Respected educator and mentor, your career in higher education has included distinguished service at the University of Maryland, Louisiana State University, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, the University of Kentucky, where you were President for three years, and the University of Delaware, where your Presidency exceeded 17 years. Throughout your career, you have served as a resource, mentor and friend to many colleagues who now hold positions of leadership across the country, winning you the Council of Fellows Mentor's Award from the American Council on Education in 2005.

Visionary leader and administrator, your Presidency at the University of Delaware transformed this institution from a regional public university to a national leader, with excellent faculty, successful students, superior research and valuable public service. Emphasizing a student-centered institution, your administration saw increased scholarship and fellowship support, additional faculty and named faculty positions, instructional innovation, expanded study-abroad opportunities and the integration of technology into the fabric of the University. During your tenure, the University's endowment grew by more than $1 billion.

Valued steward of the University's physical campus, your tenure saw the addition of major new buildings in Newark, as well as in Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown, and the renovations of almost all campus buildings, with no deferred maintenance. Those projects, combined with your attention to campus landscaping, have won the University accolades as one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States.

Talented fundraiser, you led the University's first comprehensive capital campaign, The Campaign for Delaware, which far exceeded its original goal, ultimately raising more than $431 million and many, many friends for this University. This campaign positioned the University well for continued success in the 21st century.

Proud champion of Blue Hen spirit, you took an active role in athletics on our campus, cheering and supporting many UD athletes and teams, including the 2003 National Football Championship team, the men's and women's basketball teams selected to play in the NCAA Tournament and the 2007 men's lacrosse team, which reached the NCAA Tournament Semifinals. You also have been an enthusiastic supporter of the University of Delaware Marching Band, the Cheerleading and Dance Teams, and you oversaw the creation of our award-winning mascot, YoUDee.

Devoted friend of the arts, your support of culture on this campus has had a profound effect on this institution, enriching the resources available to our students, faculty and staff, as well as the greater community. These achievements include the acquisition of the Paul R. Jones Collection of African American Art, the renovation of Bayard Sharp Hall and addition of the Edward and Naomi Jefferson Pipe Organ, and the completion of the state-of-the-art Louise and David Roselle Center for the Arts, which includes practice space for students, as well as performance spaces for talented musicians and actors on our campus.

David Roselle, your vision, insight, wit and steady leadership touched every part of the University of Delaware during your distinguished tenure. The words once said about noted English architect Christopher Wren are most appropriate to you as well: “If you seek his monument, look around you.” The University of Delaware today is a tribute to all that you have accomplished here.

May 31, 2008

Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson