Latest news with #DelawareStateUniversity
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Are fireflies disappearing? A look at New Jersey's lightning bug population
Many people do not like bugs ... but who doesn't love fireflies? They are naturally magical, illuminating a backyard like fireworks on a warm summer night. Here in New Jersey, and around much of the country, it would not feel like summer without them. Fireflies, or lightning bugs as 87% of readers call them, are found all over the world. They tend to like warm and fairly wet weather, typically appearing in May, June or July in the United States. North America is home to approximately 150 species of fireflies, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. About 30 of these species are known or thought to be found in New Jersey. However, fireflies are not well studied or understood in the state, according to the NJDEP, which says, "Like so many of our other wildlife, fireflies are incredibly diverse with many having unique habitat and life history requirements." Christopher M. Heckscher, firefly researcher and professor of environmental science and ecology at Delaware State University told last summer that this is not just an issue in New Jersey. Overall, according to Heckscher, we know so little about fireflies compared to some other species like dragonflies or butterflies. "I think the reason we know so little about them in comparison to things like butterflies and dragonflies is because to study them you have to be willing to be outside late at night, sometimes in really remote areas," said Heckscher. "We found that fireflies are often associated with different types of wetlands, so not only do you have to be outside at night, but you also have to be in a wetland somewhere. That can be challenging." Fireflies are facing numerous threats Like many native species, fireflies are facing numerous threats from artificial light to overdevelopment, the draining of wetlands and the use of chemicals and pesticides. As these threats persist, many have said that they are noticing less fireflies than they used to. "Anecdotal reports describe fewer individuals being seen each year, and while long-term monitoring studies are scarce, some of the data we have are concerning," according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. In North America, for example, one in three firefly species may be at risk of extinction. Are fireflies disappearing? As fireflies remain a hot topic, many are asking the question, "Are fireflies disappearing?" According to Richard Joyce, conservation biologist for the Xerces Society, the answer is not so simple. "People ask me how fireflies are doing, how their numbers are doing, and I usually have the follow-up question of, 'which species are you talking about?'" said Joyce. "New Jersey has around 30 ... species, and each of those species might have a different trend happening in terms of some species being stable, some might be declining a little bit, and some might be increasing due to recent weather conditions." Joyce continued, "From everything that I've heard about fireflies on the East Coast, I think it has been a good couple of years." For the last three and a half years, Joyce has focused his work with the Xerces Society on firefly conservation, helping to learn more about and protect at-risk species and supporting conservation efforts around the country. Although he is based in Massachusetts, Joyce has visited New Jersey multiple times to conduct firefly surveys. Most recently, he spent time in the salt marshes of the Jersey Shore surveying two localized species: the keel-necked firefly and the salt marsh firefly. The good news, he said, was that these two species were found in places they hadn't been found before, indicating that they are spread across the state's coastal salt marshes and that the population is bigger than originally thought. However, they are still facing multiple threats like sea level rise and water quality issues. New Jersey's most common firefly is the common eastern firefly, also known as the big dipper firefly. Unlike some other species, according to Joyce, the big dipper firefly is very widespread and is adaptable to human impacted landscapes. "There's no population monitoring happening at the species level for fireflies, and even if we were monitoring populations, I would say the big dipper firefly is not one that we would prioritize," said Joyce. "By all measures, it seems to be doing pretty well. It seems to be adapting to urbanization and agriculture and it's really like the little firefly that could." He continued, "From a conservation standpoint, am I worried that the common eastern firefly is about to go extinct? No, not at all. Am I worried about some species of fireflies ... yes, I am." How to help fireflies If you are interested in helping fireflies, there are a few things that you can do right in your own backyard. Some actions you can take, according to Heckscher, Joyce and the Xerces Society, include: Provide habitat for fireflies by setting aside part of your yard or garden where things can "get a little wild." Avoid using chemicals and pesticides in your yard. Turn off your outdoor lights at night, especially during the summer firefly season. Leave things like leaf litter or damp wood in your yard if possible. Fireflies spend most of their lives in the soil and under leaf litter. Get involved! Engage with local municipalities and governments as well as the people who manage your local parks to discuss ways that you can help fireflies in your area. Contribute to the collective firefly knowledge by participating in a community science project, such as the Xerces Society's Firefly Atlas, which allows people to register and submit their firefly sightings. Additionally, according to Joyce, there is a growing movement around the country to establish firefly sanctuaries as places where local species can be protected, studied and admired. "There's some really inspiring stories from around the country of people who have gotten organized to uplift their local lightning bugs and really give them a safe place to live," said Joyce. For more information, visit the Firefly Atlas guide at This article originally appeared on Are fireflies disappearing? New Jersey's lightning bug population Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to assume leadership of HBCU Philanthropy Symposium
