Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University (DSU), and a University of Delaware alumnus, will examine the concept of US government and the words "a more perfect union" from the preamble to the U.S. Constitution as the speaker for this year’s James R. Soles Lecture on the Constitution and Citizenship. The event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 4 p.m. in the Audion at the Tower at STAR, hosted by the Department of Political Science and International Relations.

Registration is required by Sunday, Sept. 20..

President Allen, who earned his undergraduate degree in political science and doctoral degree in urban affairs and public policy from UD, has led DSU for six years. He joined the highly ranked historically Black College and University (HBCU) in 2017 as Executive Vice President and Provost. During his tenure DSU has expanded its physical footprint, research profile and enrollment. 

Allen is also the founding chairman of eHBCU, the country’s largest online consortium of HBCUs. eHBCU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, and professional certifications. All courses are taught by professors in the consortium. 

Allen began his career as a speechwriter for then-Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. In 2020 he served on President Biden’s transition team and was named Chief Executive Officer of the 59th Presidential Inaugural. He chaired the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs and advised the administration on its historic $18 billion investment in HBCUs. 

The James R. Soles Lecture is held annually around Constitution Day, which commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on Sept. 17, 1787. The event honors the deep impact Soles, a political science faculty member for more than 34 years, had on generations of UD students, faculty, staff and the state of Delaware.