Dr. Jalaal Hayes, center, made Delaware State University history by becoming the youngest-ever doctoral graduate at age 22. Dr. Hayes of Philadelphia was conferred a Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry during the commencement. Standing with Dr. Hayes are his adviser Dr. Andrew Goudy, professor of chemistry, and Dr. Cherese Winstead, chairwoman of the DSU Department of Chemistry. (Submitted photo/Delaware State University)
DOVER — Delaware State University held its 2015 December Commencement on Sunday in the Memorial Hall Gymnasium where more than 300 graduates received their diplomas.
Among the undergraduates receiving their diplomas, seven completed their academic journey as Summa Cum Laude (3.75 GPA and above), 15 as
Desirae Hagaman, right, receives the Presidential Academic Award from DSU President Harry L. Williams. A graduate of Dover High School and raised in the state capital, Ms. Hagaman led the December 2015 Commencement group with a 3.96 grade-point average, which she maintained while earning a Bachelor of Science in Movement Science.
Magna Cum Laude (3.5 to 3.74), 20 as Cum Laude (3.25 to 3.49), and six as Honorable Mention (transfer students with 60 or more credit hours at DSU).
DSU President Harry L. Williams presented the Presidential Academic Award to Desirae Hagaman of Dover, Del. A movement science major, Ms.
Hagaman maintained a 3.96 GPA throughout her entire undergraduate Summa Cum Laude journey.
The keynote speaker was Ann Rosenberg, the vice president and head of Global SAP University Alliance. SAP SE and DSU entered into a formal partnership this year, which exposes the University’s students to the software giant’s advance technologies and establishes DSU as a Center of Excellence in sharing that knowledge with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Ms. Rosenberg told the December 2015 graduating class that industry needs them to find better ways to do things.
“You have the mind through which you will be the disrupter in those industries,” she said. “Get the job you want. Go big and be a change agent.”
Later in the ceremony, Dr. Williams presented Ms. Rosenberg with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
The December 2015 Commencement included the conferring of an Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry to the youngest candidate to complete doctoral studies at DSU — 22-year-old Jalaal A. Hayes of Philadelphia.