The Symposium, founded at Delaware State University, brings together HBCU leaders and philanthropic partners ORLANDO, Fla., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams recently announced that the organization has officially assumed leadership of the HBCU Philanthropy Symposium, ushering in a new era of collaboration, strategy and innovation for advancement professionals at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), historically Black community colleges (HBCCs) and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs). The announcement came during the opening session of the 2025 HBCU Philanthropy Symposium, where Dr. Williams delivered a keynote address titled 'This Is Our Moment.' The symposium was founded at Delaware State University (DSU) under the leadership of Dr. Vita Pickrum, who previously served as vice president of institutional advancement and president of the DSU Foundation until her retirement last year. Each year, the symposium hosts HBCU leaders and philanthropic partners to share best practices around fundraising and sustainability. This week, the 15th-annual symposium is being held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, with more than 400 attendees. 'When Dr. Pickrum first brought us together 15 years ago, just two schools and one funder participated. This week in Orlando, two thirds of the HBCU community is in attendance, alongside dozens of corporate and private philanthropic organizations,' Dr. Tony Allen, president of DSU, said. 'This transition to TMCF will expand the symposium's reach, supercharge its important mission and serve to benefit HBCU students across our country.' In his address, Dr. Williams described the shift as a strategic and timely decision, emphasizing the importance of strengthening fundraising capacity across HBCUs at a time when equity and access in education face heightened scrutiny. 'This is not just a transfer of leadership—it's a call to action,' Dr. Williams said. 'HBCUs have always done more with less. But this moment demands that we do more with more. This symposium is the training ground and launching pad for that future.' Under TMCF's leadership, the symposium will expand its offerings to potentially include additional professional development opportunities, a certified fundraising management credential and an enhanced focus on best practices that can be implemented across campuses of all sizes. Attendees at this year's conference will participate in workshops, strategy sessions and networking opportunities focused on fundraising, the state of HBCUs and infrastructure. TMCF encouraged all participants to complete the post-event survey and consider joining the planning committee for the 2026 symposium. Featured speakers at the 15th-annual symposium this week in Orlando include: U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams, a preeminent Congressional advocate for HBCUs, who focuses much of her legislative efforts on housing, hunger, healthcare and higher education The Honorable John King, Jr., former Secretary of Education in the Barack Obama administration and the current State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., former president of Morehouse College, and former executive director of the White House HBCU Initiative Sonja Stills, commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) The HBCU Philanthropy Symposium is supported by the following major sponsors: Amazon, Disney on the Yard, The Kresge Foundation, Delmarva Power, Diageo North America, Sallie Mae, Thurgood Marshall College Fund and United Airlines. For more information, visit the Symposium website at About Thurgood Marshall College Fund Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community. TMCF member schools include the publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities, predominantly Black institutions and historically Black community colleges, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending Black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit CONTACT: Clara Ross Stamps The Thurgood Marshall College Fund 240-931-0696 in to access your portfolio
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
The Approaching Storm Marching Band announces new director
DOVER, Del. – Delaware State University has officially welcomed Eugene J. Diggs II as its new Director of Bands. Known for his innovative approach and dedication to excellence, Diggs will lead The Approaching Storm Marching Band, one of the most dynamic HBCU band programs in the country. A native of Washington, D.C., Diggs is a graduate of Crossland High School and Morgan State University. At Morgan State, he served as a four-year drum major and led the Eta Gamma chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. These early experiences laid the groundwork for his career in music education. Diggs began his career in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he founded the district's only middle school marching band. Later, he revitalized the Hopewell High School band, growing it from 16 to 140 students. His leadership earned multiple Grand Champion titles and national recognition. After returning to Morgan State, Diggs worked alongside legendary HBCU band directors Dr. Melvin Miles and Dr. Jorim Reid. Together, they helped prepare the Bears for their first-ever appearance at the prestigious Honda Battle of the Bands. At Lincoln University of Missouri, Diggs served as Director of Bands, where he tripled the size of the Marching Musical Storm. He also introduced innovative curriculum development that strengthened the program's educational foundation. His achievements at Lincoln earned him respect throughout the HBCU music education community. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Diggs holds a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Music Education at Boston University, with a focus on research examining equity in music education between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Now, at Delaware State, Diggs brings his extensive experience and forward-thinking approach to The Approaching Storm. He is committed to upholding the band's legacy of excellence while also fostering a culture of discipline and musical innovation. Delaware State University's appointment of Diggs marks a new chapter for The Approaching Storm Marching Band. With his leadership, the program is poised for growth and continued success. The post The Approaching Storm Marching Band announces new director appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delaware State University freezes hiring amid growing uncertainty on public funding
This story was produced by Spotlight Delaware as part of a partnership with Delaware Online/The News Journal. For more about Spotlight Delaware, visit Delaware State University has instituted a year-long hiring freeze amid concerns over federal and state funding support, potentially slowing the decade-long revitalization underway at the state's only historically Black college and university. The freeze will go into effect June 1 and will remain in place through the end of fiscal year 2026, at which time university leaders will reevaluate, according to a memo written by DSU President Tony Allen that was obtained by Spotlight Delaware. The Dover-based school has grown significantly in recent years, including acquiring the former Wesley College in Dover, surpassing an enrollment of 6,000 for the first time, raising millions in private donations and building the first new facilities on the campus in a decade. That growth hasn't come without its challenges though. In his April 25 memo to faculty and staff, Allen noted that DSU 'achieved these results because we have been disciplined,' including enacting mid-year budget course corrections, greater efficiency through automated tools, and cultivation of a mindset focused on students and growth. The university also began a tuition increase schedule for the first time in six years beginning in 2023. Last year, it increased tuition by $250 per semester, or a 5% increase. But those efforts could also be dramatically overtaken by a decrease in federal and, or, state support if program cuts under the Trump administration become the norm for higher education. 'With so much uncertainty in Washington, an ever-changing and often volatile market, and the ongoing challenges to delivering a high-value, low-cost education for our students, I have determined that it is now time to implement a hiring freeze until we have greater clarity on the federal landscape's impact on our state support and a confidence that we can continue on the growth trajectory we have laid out in our strategic plan,' Allen wrote in his memo. 'Today, we enter a new phase.' Delaware State University had 229 faculty members across 17 departments, as of last fall. It is currently operating under a critical hiring process led by Executive Vice President Irene Hawkins and Chief Financial Officer Anas Ben Addi, which requires any new hires to be vetted by the administration for their necessity. Allen said DSU would continue to make staff changes to react to real-time needs, but the 'standard for the hurdle for such investments will be high and consistent across the university.' Grant-related research roles will also be closely monitored. 'To be clear, we are focused on bringing in more talent from grants that give us the latitude to do so, but we are not forecasting any grant-related hires into our financial projections beyond the grant period. We will need all principal investigators to abide by this objective,' Allen wrote. Earlier this year, Delaware State University obtained the R2 research level from the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education – the second highest ranking – making it only the 14th HBCU to achieve that feat. DSU is not alone in seeking to suppress hiring, as the University of Delaware has enacted criteria-driven hiring, which will limit new staff and faculty hires to those that revenue can support. UD estimates that it can save upward of $8 million annually under the strategy. Delaware State University has long contended with a negative net position due to depreciation of its facilities, debt servicing on loans and other long-term pension and benefit liabilities, but has made strides in recent years to build net revenue to help lower that burden. By the end of Fiscal Year 2024, the university had a negative net position of almost $30 million. A review of DSU's most recent audits also finds that the university's recent growth has been significantly supported by an increase in student scholarship and research funding. More than half of all undergrads are currently on federal