5:43 p.m., Feb. 21, 2008--Blue Hens in Charlotte, N.C., were excited and pleased to roll out the welcome mat for UD President Patrick Harker when he met with more than 40 alumni and other friends of UD at a reception held Feb. 4 high above the city at Bentley's Restaurant on the 27th floor of the Charlotte Plaza Building.
The get-together was an opportunity to meet other Blue Hens in the Charlotte area, to “Rediscover UD” and to hear firsthand from Harker about what is happening on campus and what is planned for UD on its path to prominence.
Among those attending was Beverly Gilman, daughter of the late J. Robert King, who was founder of the UD Marching Band. She grew up in Newark, and she and others in her family are loyal alumni. “The University is in our DNA,” she said.
The setting and the event were wonderful, she said, and she enjoyed talking to people from UD. She said she would like to see more alumni activities in the area so that people became more aware of the University of Delaware and how good a school it is.
Jeffrey Leak, an associate professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, earned his master's degree at UD. He said he enjoyed the event and talking to Harker about his experience at UD, which prepared him to go on to earn his doctorate from Emory University. “Many people were extraordinarily helpful at UD,” he recalled, singling out Judith Gibson, former assistant vice president for affirmative action and multicultural programs, and Charles Robinson, professor of English.
She and Tommy were “impressed by the enthusiasm of the folks who turned out for the event,” as well as the view and food at Bentleys. They are looking forward to becoming active alums who celebrate “Blue Hen pride for a lifetime to come,” Erin said.
Article by Sue Moncure
Photos by Davis Turner