Donor Spotlight
Ida Mae R. Ellis was born on the land that is home to the Jack F. Owens Campus of Delaware Tech. When she was a young child, her family farmed the acres where so many Delawareans have since received their college educations. Today, she remains a close neighbor and friend as she has lived in the house adjacent to the college for almost 60 years.
It was in the late 1940s that the family sold much of its land to the state of Delaware. Mrs. Ellis then watched the construction of William C. Jason High School, the first African-American secondary school in Sussex County, which opened its doors to students in the fall of 1950.
After the high school closed in 1967, the building became the birthplace of the new state college, Delaware Technical Institute, which was later renamed Delaware Technical & Community College.
Mrs. Ellis has been an ardent supporter for many years. She has donated funds for campus improvements such as the border plantings that line some of the campus sidewalks, the brick walls and fountain that mark the main campus entrance, and the table umbrellas and fountain that decorate the courtyard of the Arts & Science Center.
She contributed to the Owens Campus scholarship fund and has served on its selection committee, and was a member of the Owens Campus Development Council. Mrs. Ellis also is a financial supporter of Starry, Starry Night, the annual gala and major fundraiser of the campus.
"It's a wonderful event (Starry, Starry Night), and it gets better every year," she says. "I look at it as an opportunity to help the college make new friends."
Mrs. Ellis has a unique love for Delaware Tech and believes without doubt that the college can make a difference in the lives of its students. She has demonstrated strong leadership in giving to the college and that generosity is deeply appreciated. Delaware Technical & Community College is honored to call Mrs. Ellis a friend and neighbor.
"Delaware Tech has earned my trust and support by consistently demonstrating they are true to their mission of educating Sussex Countians through quality programs with quality people. I am committed to supporting their great work."
Ida Mae Ellis
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