Delphine Metcalf-Foster
Delphine Metcalf-Foster
National Commander, California Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

Sonoma State

Bachelor of Arts, Hutchins, Liberal Studies (2001)
  • An Army veteran with 21 years of military service, Delphine retired as a first sergeant in 1991 after serving in the Gulf War. Upon retirement, she joined her local Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Soon after, she began the Hutchins program at Sonoma State University. “I give a lot of credence to Sonoma State," she says. "It opened my eyes to what was going on in the world." When approached to pursue candidacy for Commander of the California DAV, Delphine committed to earning her degree, postponing her campaign for a year.
  • Between 2010 and 2017, Delphine held the positions of senior and junior vice commander of the DAV. She was the first woman to hold these roles, both of which are required to ascend to the position of DAV National Commander. Unanimously elected in August 2017, she is the first female to hold the position in the national DAV’s 98-year history and the first female state commander in the 81-year history of California's DAV organization. 
  • This highly decorated combat soldier-- Delphine has been awarded an Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Army Achievement Medal -- has also spent countless hours volunteering at the Mare Island VA clinic and with teen moms and at speaking engagements in which she shares her experience as a female combat soldier. She especially wants to reach young people. “A child cannot be what a child cannot see," she notes. "I felt it was important to share my military experiences so our young people had an example.”
  • Delphine has diligently advocated for VA services and promotes the issues of all veterans. She served four years on a veterans' advisory board in Washington D.C., working with Senators and other political leaders.

Notable CSU Alumni in public service

public service
Sonoma