The founder and first president was the late Robert E. (Bob) Harvey, a most capable, dedicated, loyal, and fierce Viking of passion for his beloved Alma Mater, as there ever was. He immediately provided strong leadership and vision for the chapter, set very high standards, and launched expansive, futuristic goals which he believed would be most advantageous to the alumni locally and nationally, as well as to the University.

With these objections in mind, a $200,000 insurance policy was put in place, along with a trust fund established to administer the trust. Four years following the chapter's inception, Tri-State Alumni presented the policy as a gift to the University-- May of l981. Needless to say, our members felt a deep sense of pride at our accomplishment. And how our hearts did swell when we were named "Alumni Chapter of the Year"!. Through creative management and astuteness, the chapter paid the premiums directly for the next eight years. By then there was sufficient money to amortize the policy --- the dividends would be sufficient to pay the premiums until the policy's maturity, and the Chapter could commit its resources directly to providing scholarships to students , especially from the Tri-State area.

The first student for whom we paid full tuition for four years, Melissa Cherry, was from Pleasantville, New Jersey.

The Chapter also set up a Tri-State Alumni Scholarship Fund at the University through the ECSU Foundation. This fund is for students only from the Tri-State area who are in need of financial assistance. In the 2005-2006 academic year, $2000.00 was allocated for scholarships. In addition, nearly $2000,00 more was awarded to students from our local treasury.

In addition, our Chapter has continued to have full participation in the National Alumni Association--two members having served as National Alumni Association president: our founder, Bob, and Dr. Ruby L. Perkins. Some members have served on our Board of Directors and National Alumni Association committees.

In 2002, the Chapter applied to the National Alumni Association to change our name to "Robert E. Harvey Tri-State Alumni Chapter (DE,NJ, PA) of ECSU ", to honor one who had given so much of his love and talents to start us and guide our early development, and continued to provide whatever resources he could to help us be a chapter of distinction.

Bob entered into Eternal Rest just hours before the official naming ceremony held at our annual scholarship celebration. We are grateful, however, that the Chapter had announced our decision to him while he could know just how much we appreciated and loved him.
We continue in the tradition of our founding principles.

We have a very strong commitment to our national alumni association, the University, and students whose endeavors we strongly support. We reach out to alumni in the area to encourage their participation for these necessary causes. We reach out to parents of our students and to anyone who is willing to join us as an associate member to help us further the dire need to educate our youth.
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In the Spirit of Viking Pride, we shall continue to lift our standards high and always "HEAR WHEN DUTY CALLS".