Receptions, recognition and reunions mark Homecoming Weekend at UD

6 p.m., Oct. 24, 2003--For returning alumni and families, Homecoming Weekend 2003 offered a variety of events, including the first-ever Alumni College, an art loop visiting several exhibitions and the opportunity to reunite with fellow alumni while meeting current students on Reunion Row.

UD’s new Spirit Ambassadors were introduced at halftime.

Activities during the Oct. 17-19 weekend highlights included the traditional football game, with the Fightin’ Blue Hens scoring a 55-10 victory over Rhode Island, as well as reunion activities for several classes.

The Classes of 1953, 1958 and 1983 were honored at a reception Oct. 17 in Mentors’ Circle, which also recognized faculty members whose names are inscribed in Mentors’ Circle. Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement recipients and members of the Delaware Diamonds and Legacy societies also were recognized.

More than 80 members of the Class of 1953 attended a 50th anniversary reunion dinner hosted by President and Mrs. David P. Roselle in the Trabant University Center.

The Class of 1958 marked its 45th anniversary as more than 30 class members and their guest attended a reunion dinner in Clayton Hall.

At a special halftime ceremony during the football game, UD Alumni Association President Julie Moyer Knowles presented Outstanding Alumni Awards to Class of 1952 alumni Dick Harris and Ellen McQuaid Harris for their continued support and dedication to the University.

Also at halftime, UD’s new Spirit Ambassadors, selected for their outstanding achievements and leadership, were introduced.

2003-04 Spirit Ambassadors are:

Kristen Baldyga, AS ‘05
Tracey Bressler, BE ‘04
Tarryne Coleman, AS ‘04
Amanda Crouse, AS ‘06
Stacey Davey, AS ‘05
Danielle Diamond, AG ‘05
Kevin Eanes, AS ‘04
Alli Garwood, AG ‘04
Geary Gutowski, CHNS ‘05
John Hamnett, EG ‘06
Karen Mascolo, CHNS ‘06
Melanie Mitchell, CHEP ‘05
Latania Murray, CHEP ‘05
Jonathan Powley CHEP ‘03
Marcie Quintana, CHEP ‘04
Yvonne Sanya, CHEP ‘06
Samantha Saveri, AS ‘05
Amy Stull, BE ‘04
Jessica Thompson, AS ‘04
Chelina Tirrell, AS ‘05
Kevin Tressler, AS ‘04
Sam Wightman, CHEP ‘03
Liz Wong, BE ‘05

UD Alumni Association President Julie Moyer Knowles (foreground, left) presented Outstanding Alumni Awards to Class of 1952 alumni Ellen McQuaid Harris and Dick Harris.

Spirit Ambassador Jessica Thompson received the T. Muncy Keith Spirit Award, a $1,000 scholarship given annually to one Spirit Ambassador in recognition of outstanding spirit and leadership.

Before the game, the winning banners in the Homecoming Weekend Spirit Banner Competition were carried onto the field just before the entry of the Fightin’ Blue Hens.

The winners of the spirit banner competition were

Lambda Chi Alpha, first place
Gospel Choir, second place, and
Dark Arts Dance Company, third place.

Other special recognition and activities during the weekend included:

Presentation of the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement to eight graduates of the past 20 years who exhibit great promise in their professional career and/or public service activities.
The Black Almuni Organization hosted a golf outing, barbecue and a Sunday worship service.
The second annual art loop with tours of art exhibits and studios was offered by the College of Arts and Science.
The first-ever Alumni College, hosted by the College of Arts and Science, featured a series of timely topics and discussions, followed by a dean’s reception for alumni and UD administrators in Gore Hall.
Special tailgate events were hosted by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics Alumni Association, the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy Association, the Nursing Alumni Association classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 1998 and the Physical Therapy Department.

At an award ceremony and reception Saturday afternoon, the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics Alumni Association honored outstanding alumni in a ceremony in the Chaplin Tyler Atrium of MBNA America Hall:

Eric Brucker, ’63, dean of Widener University’s school of business administation; and
William H. Schieffer, ’84, president and COO of The Siegfried Group LLP in Wilmington.

In addition, the college announced that Rachel M. Schultz, BE ’04, of Dover, is the 2003 recipient of its John F. Puglisi Scholarship.

Article by Jerry Rhodes

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