The Claflin University Orange and Maroon runs deep for this year’s Homecoming Parade Marshals George and Delores Dudley.

Both graduates of Claflin, the couple married after Delores graduated from Claflin in 1965, one year after George graduated. They both started out as educators but George found his niche in computers. After serving in the military, George honed his computer skills, eventually spending 27 successful years as a Computer Systems Analyst with the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC).

Meanwhile, Delores enjoyed a career in education that resulted in her also being a mentor, tutor and a mainstay in the Washington, D.C. public school system. An English teacher, Delores’ instruction reached outside her classroom walls and beyond retirement as she provided tutorial services to Asian and Hispanic students in reading and writing skills; worked as a classroom observer documenting data for an early intervention reading research project that targeted at-risk students; served as a mentor to new teachers in D.C. public schools; and tutored third, fourth and fifth graders at the Germantown, Maryland Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

The couple is active in the church and community. Mr. Dudley was a guest soloist in special musical productions throughout the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. In retirement, he volunteers at his grandson’s school and is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Mrs. Dudley actively promoted programs to serve the educational and recreational needs of neighborhood, youth and children. She volunteered as a substitute teacher and helped to plan activities for the evening adult education classes and established and coordinated an after school tutorial program for students from the church community.

Devoted members of the Washington D.C. Chapter of Claflin University International Alumni Association, the Dudleys have hosted numerous meetings for the chapter, assisted in planning events, chaired fundraising projects and served on numerous committees promoting Claflin. Mr. Dudley is a past president and presently holds the position of Vice-President.

George and Delores Dudley have one daughter, Kristina, and two grandchildren, Tyrese and Kyra.

The couple will lead the Claflin University Homecoming Parade, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, from Amelia and Seaboard Streets through the downtown area of Orangeburg.