DSU
alumnus Matthew W. Horace, class of ’85, said he needed to figure out how to
give back to his alma mater in meaningful way.
The
21-year veteran of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives took
over as the Special Agent in Charge of its newly created Newark, N.J. Field
Division in early 2008. After he received a briefing in that capacity on the
fatal shooting of DSU students in 2007 in that city, Horace said he found “a
cause worth pursuing.”
DSU Acting President Claibourne D. Smith and alumnus Matt Horace
hold a display check representing the first installment of a newly established
scholarship endowment.
The
alumnus is establishing a $10,000 Horace Foundation Endowment to provide
scholarships to DSU criminal justice majors in memory of three students –
Terrance Aeriel, Dashon J.I. Harvey and Lofemi Hightower – who were shot
execution-style on a Newark school playground just weeks before they were to
begin their 2007 fall semesters at DSU. The students were simply enjoying each
other’s company along with DSU student Natasha Aeriel when a gang accosted them
in an apparent armed robbery and brutally shot them. Ms. Aeriel, Terrance’s
sister, was wounded but miraculously survived the shooting.
“By all
accounts, they were good kids with bright futures,” Mr. Horace said. “This
endowment is being set up to help kids who are pursuing criminal justice
degrees, and hopefully will help make it possible for such students to make a
difference, or even possible to solve or prevent such crimes.”
Mr.
Horace announced the endowment during the October 23rd DSU Alumni Association Legacy
Banquet and Hall of Fame Inductions held at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
Rollins Center. The ATF special agent, who earned a 1985 BA in English from
then-Delaware State College, was one of the DSUAA’s 2009 inductees for his
achievements in government and law.
He was
also a Hornet offensive lineman under then-Head Football Coach Joe Purzycki,
who introduced Mr. Horace during the induction program.
In
addition to his ATF career, Mr. Horace is also a certified leadership
consultant for FranklinCovey and accomplished public and motivational speaker.
He says DSU has been a significant factor in his success. “My professional
development started at DSU,” he said. “It taught me something about making a
difference.”
He said
the Horace Foundation Endowed Scholarship is a way in which other alumni can
make a difference as well. Mr. Horace said he hopes other alumni will be
inspired to continue the endowment’s growth and thereby help more DSU criminal
justice majors achieve their degree and professional aspirations.
“I think
people want to give, but also want to know they are giving to a specific
cause,” Mr. Horace said. “I am hopeful that there are alumni who will find this
endowment a worthy cause.”
The
stated mission of Horace Foundation Endowment for Criminal Justice Studies is
to develop “educated, confident and caring leaders” who will share the values
of law enforcement and contribute to the profession’s excellence.
To
contribute to the Horace Foundation Endowed Scholarship, go to www.desu.edu/giving.
To contact the foundation, email horacefoundation@rcn.com or horacefoundation@gmail.com .
