Citation conferring the Medal of Distinction on Paul and Gloria Fine

5:45 p.m., Jan. 8, 2005--Paul and Gloria Fine are being honored today for their individual and joint accomplishments. Although they currently reside in Florida, their contributions to the state of Delaware over a 40-year period have left a lasting legacy for the citizens of our state.

As a Delaware entrepreneur and businessman, Paul’s leadership in its corporate community is well-respected. As owner and operator of automobile dealerships in Delaware for more than 30 years, Paul’s business ethic spoke to his commitment to serve with integrity and respect for those who worked with him. Integrity and respect mark Paul’s commitment to his community and to public service, as well.

Each of the activities in which Paul was involved required organizational skills, financial expertise and skillful interaction with diverse segments of our community. As president of Delaware’s State Board of Education, Paul was intimately involved in dealings with the governor’s office and the leadership of our state’s General Assembly. As president of the Board of Education, Paul championed the concepts of charter and choice schools, and he steered Delaware’s public school system through education reform.

Paul served with distinction as chairman of the board of United Way of Delaware and served as United Way’s campaign chairman. As one of the founding members of the Delaware Community Foundation, Paul also served as its chairman of the board. He has also served as president of the Jewish Federation of Delaware. Paul is a 1960 graduate of the University of Delaware and, in his role as president of the State Board of Education, served as an ex officio member of the University’s Board of Trustees.

Gloria Fine has devoted her entire working career to social service work. Beginning some 40 years ago as a caseworker at the Delaware State Hospital, Gloria also served as statewide coordinator for information and referral services of the Division of State Service Center; as planner in the Department of Health and Social Services; and as statewide coordinator of investigation services for the Division of Child Protective Services.

Gloria also served as chair of the Juvenile Justice Advisory, as member of the Criminal Justice Council and as past member of the boards of the Children’s Advocacy Center, the Child Protection Accountability Commission and past president of Children and Families First.

In 1989, Paul and Gloria Fine were named “Philanthropists of the Year” by the Brandywine Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In the same year, they were presented with the National Conference of Christians and Jews annual award for their role in bringing together diverse groups through cooperation, education and interaction. In 1999, Paul Fine was named the recipient of the Dr. Wallace M. Johnson Community Service Award by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and in the same year, the Fines were presented the Albert Einstein Academy’s Community Builder Award.

More than 15 years ago, Paul and Gloria Fine established a “Vision of Hope” scholarship trust for 30 low-income students at Conrad Middle School in Wilmington. These scholarships target public school students with college potential but in need of preparation. The project has demonstrated significant success, and both Paul and Gloria are actively involved in its continuation.

Paul and Gloria, Albert Einstein said, and I quote, "A person starts to live when he can live outside himself.” For your contributions to improving the quality of life for those known and unknown to you, and for living lives outside of yourselves, the University of Delaware salutes you and presents you with Medals of Distinction.

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