Pell grants, which provide scholarship support for college students from low-income families, according to DSU. More than 70 percent of all students are Pell-eligible, which exposes their risk to cuts to that program. In comparison, only about 18% of University of Delaware students have Pell grants, according to data compiled by Scholarship360, an analytics and services firm. In Fiscal Year 2024, DSU kept about $45 million from tuition and fee revenue, but also gave $35 million back to students in scholarships. That reliance on support negates, in part, the recent tuition increases at the university. Meanwhile, DSU saw a 2.5% drop in enrollment this past academic year, dropping from its record of 6,451 in the fall of 2023 to 6,280 this past fall. One of the university's most consistent revenue generators in recent years has been federal research grants and contracts, growing nearly 60% from about $25 million a year to nearly $40 million. With the Trump administration cutting those grants and seeking to pare back the available facilities & administrative fees for them, DSU may not be able to rely on that funding for future growth to the same extent. Those factors are combined with DSU's longstanding argument that the state government should consider greater support for the institution. With about $46 million in state funds totaling under 20% of its revenues, DSU ranks No. 34 out of all public HBCUs nationwide. Most of its regional HBCU peers exceed 30% in public support and two even exceed 50%. 'First, we are experiencing significant uncertainty on our level of State funding. We also have significant financial exposure both on federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, and research grant funding. Because of that uncertainty, we have pursued these responsible measures to protect the long-term financial sustainability of Delaware State University. University leadership will continue to consider additional cost-cutting measures, including a reduction in the University's offering of summer camps,' Jonathan Starkey, vice president of government relations at DSU, said in a statement when asked about DSU's financial position. Get stories like this delivered to your email inbox by signing up for the free newsletter at This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware State University freezes hiring amid public funding concerns
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hot spring & summer events near Delaware that are worth the trip
There's a big world outside of the Small Wonder worth exploring this summer. Don't believe us? Here's a preview of some major events near Delaware worth a mini road trip this spring and early summer. After Kendrick Lamar and SZA made headlines performing in the Super Bowl halftime show in February, the pair will pick up where they left off when they bring the "Grand National Tour" to Lincoln Financial Field this spring. The singer SZA, an alum of Delaware State University, and the "Not Like Us" rapper Kendrick Lamar are both coming to The Linc with a combined 27 Grammy Awards, with K. Dot leading the way with 22. In February, the rapper made history as the first solo rapper to headline a Super Bowl halftime show. He brought SZA out to perform as a special guest at the event. Both artists have played the Firefly Music Festival in Dover. Lincoln Financial Field (1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 7 p.m. Monday, May 5. Tickets are $94-$561+. Visit or call (215) 463-5500. Subscribe to DO Delaware Expect lots of cowboy hats and boot stomping when Chris Stapleton, George Strait and Parker McCollum soar to the home of the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles. Stapleton charmed the crowd with his performance of the National Anthem when the Eagles played the Chiefs in Super Bowl 2023. He's known for big songs like "Tennessee Whiskey" and "Think I'm In Love With You," while Strait has dropped classics like "Troubadour" and "Check Yes or No." McCollum has delivered favorites such as "Pretty Heart" and "Young Man's Blues." Lincoln Financial Field (1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Tickets are $131-$561+. Visit Lovers of everything from the realm of comic books and anime to sci-fi movies will get their fill of cosplay, panel discussions, cool merchandise and meeting celebrities at the Fan Expo Philadelphia, formerly known as Wizard World. Some of the celebrities/stars on tap include William Shatner ("Star Trek"), Giancarlo Esposito ("The Mandalorian"), John Boyega ("Star Wars"), Mel Gibson ("Mad Max"), Jodie Whittaker ("Doctor Who"), Dolph Lundgren ("Rocky IV"), Mandip Gill ("Doctor Who"), Troy Baker (voice of Joel from "The Last of Us" video games) and many others. Philadelphia Convention Center (1101 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 16; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18. Tickets for the three-day package are $89 (advance) or $99 (regular). Single-day passes are $39 for Friday, $54 for Saturday, or $44 for Sunday. Visit Longwood Gardens is a hot spot to visit: The world-famous venue is still turning heads Post Malone isn't the only notable face-tatted singer coming to Philly in May. There's also Teddy Swims, who will make a stop on his tour titled "I've Tried Everything But Therapy." Swims is known for major songs like "Bed on Fire," "The Door" and "Hammer to the Heart." He made a splash in the music scene singing covers that went viral. In 2019, he uploaded a cover of Michael Jackson's hit "Rock With You" to YouTube that helped him reach a bigger audience. That cover has over 12 million views to date. Flash forward to 2023 and Swims released a live video for his song "Lose