquisitions. Each tab includes basic information for the institutions, i.e., Carnegie Classification, sector, accrediting agency, and the IPEDS unitid.

Delaware Technical Community College Celebrates 50th Anniversary

CapeGazette.com reported this week on a gathering in late January where Delaware Technical Community College began a yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary.  The institution was founded in 1966 and has since expanded to serve the citizens of Delaware through four sites in Dover, Georgetown, Stanton, and Wilmington.  A set of 50th anniversary web pages highlight the accomplishments and includes a timeline and several videos featuring historical images and alumni stories. 

Delaware Colleges that have Closed, Merged, or Changed Names

This table below includes institutions that have closed, merged, or changed their names.  If you note a need for changing or updating information, please notify ray01brown@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

An index with links to separate pages for other states and countries is available.

There is a College History Garden Facebook group or you can view and follow multiple College History Garden boards on Pinterest or there is a board specifically devoted to Delaware colleges.

Thanks for your interest and suggestions!