University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
The Messenger
Vol. 6, No. 1/1996
Recognition: A Special Report
UD trustees honor the Roselles for their first five years at Delaware

     The University of Delaware Board of Trustees began the
1995-96 academic year with the surprise announcement of its
unprecedented action to recognize and celebrate the
leadership,service and contributions of President David P. Roselle and
hiswife, Louise, during their first five years at Delaware.
     Board Chairman Andrew B. Kirkpatrick Jr. used the
occasion of the New Student Convocation on Aug. 28 to-"in a very
public way"-recognize President and Mrs. Roselle for their
successes since coming to the UD in 1990.
     "For the past five years, every possible opportunity
has been seized for this University as a result of the Roselle
administration. In this, a remarkable-really unparalleled-
ability has been demonstrated...in the leadership of higher
education, David and Louise Roselle are 'the top'!" Kirkpatrick said,
alluding to the Cole Porter standard.
     The Roselles "have enhanced all aspects of life at the
University of Delaware," he said, "and they have done this
with a keen sense of the University's rich past and an unwavering
optimism about its future."
     To make the fifth-year anniversary recognition
especially meaningful, the board chose to focus on scholarship and
campus beautification-two areas of special interest and
accomplishment for the Roselles, Kirkpatrick said.
     In the area of scholarship, he said, all incoming Honors Program 
students whose application essays receive an A grade from the faculty 
evaluating committee will be called Presidential Scholars, in honor of 
the president's commitment to attract student scholars.
     For campus beautification, the trustees chose the area bordered by 
Alison Hall, the library, the tennis and basketball courts and the 
Perkins Student Center, to receive a major upgrade in landscaping, 
lighting and walkways-financed by a private source.
     Applying objective measures to the Roselles' first five years, 
Kirkpatrick said, the "caliber of the Roselle administration becomes 
strikingly clear."
     For example, he said, University and private funds for 
undergraduate scholarship aid have increased by 80 percent,
going from $10.5 million to $18.9 million. More than 50 percent of
this year's incoming freshmen are receiving some of this
increased support, Kirkpatrick said.
     "Gift income to the University has seen an equally impressive 
increase," the chairman said, "going from $12.5 million in 1990 to $22.8 
million last year, providing precious enhancements for this  
institution."
     Kirkpatrick also cited:

     *    An increase in combined grant expenditures for
          instruction, research, extension and public service,
          which increased from $40 million in 1990 to $61 million 
          last year;
     *    A dramatic upgrade in campus technology during the
          period, with all residence hall rooms, classrooms and
          offices now directly wired into the campus network-a
          network that last year received the national CAUSE 
          Excellence in Networking Award; and
     *    A rise in faculty compensation during the past
          five years to above the median of 24 doctoral degree-
          granting universities in the mid-Atlantic region, with
          comparable gains for professional and salaried staff
          members, enabling the University to retain and attract
          highly qualified employees.

     Kirkpatrick also listed several major construction projects either 
completed or under way in the Roselle adminintration, including the Bob 
Carpenter Sports/ Convocation Center; the Student Services Building, now 
a model for other universities; the Lammot du Pont Laboratory; the  
addition to Colburn Laboratory; the soon-to-be-opened student center; 
the significant expansion of facilities for the College of Business and 
Economics; and the new classroom building on the Mall, made possible by 
a generous gift from the Gore family of Newark.
     In addition, Kirkpatrick talked of campus beautification projects, 
including enhanced walkways, benches, outdoor lighting and plantings.
     "Roselle management, indeed, touches every part of the campus and 
campus life," said Kirkpatrick, who also praised the couple's  
hospitality. "The thousands of guests who come to their house each year 
are all treated to the Roselles' special style, making everyone feel 
welcome and appreciated," he said.