Delaware State University Board of Trustees Welcomes Two New Members
December 9, 2024
The Delaware State University (DSU) Board of Trustees officially welcomed two distinguished new members, Wilmington Mayor Michael S. Purzycki and attorney Tetra S. Shockley, Esquire, during its December 5 retreat.
Mayor Michael S. Purzycki
Mayor Michael S. Purzycki joins the Board as he concludes his tenure as a two-term Mayor of Wilmington, Delaware. Under his leadership, the city saw nearly $1 billion in private investment, spurring economic growth and revitalization in Wilmington’s downtown and riverfront. Mayor Purzycki also prioritized public spaces, allocating $14 million to enhance neighborhood parks and community areas.
Before his time as mayor, Purzycki served as the executive director of the Riverfront Development Corporation, where he spearheaded the transformation of the Christina River area. Additionally, he spent a decade as Chairman of the Wilmington Hope Commission, leading efforts that resulted in the creation of the Achievement Center, which aids formerly incarcerated individuals in reentering society.
A University of Delaware alumnus, Purzycki earned a bachelor’s degree in history and made his mark as a record-setting receiver on the Blue Hens football team. He later earned a Juris Doctor from Delaware Law School and practiced law for over 10 years, including serving as an attorney for the Delaware State Senate. His political experience also includes nine years as a New Castle County Council member. Notably, Purzycki’s brother, Joe Purzycki, coached DSU’s football team from 1981 to 1984.
New DSU Board members Tetra Shockley and Mayor Michael S. Purzycki. Courtesy of Delaware State University.
Tetra S. Shockley, Esquire
Tetra S. Shockley, Esquire, a prominent Delaware attorney, brings a wealth of legal expertise to the Board. A DSU alumna, Shockley graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management before earning an MBA in Executive Leadership from Wesley College. She later completed her Juris Doctor at Widener University School of Law in 2012.
Shockley is a law partner at Benton & Shockley Law, P.A., where she specializes in family law and personal injury cases. She also serves on several prestigious committees, including the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners, the Delaware State Bar Association’s Committee on Nominations, and the Court of the Judiciary’s Preliminary Investigatory Committee. Shockley is the Vice President of the Kent County Bar Association and is licensed to practice law in Delaware and New Jersey.
Beyond her legal career, Shockley is an author and inspirational speaker, having penned The Solitaire: Set Aside, Set Apart, Set Free in 2017. She is also deeply involved in her faith community as a Minister-in-Training at The Family Church in Voorhees, New Jersey.
Shockley is a decorated pageant competitor, holding titles such as Mrs. Cosmos United States 2019 and three-time Mrs. Delaware America (2016, 2021, and 2024).
New Appointments
Mayor Purzycki succeeds former Trustee Gov. Michael N. Castle, while Mrs. Shockley fills the seat vacated by Dr. Devona Williams. Both were appointed by Governor John Carney.
The addition of Purzycki and Shockley further strengthens the DSU Board of Trustees, bringing a blend of seasoned leadership and community-focused expertise to support the university’s mission.