Messenger - Vol. 3, No. 1, Page 23 Fall 1993 A new chapter for Delaware alumni Peggy Bedingfield Sullivan, Delaware '71, has returned to the Office of Alumni and University Relations as an alumni associate with responsibility for the University's nationwide alumni chapter program. Sullivan, who previously served on the alumni relations staff from 1979-87, was a conference specialist in the University's Division of Continuing Education for the last six years. In her new position, she is developing a cadre of volunteer coordinators, with whom she will work to organize activities in geographic areas with large concentrations of alumni. There currently are 36 alumni chapters across the country. In the community, Sullivan is an 11-year committee member of the Delaware All-Star High School Football Game, serving as chairperson for the 1991 game. This event, sponsored by the Delaware Foundation for Retarded Children, is now in its 38th year and has raised over $4 million. More than 130 candidates applied for the alumni associate position, which became open when Benson H. Cook Jr., Delaware '89, accepted a position as special projects coordinator in the College of Engineering. UD alumni are automatically members of the Alumni Association, Sullivan said, and they are also automatically members of any chapter established near where they live. "Alumni chapters affirm the connection between our alumni and their University," Sullivan explained, "and the connection is a mutually beneficial one. The chapter program demonstrates the University's commitment to its alumni, and alumni involvement shows their caring and concern for their alma mater. "Chapters help alumni keep informed about the University of Delaware-the achievements of its faculty and students, and importantly, the achievements of their fellow alumni. Life at the University can be kept alive for individuals who rarely get a chance to return to campus, and the chapter get-togethers provide opportunities to see old friends and to make new ones," she said. At the same time, Sullivan said, chapters can help generate support for the University. In addition to the critically important financial support, alumni can assist with relocation and job placement of recent graduates and with recruitment of new students. Notices of chapter events are distributed by postal zip code so an accurate address on file with the Office of Alumni and University Relations is important, she said. If alumni spend the winter months in Florida, for example, they can be notified of Florida chapter events by alerting Sullivan. Chapter events are wide ranging, Sullivan said, and have included dinners, receptions, boat cruises, pre- and post-game football receptions, concerts, lunches, picnics and theatre outings. University representatives attend most chapter events, including President David P. Roselle and Louise Roselle, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Charles Forbes, Director of Alumni and University Relations Robert R. Davis, head football coach Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond, Athletic Director Edgar Johnson and Sullivan. Upcoming chapter events are numerous. * New England alumni will hold a pre-game brunch before the Northeastern football game Nov. 20, and the Boston Chapter will hold a dinner that evening at the Westin Hotel in Waltham, Mass. * The Northern New Jersey Chapter will hold a dinner Dec. 15 at The Manor Restaurant in West Orange, with special guests David and Louise Roselle, Charles Forbes, Robert Davis and Peggy Sullivan bringing news from the campus. * Alumni in the Cecil County (Md.) and Southern New Jersey chapters will attend the men's basketball game against Northeastern in the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark Jan. 23, with a post-game reception. * Center City Philadelphia and Mainline Philadelphia chapters will attend the men's basketball game against Drexel in the Carpenter Center Feb. 5. * The Washington, D.C., Chapter will watch the Hens' basketball game vs. Vermont Feb. 13. * Sussex County and Kent County (Del.) chapters will see the Hens vs. New Hampshire on Feb. 27. * In early January, tentative plans call for Athletic Director Edgar Johnson and Alumni Distinguished Prof. John Burmeister to meet with the Dallas and Houston chapters and head coach Tubby Raymond, Delaware '65, to attend functions of the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco chapters. * The East Coast of Florida Chapter will host a dinner for President and Mrs. Roselle Feb. 3, and the Roselles will also meet for a luncheon Feb. 5 with the West Coast of Florida alumni. (Please advise Sullivan of your address if you winter in Florida.) An Atlanta Chapter outing also may be tied in with this trip. * Baltimore alumni will host a gathering March 17 for President Roselle and men's head lacrosse coach Bob Shillinglaw. * The Lancaster (Pa.) Chapter will meet April 28 with men's head basketball coach Steve Steinwedel and women's head coach Joyce Emory Perry, Delaware '73, '79M, and some of their players. Other chapter outings are being scheduled, and notices will be mailed to all alumni in the areas. For more information on chapter activities or if you would like to help form a chapter in your area, contact Sullivan at the Office of Alumni and University Relations, telephone (302) 831-2341. See page 24 for a list of alumni chapters and coordinators.