Excitement reigns, sky opens for newest graduates

Despite inclement weather, excitement reigned in Delaware Stadium as family members and friends cheered as the blue-gowned graduates processed to their seats at UD's 152nd Commencement.

In a shortened ceremony because of the weather, President David P. Roselle welcomed the members of the Class of 2001 and their guests, conferred degrees and then introduced the featured speaker, historian and author David McCullough.

Among those in Delaware Stadium to hear McCullough's remarks were alumni delegates representing classes from the 1930s through 2000. Continuing a UD tradition, the alumni representatives were led
into Delaware Stadium by Sherri Freeman, Tom Pellathy and
Matthew Schwartz, members of the Class of 2001 and this year's recipients of the Alumni Association's Warner
and Taylor
awards, which recognize, respectively, the outstanding senior woman and men.

Three students– Jennifer May Buckley of Wilmington, Matthew P. Huenerfauth of Springfield, Pa., and Dana Nicole Smith Nipe of Elkton, Md.–were the high-index seniors, achieving the highest cumulative grade index in full-time study for a baccalaureate degree at the University.

After the singing of the alma mater by senior members of UD's a cappella groups, heavy rain returned, and Roselle announced the formal end of UD's abbreviated graduation. Graduates and guests left Delaware Stadium and headed to college and department convocations scheduled on campus throughout the day.