New slate of officers seated; Marcus Beal of Delmarva Power joins as newest trustee
DOVER, Del. (June 2026). The Delaware State University Board of Trustees has elected John Ridgeway, a 1975 graduate of the University, as its incoming Chair, the centerpiece of a new slate of officers seated at the Board’s end of year meeting on June 18.
“John Ridgeway and I have worked side by side since my days as provost, and I know exactly the kind of chair he will be: forward looking, disciplined, and clear eyed about the work that belongs to a board,” said University President Tony Allen. “Great boards govern strategy and steward the institution, its vision, and their duty of care, loyalty, and fiduciary responsibility, while resisting the pull of the day to day. That is precisely where John intends to lead, and it is why I am so bullish on the road ahead. We are fortunate to have him.”
Ridgeway brings more than three decades of corporate leadership to the role. He built his career in executive operations management, most notably at Toyota Financial Services, where he led hundreds of associates across the East Coast and championed the company’s Kaizen continuous improvement programs. A devoted son of his alma mater, he chaired the University’s Business Advisory Council for the College of Business, was inducted into the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame, and was named the University’s Distinguished Alumnus for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He has served two terms on the Board, including as Vice Chair and as chair of its Presidential Search and 130th Anniversary committees.
At the same meeting, the Board administered the trustee’s oath to its newest member, Marcus Beal. A Sussex County resident, Beal is Vice President of Governmental and External Affairs and Regional President for Delmarva Power, a Pepco Holdings company, where he leads external affairs and oversees service to hundreds of thousands of customers across the First State. Beal began his career as an intern at the utility nearly two decades ago and now serves on numerous regional and civic boards. Delmarva Power is the University’s longest continuous corporate contributor.
The Board also seated its officers for the 2026 to 2027 year:
Vice Chairs: Colonel Debbie Harrington, U.S. Army (Retired), and Bernadette Dorsey Whatley, an executive with JPMorgan Chase
Treasurer: Chip Rossi, retired Market President for Bank of America
University Secretary: Tamara Stoner
Their terms begin July 1. Trustee Norman Griffiths, who has concluded his service as Vice Chair, will step away from the Executive Committee while continuing to serve as Chair of the Board’s Governance Committee.
The new leadership follows the conclusion of the chairmanship of Leroy Tice, Esquire, the Board’s longest serving trustee, whom the University honored at the meeting for his years of service and stewardship. “We are grateful to Chairman Tice and energized by what comes next,” Allen said. “This is a strong, engaged board, ready for the work ahead.”
About Delaware State University
Founded in 1891, Delaware State University is a public, land grant, R2 research institution and the nation’s most diverse contemporary Historically Black College and University. Under President Tony Allen, DSU has grown to a record enrollment of approximately 6,600 students and expanded its research enterprise to $50 million.
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