Letter for Alumni Association President

July 2008

Spring is a busy season for the Association, and we’ve had several great events over the past few months. In March, members of the Alumni Association attended the Distinguished Scholars Weekend and selected one Alumni Scholar who will receive a half-tuition scholarship for all four years at the University. This scholarship is funded by an endowment established by the Alumni Association, and we’ve awarded scholarships to incoming freshmen with outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements since 2000. Alumni Scholars also receive book stipends, funding toward study abroad and an Alumni Enrichment Award.

On May 9, Carol Anne Cipriani and Zachary Bachrach Schafer were named the recipients of the Warner and Taylor awards, presented to the outstanding senior woman and man for their academic success, leadership and community service. On the same day, the Alumni Association recognized five alumni for their professional achievements by inducting them into the Alumni Wall of Fame. The inductees were Alex T. Bourdon, ’80EG; Arthur L. Goldstein, ’59M/EG; Elizabeth McCloy Morris, ’73CHS; Carol A. Post, ’91M/AS; and Lisa C. Rowen, ’82AS, ’82CHS. See pages 48-49 for more about all these awards.

Did you attend the first-ever UD Forum on May 10? If you missed it, I hope you’ll take the time to watch the podcast or read President Harker’s speech detailing the results of the strategic planning initiative and the University’s Path to Prominence. The online community, funded by the Alumni Association, was launched during the Forum. It provides a way to stay connected with fellow alums, get news and get involved. For details, go to [www.UDconnection.com].

I bet you’re wondering how the Alumni Association funds all of the awards, scholarships and programs benefiting students and alumni throughout the year. Over 90 percent of our income comes from your use of Bank of America alumni credit cards, debit cards and deposit accounts. The remainder is earned from your purchase of Liberty Mutual insurance, GradMed Short-term Health insurance and UD specialty license plates. Thank you for your continued support!

Lastly, I’d like to thank the board members whose terms ended June 30. They are Jennifer Orendorf Baur ’95, Robert Donato ’88, Gail Dick Keller ’71, James Keller ’93, Sarah Allmond Long ’80 and Amar Tailor ’92. Thank you for your time, ideas and talent.

Sincerely,

Shanté Stargell Hastings ’00EG
President, UD Alumni Association