Online auction benefits Dillard U’s recovery

5:30 p.m., Nov. 14, 2005--Dillard University in New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, vows to be “Back and Better as soon as humanly possible,” and UD faculty members are lending helping and creative hands to make that happen.

A private, historically black, liberal arts institution founded in 1869, with ties to the United Methodist Church, Dillard was ranked 14th in US. New and World Report’s Southern Comprehensive Colleges. The school is in the process of restoring its campus, which was flooded and had extensive roof and landscape damage when Katrina struck.

UD faculty have been invited to reach out to help Dillard by donating their works and their talents--artwork, books and other offerings--to a fund-raising, online auction at [www.udel.edu/hurricaneauction] organized by UD English professor Ben Yagoda, with support from the Office of Public Relations.

“I felt that we as a faculty should do something about New Orleans, which is a city I’ve visited many times and feel very close to,” Yagoda said.

Although Yagoda said he felt the Red Cross and others were responding to immediate needs, it was clear to him that educational and cultural institutions needed massive aid as well. He discovered that Dillard was devastated by the storm and has mounted a fund-raising effort. “It seemed like the perfect partner for UD,” Yagoda said.

“I am very pleased with the response,” Yagoda said. “It seems that a lot of my colleagues share my strong desire to come to the aid of a fellow institution that’s been hard hit by this disaster and help it get back on its feet.”

There have been approximately 65 donations to the auction, including books, photographs, artworks, handcrafts, educational offerings, musical CDs and special items, such as a Yuletide tour at Winterthur Museum and behind-the-scenes visit to the art conservation lab.

UD faculty wishing to contribute additional items to the auction should send e-mail to [publicrelations@udel.edu] by 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18.

To participate in the auction, the campus community and others are invited to visit the web site until noon, Tuesday, Nov. 29, to bid on different items. Those who make winning bids will be notified by e-mail.

The proceeds from the auction will go to Dillard University’s rebuilding fund, Yagoda said. In addition, direct contributions are welcome, and checks should be made out to Dillard University Hurricane Relief Fund, with University of Delaware in the memo line, and sent to Dillard University Hurricane Relief Fund, c/o University Development, The Carmen Group, Eighth Floor East, 1301 K St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 2005.

Article by Sue Moncure

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