In a special forum at the Delaware State campus on Thursday, President Tony Allen and Wesley College President Bob Clark signed the agreement between the two academic institutions and shook hands after placing their signatures. It signals a historic moment for the university. 

“In our view, that point is noteworthy, but it is not the reason this is such an attractive opportunity. To serve more students who need our brand of excellence, education and care, we needed to increase the size of our footprint, build on our key academic programs, grow our research base and enhance our economic impact on the state of Delaware,” Allen said at the forum. “We could not be any more pleased about adding the incredible Wesley brand legacy, so many continuing students and dozens of dedicated employees to our own family.” 

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Originally, the two parties agreed to the transaction last July, as Wesley College was in the midst of financial difficulties. In 2019, the then-private liberal arts college had asked for as much as $3.2 million in public funding just to keep the school functioning and fund scholarships, grants and library renovations. 

Delaware State, the public institution located in Dover, will acquire over 50 acres of land, 21 buildings and 14 academic programs. Additionally, at least 60% of the faculty and staff and 77% of students from Wesley will continue their academic careers at Delaware State University.  

According to the school website, the contract will bring the University to a student body count of almost 6,000 students, while producing close to $350 million in economic prosperity to the state of Delaware.