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Trabants awarded honorary degrees
The event, which was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1955, drew alumni from the classes of 1931 through 1955, and included speeches from Howard Cosgrove, chairman of UD’s Board of Trustees; University President David P. Roselle; members of the reunion Class of ’55; and Sharon Dorr, director of alumni and University relations. The degrees are the highest honor the University of Delaware bestows and are given to individuals whose contributions to the public good warrant exceptional recognition. "You served as one of the longest serving presidents of a major university in modern times, and despite a period of great national turmoil, when pressure upon college presidents was profound, you persevered with your vision of what was possible," Cosgrove said, in conferring the degree on President Emeritus Trabant. "You built bridges of communication so that dialogue could be open and direct...goals could be achieved." Citing the former UD president as an esteemed educator and student, as well as leader, Cosgrove listed Dr. Trabant’s many contributions to the University during his tenure. “The list of accomplishments during your administration is significant,” Cosgrove said, “and included a near doubling of the undergraduate enrollment, a proliferation of academic programs and a dramatic expansion in the physical campus.” Turning his attention to Mrs. Trabant, Cosgrove detailed the contributions she had made to the University and to her various roles as UD’s first lady, a volunteer, an educator, a mother and a friend. “You have greeted countless students, alumni, employees, parents and friends with grace and poise and have earned their respect and admiration,” Cosgrove said. “You inspired other mature adult women to return to the classroom to pursue their degrees, often balancing college studies, full-time jobs and families.” “Thank you very much,” Mrs. Trabant said, addressing the audience. “I also want to honor and offer congratulations to those in the 50-or-more-year alumni gathering. This is a very inspiring group. I am so pleased to accept, and I thank those for gifting me. “When first asked, I was reluctant to accept, for it was my husband, Art, who offered the University his leadership and vision. I, too, was committed to this University and count myself as a symbol of many of the partners who have strengthened the campus. I joyfully accept,” she said. Dr. Trabant, who served as UD’s 22nd president from 1968-87, and then again as its 24th president from 1988-90, thanked his wife and took the podium. “This is very much an honor,” he said. “I am very grateful to all those people who [did] the hard work of building the University.” The luncheon was followed by closing remarks by Roselle that included an update on The Campaign for Delaware. “We are celebrating the success of The Campaign for Delaware, which exceeded its goal,” Roselle said. “We are particularly looking forward to adding the Center for the Arts, which will be a very nice enhancement to the University campus.” Dorr capped the day by recognizing individual alumni who had made special efforts to attend. Dr. Trabant held positions at both Purdue University and Georgia Institute of Technology prior to his tenure at the University of Delaware. In 1990, he was named president emeritus of UD. Former UD first lady Jerry Trabant was a marriage and family counselor at the Newark Family Counseling Center. While at the University, she maintained interests in the League of Women Voters, the Girl Scouts, Planned Parenthood, the Battered Women's Center of Delaware and the New Castle County YWCA. Article by Becca Hutchinson To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |
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