Student Aiden Tilery to Deliver the 2026 Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture
WCU senior Aiden N. Tilery will deliver the Seventh Annual Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture on Tuesday, October 20, at 3 p.m. in Philips Autograph Library in Philips Memorial
Building, South High Street at University Avenue. The program is free and open to
the community.
Tilery is the first currently enrolled student to deliver this prestigious lecture. His topic is “Self-Empowerment through Education: Becoming 21st Century Students of the Scholar Frederick Douglass.”
Tilery is the son of Elizabeth DeBaptiste, nephew of Borough of West Chester Mayor Lillian L. DeBaptiste, and great-grandson of Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste. This lecture series is named for and is made possible through the generous gift of Dr. DeBaptiste, the first African‐American mayor of West Chester Borough and a recognized champion of education.
Tilery is majoring in business management and, with a strong commitment to his family, intends to join his family business, the DeBaptiste Funeral Home. Following his graduation in May 2027, he plans to begin his Funeral and Mortuary Science Studies at Northhampton Community College.
A lifelong resident of the West Chester borough community, Tilery completed most of his early education in the West Chester Area School District and graduated from West Chester East High School. His goals include continuing to educate himself and work toward inner growth to give back to the West Chester community.
Throughout his college experience, Tilery has worked full time as store manager, splitting his time between developing himself both at the University and at work. He has always had a love for literature, writing, and music. He has a passion for discovering new things and constantly works toward being a better student, leader, and person.
Tilery has experienced mental health difficulties for much of his life and, through that, he has developed a passion for mental health advocacy and servant leadership, doing his best to value people and their well-being. He enjoys spending his free time with friends and family, including his parents and three brothers, Christopher, Benjamin, and Manzi, supporting each other.
The lecture is hosted by the University’s Frederick Douglass Institute. In a fitting tribute to the great abolitionist, orator, and statesman, this annual lecture examines issues of social justice to improve the present by learning from the past. It also commemorates Frederick Douglass’ last public lecture on WCU’s campus, near the statue erected in 2013 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
For more information, email fdouglass@wcupa.edu.