The University's first-ever comprehensive fund-raising effort for private support, the Campaign for Delaware, announced in October 1998, set a goal of raising $225 million in support of the University's seven colleges, the library and intercollegiate athletics. In less than half the five-year campaign term, according to University President David P. Roselle, the Campaign for Delaware has raised more than $252 million!

"At the end of the campaign period in October 2003, we are confident that we will be able to report that we have raised substantially more than $225 million, and also that we have achieved a litany of institutional improvements that are the direct result of the generosity of alumni and friends of the University of Delaware," Roselle says.

The $225 million goal included $50 million for student support, $35 million for faculty support, $40 million for academic program support, $50 million in capital support and $50 million in expendable gifts to the University.

The University is in 11th place nationally for the number of baccalaureate graduates in chemistry who go on to receive Ph.D. degrees in that subject.

According to John Burmeister, professor of chemistry, during the 10-year period from 1989 to 1998, 90 UD chemistry undergraduates continued their education and were awarded doctoral degrees. "This is no mean feat," he says, "given the fact that a whopping 1,012 schools produced at least one graduate who went on to earn a doctorate in chemistry during that period."

There is a new No. 1 team at UD--the Division I collegiate cheerleading champions. The University of Delaware's award-winning cheerleading team took first place at the Universal Cheerleading, Dance Team and Mascot (UCA) National Championships, held Jan. 11-14 at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

UD's dance team and mascot YoUDee both placed fourth in the national competition.

The first-place victory performance by UD's cheerleading squad in the 23-team competition also signaled the end of a decade-long reign by Kentucky's Morehead State University.

UD's cheerleading squad came to the championships ranked third on the basis of a video competition, where overall scores are based on individual and team performances and account for 15 percent of a team's final point tally.

The hardest thing for the cheerleading team at the finals was believing they had actually won, Coach Joe Mackley says.

"It took a full 15 minutes to get us off the floor after we were announced as winners," Mackley says. "I don't think we have landed yet."

Nearly 78 years ago, Delaware became the first university to initiate a foreign study program when eight UD juniors, under the guidance of Prof. Raymond Kirkbride, sailed for France.

Today, UD continues to be a leader in international education. A recent report of the Institute of International Education ranks UD 10th in the nation for the percentage of students who study abroad. Looking at the number of students who study abroad in terms of total enrollment, UD ranks seventh in the nation.

Further support for UD's study-abroad program has come from the Starr Foundation, which has made a generous gift supporting scholarships for foreign study, increasing the possibility of travel for more of the student body.

With eight members, the University has more Horatio Alger scholars enrolled than any other educational institution in the U.S.

The four-year Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans scholarship program is awarded to high school seniors who would not be able to attend college without financial aid. The recipients must have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives and must intend to use their college degrees in the service of others.

UD scholars, all from Delaware, include Catherine D. Asem, HNS 2004, Newark, majoring in medical technology; Michael R. Bender, AG 2001, Harrington; Sheena M. Benton, AS 2003, Houston; Amber A. Christopher, CHEP 2002, New Castle, majoring in elementary and special education; Jonathan Gibson, AS 2001, Georgetown, majoring in criminal justice; Michele Keough, HNS 2003, Bridgeville, majoring in fitness management; Robert Klenk, AS 2004, Hockessin, majoring in biology; and Lauren R.C. Tooley, AS 2004, Milton, majoring in psychology or individual and family studies.

The University's Student Health Services has received a three-year national accreditation, the best rating, from the private nonprofit organization, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

The AAAHC survey team made an on-site visit in October, looking at such areas as quality of care and quality management and improvement, clinical records, surgical and pharmaceutical services, environmental safety, governance, administration and professional development.

In addition, the Student Health Services recently has taken several actions to better serve the health-care needs of women students. Two part-time practitioners have been added to the staff to provide additional gynecology care. Other services are being enhanced. State-of-the-art Pap smear testing using THIN PREP® technology is being promoted aggressively, and emergency contraception medication was introduced in February.

Sprinklers will be installed in all residence halls at the University by the fall of 2004.

Currently, all residence hall buildings have smoke detection systems and are fully in compliance with fire codes.

The $9 million cost of the sprinkler project will be borrowed and then repaid from residence hall fees.