Delaware State University (DSU) enjoys a long history as one of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Founded in 1891 as the State College for Colored Students, DSU is proud of our heritage as one of the country’s first land-grant educational institutions. Today, we’re a welcome center of learning for students from many backgrounds. Our current population includes a 63% African-American enrollment and an increasing number of Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian and other international students.
The department of Wellness & Recreation lives within the Division of Student Affairs and oversees the Wellness and Recreation Center, The Martin Luther King Student Center, Outdoor Sports Complex and the campus events office. The Wellness and Recreation Center offers a wide range of activities for students as well as faculty and staff, such as intramural sports, sport clubs, group fitness classes, employee fitness programs, aquatics classes and much more. Five professional staff and 150 student staff workers work together to deliver outstanding recreational opportunities to 5,034 traditional and nontraditional students.
About Lamont Foreman Jr.
One of the Department of Wellness Recreation and Campus Events professionals at Delaware State University is NIRSA member LaMont Foreman, Jr., Assistant Director of Competitive Sports and Facilities. LaMont got his start in campus recreation as an intramural referee; he is now responsible for overseeing The Wellness and Recreation Center and the Martin Luther King Student Center. LaMont also oversees the facility and maintenance for both facilities as well as the competitive sports component areas.
When asked what LaMont enjoys most about working at an HBCU, he says, it’s “being able to give back to the institution that he graduated from.” As a student, LaMont watched the buildings he now manages be built. He adds, “it is a great honor to manage the upkeep of these facilities.” He also goes on to say, “helping students find their footing in a world that has the odds stacked against them is what I enjoy most.”
When asked why LaMont volunteers for NIRSA and the HBCU Committees, he answers: “It is important that we as professionals never lose sight of the impact we have on our students. Many of us are graduates of HBCUs, and we are aware of the struggles familiar with trying to make our mark on the world. Attending a HBCU and now being able to volunteer for NIRSA as well as HBCU-Committees gives me a chance to give back and have my voice heard and hopefully it will help better my university and other universities alike.
- For more information about the Department of Wellness Recreation and Campus Events at Delaware State University, contact LaMont Foreman, Jr, Assistant Director of Competitive Sports and Facilities by email at lforeman@desu.edu. For more information about the NIRSA HBCU Committee, contact any of the members serving on this volunteer leadership group.
- If you are interested in highlighting your campus or a NIRSA member’s achievements on your campus, pitch us your ideas.
Taylor Dampeer is currently the Assistant Athletic Director, Wellness & Recreational Services, Department of Athletics & Recreational Services at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and current HBCU Committee member.
