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Sept. 6, 2002--The Class of 1952 has been celebrating its 50th anniversary with enthusiasm and spirit all this past year.
At the Alumni Spring Luncheon, with more than 200 alumni attending, 43 members of the Class of 1952 were inducted into the Gold Guard for all alumni with 50 years or more of alumni status. The event began with a reception at the President’s House, followed by luncheon at the Trabant University Center and a bus tour of the campus, concluding with tea in MBNA America Hall.
The class also participated in the Alumni Delegate Procession at Commencement in May, led by Dick and Ellen McQuaid Harris, who were senior class president and vice president, respectively.
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| The Harrises represented the Class of 1952 at New Student Convocation Sept. 3.
Photo by Eric Crossan
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At the New Student Convocation, the Class of 1952 was again represented when the Harrises presented the members of the Class of 2006 with their class banner.
The 50th anniversary celebration will culminate at a dinner, hosted by President David P. Roselle during Homecoming Weekend.
The class also has created a Class of 1952 Scholarship, has raised more than $100,000 for UD and is working toward 65 percent participation. Bill Covey and Bill Hall are coordinating the class gift effort.
For more information about the Class of 1952 Reunion and to see who's on the Reuniion Committee, go to www.udel.edu.alumni/events/class52.html.
Active alumni for 50 years
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| Ellen McQuaid (center) in 1948. |
Fifty years have passed since Dick and Ellen McQuaid Harris, who served as president and vice president of their class, met at UD, and subsequently were married. They have been involved and active alumni ever since. This past year, they have been front and center in the their class’s 50th anniversary celebration, carrying the banner in the Alumni Procession at Commencement and presenting the Class of 2006 with its banner at New Student Convocation this semester.
“Our Commencement 50 years ago was held on what was then the Mall under the trees. In those days the student body was much smaller and you got to know people in every class. We are awestruck at how the University has changed. It is marvelous, and we are proud to be part of it,” Ellen said.
“There were less than 400 in our class so that we have been able to keep in touch with many of our classmates over the years. There were 43 from our class who were inducted into the Gold Guard at the Alumni Spring Luncheon.” Dick said.
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| Dick Harris circa 1948 |
Dick received his commission in the U.S. Army on Commencement day, and the couple were assigned to different locations around the country before returning to Delaware where Dick had a career as a data processing manager with the DuPont Co. Ellen was a substitute teacher for several years while raising four children and then became a full-time teacher at Tower Hill School.
The University is a family affair for the Harrises—three of their four children are UD grads, a granddaughter is a current student and several other members of their extended family have attended school here.
“This past year has been wonderful time for both of us. The alumni office has thanked us for our participation, but we should be thanking them and the University for making this a memorable year. We loved going to UD 50 years ago and have a warm feeling for the University,” Ellen said.
Story by Sue Moncure
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