Delaware State University News June 17, 2021 Del State receives Verizon grant for eSport initiatives and scholarships Verizon has given a boost to Delaware State University's eSports Tech Center and Computer Science Program by awarding the institution $100,000. Verizon has also awarded an additional $100,000 to Del State to go toward scholarships to five female students as part of the company's effort to increase female representation in the gaming industry as well as bolster their opportunities and presence in STEM careers. The $200,000 in donations are part of Verizon initiative to reach out to Historically Black Colleges and Universities in support of their eSports programs. The University's Department of Wellness & Recreation started its eSports program at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. When COVID hit in the spring of 2020, the MEAC started its first ever MEAC eSports Taskforce for which LaMont Foreman (Assistant Director - Competitive Sports & Facilities) and Wesley Davis (Student Center Operations Coordinator) were selected to represent Del State and serve on its inaugural Board of Directors. Through these networking opportunities Jordin Williams, Executive Director of Wellness, Recreation & Campus Events, connected with the owners of Cxmmunity Gaming Company who specialize in expanding eSports into HBCU campuses. Mrs. Williams shared information about the eSports foundation established on campus through our partnership with Mission Control as well as the support received from Jasmine Buxton, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, in expanding eSports opportunities on campus for our student body. The University's ongoing eSports program positioned its selection by Cxmmunity Gaming Company as one of the five HBCU benefactors (Del State, Dillard, Texas Southern University, Howard University and Morgan State University) in receiving part of the $1 million made available by the Verizon Foundation. At a later date the University will select five female students majoring in the STEM areas to each receive a $20,000 scholarship. Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs - Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/