Control," which currently has over 250 million views, marking his most popular video on his YouTube channel. TD Pavilion at The Mann (5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park, Philadelphia) at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18. Tickets are $132.50+. Visit After 40 years, Metallica is still one of the hottest names in the music industry. Last year, the band gave a virtual concert in the video game "Fortnite." This year the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will bring its "M72 World Tour" to The Linc on Friday, May 23 alongside Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills. Metallica will later be joined with Suicidal Tendencies and Limp Bizkit on Sunday, May Financial Field (1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) on Friday, May 23 and Sunday, May 25. Single-day tickets are $44-$361+. Two-day tickets are $229-$380. Visit or call (215) 463-5500. After death, rapper Mac Miller floats: Thanks to Delaware man's art It seems like Post Malone does it all: rap, country and pop. The face-tatted singer, who whipped the Dover crowd into a frenzy when he headlined at Firefly in 2019, is making a nearby stop in Philly on "The BIG ASS Stadium Tour" with Jelly Roll and Sierra Ferrell. Citizens Bank Park (1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24. Tickets are $93-$511+. Visit The Roots Picnic is back for two days of hip-hop and R&B with a lineup featuring over 30 performances across two days. The lineup includes D'Angelo with The Roots, Meek Mill, Lenny Kravitz, Glorilla, Tems, Miguel, Musiq Soulchild, Jeezy and many more. Middletown's own Adam Blackstone will play a set featuring R&B legends Jagged Edge. The Mann (5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park, Philadelphia) on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. Schedule is TBA. Tickets start at $225, which includes both dates. Visit Legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr will march to the beat of his own percussion when he lands in the City of Brotherly Love. Although Ringo's biggest claim to fame was joining The Beatles in the 1960s, he's had a stellar solo career as a singer, songwriter, drummer, collaborator and producer — releasing 18 solo studio albums to date, according to his bio. The drummer also has appeared in over 15 films. TD Pavilion at The Mann (5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park, Philadelphia) at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15. Tickets are $32-$280+. Visit You'll have a chance to find some cool gifts and pickups from roughly 300 artists at the two-day Manayunk Arts Festival, which is the tri-state area's largest outdoor, juried art festival, per the festival's website. Artists will represent several different disciplines including painting and drawing, photography, wood and sculpture, fiber, glass, ceramics, jewelry and mixed media. Guests can also eat and drink food from popular Manayunk restaurants and find shade by shopping at interesting boutiques and stores in the area. Main Street Manayunk, Philadelphia from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21; and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 22. Free admission. Visit Soccer mania will invade The Linc in Philly, the Audi Field in Washington D.C., and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey where those three stadiums, out of 12 around the country, will host matches this summer for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The FIFA Club World Cup will feature 32 global teams (including Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC) for a total of 63 matches, of which Philly will host eight, D.C. will host 3, and New Jersey will host nine, including the Cup finale. Below is the schedule of matches that will be played in each three of the aforementioned stadiums, which are the closest stadiums to Delaware. Not to mention, The Linc and MetLife will also host matches for the FIFA World Cup 26 next summer. Group D: CR Flamengo v Espérance Sportive de Tunis - Monday, June 16 at 9 p.m. Group G: Manchester City v Wydad AC - Wednesday, June 18 at noon. Group D: CR Flamengo v Chelsea FC - Friday, June 20 at 2 p.m. Group G: Juventus FC v Wydad AC - Sunday, June 22 at noon. Group D: Espérance Sportive de Tunis v Chelsea FC - Tuesday, June 24 at 9 p.m. Group H: FC Salzburg v Real Madrid C. F. - Thursday, June 26 at 9 p.m. Round of 16: Group A winners v Group B runners-up - Saturday, June 28 at noon. Quarter-final: Winner match 49 v Winner match 50 - Friday, July 4 at 9 p.m. Group G: Al Ain FC v Juventus FC - Wednesday, June 18 at 9 p.m. Group H: FC Salzburg v Al Hilal - Sunday, June 22 at 6 p.m. Group G: Wydad AC v Al Ain FC - Thursday, June 26 at 3 p.m. Group A: SE Palmeiras v FC Porto - Sunday, June 15 at 6 p.m. Group F: Fluminense FC v Borussia Dortmund - Tuesday, June 17 at noon. Group A: SE Palmeiras v Al Ahly FC - Thursday, June 19 at noon. Group F: Fluminense FC v Ulsan HD - Saturday, June 21 at 6 p.m. Group A: FC Porto v Al Ahly FC - Monday, June 23 at 9 p.m. Quarter-final: Winner match 55 v Winner match 56 - Saturday, July 5 at 4 p.m. Semi-final: Winner match 57 v Winner match 58 - Tuesday, July 8 at 3 p.m. Semi-final: Winner match 59 v Winner match 60 - Wednesday, July 9 at 3 p.m. Final: Winner match 61 v Winner match 62 - Sunday, July 13 at 3 p.m. Games across all three stadiums in D.C., Philly and New Jersey will be held Sunday, June 15 to Sunday at July 13. For tickets or more info, visit If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@ Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Major spring & summer concerts, events near Delaware worth the trip
