Frankie Reddick Manley, Class of 1979, was the epitome of a faithful alumna of Delaware State University.
She channeled her love and passion for her alma mater through her work as an officer of the Greater Hampton Roads Chapter of the DSU Alumni Association, her faithful financial support of the institution over the last 16 years, as well as her regular participation in a wide variety of University events.
Frankie’s selection as the University’s 2021 Distinguished Alumni of the Year was hardly a surprise to anyone connected and engaged with Delaware State University. However, with the COVID-related cancellation of the 2021 MEAC Basketball Tournament where the presentation of that honor annually takes place, the University chose to extend her honor to the 2022 MEAC Tourney.
Sadly, Ms. Manley passed away on Jan. 23, almost two months before she would have walked out on the MEAC Tourney basketball court to receive her much deserved Hornet and conference honors.
In her place, her son Darius accepted the award on behalf of his late mother during the Distinguished Alumni presentations at halftime of the evening March 10 MEAC Tournament game at the Scopes Arena in Norfolk, Va.
Born on Feb. 27, 1956, in Norfolk, Va., after completing her education at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Va., Ms. Manley continued pursuing her aspirations by enrolling in then-Delaware State College where she was a member of the band and the gospel choir. Frankie was also a member of the pilot program that created residence hall assistant positions on campus, proudly serving in that capacity in three women’s dormitories.
After graduating in 1979 with a B.S. in History and a minor in Social Sciences from Del State, Ms. Manley became the first African American female Residence Hall Director in Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.
Ms. Manley began her professional career teaching at Tidewater Tech, where she was later elevated to Placement Director and Director of Education at that institution’s Chesapeake Campus. From there, she moved on to become a Senior Specialized Patient Trainer at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she taught communication skills to medical students, physicians, physical therapists, and nurses. Ms. Manley was also a 24-year Licensed Realtor for Century 21, where she was a multi-year million-dollar agent.
Throughout her life, her alma mater remained a lifelong prominent concern of her heart, Ms. Manley was a prolifically active alumna. She was an annual attendee of the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame induction. She coordinated the alumni participation in a focus group that was a major step that led to the publication of In My Words, a collection of alumni recollections of their Del State years.
Armetris Howard, ’78, was an undergraduate of contemporary of Frankie, and from that point on was a close friend. She said her commitment to Delaware State University was a reflection of the love she had for the institution
“She was a smart, loyal and trustworthy woman,†Ms. Howard said. “The things she loved she really loved, and she tried her best to support.
Ms. Manley served as a treasurer and program coordinator for the Greater Hampton Roads Chapter of the Delaware State University Alumni Association and was instrumental in numerous University-related events at the annual MEAC Basketball Tournament. She also spearheaded alumni holiday events, designed Hornet merchandise, and was one of the organizers of the first Southeast Regional Alumni Weekend in Virginia Beach.
Ms. Manley was anchored in her faith, evidenced by the life she led as well as her lifelong membership at Greater Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Norfolk, where she served as a Deaconess, Steward, Missionary, Usher, Choir Member, and in other ministries. Her inspirational example and loving guidance can be seen in her son Marine Master Sgt. Darius Manley, her daughter Kisha Riddick Nichols, and her grandchildren, Jamyiah and Jaquori.
