9:54 a.m., May 20, 2008--While the rain came down outside, several hundred seniors and their friends got down to the sounds of Kristen and the Noise inside the Multipurpose Rooms of the Trabant University Center during Senior Day on Friday afternoon, May 16.
The annual event, which gives seniors a chance to unwind before the end of semester stresses of finals and getting ready for Commencement, featured several giveaways, including a bright red Pontiac G5 courtesy of NuCar Pontiac Buick GMC.
The grand prize was won by senior Nicole Sarah Horne, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences from Hastings, N.Y.
"I was in the Moon Bounce, when I heard my named called," Horne said. "I was enjoying the event already, but winning the car is great. This is really something."
Other top prizes included a 37-inch Toshiba LCD TV from Boscov's won by Rebecca Dorough, a senior in the Lerner College of Business and Economics from Adamstown, Md., and a TiVo, provided by Coca-Cola, won by Annelies M. Caniglia, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences from Lancaster, Pa.
"I'm excited. I didn't think I was going to win anything," Caniglia said. "The whole day was a lot of fun."
Amy Saltzman, a junior majoring in economics and English with a concentration in journalism from Warrington, Pa., enjoyed hanging out with friends involved in promoting Green Fest held Saturday, May 17.
"I think this is a really nice event," Saltzman said. "The band is great."
Kaity Fitzgerald, a senior psychology major from East Greenwich, R.I., said "I'm excited about graduating and about helping to celebrate the environment with our Green Fest event."
Matt Keefe, a senior sports management major from Spring Lake, N.J., said, "I heard my friends say they were coming, so I thought it would this would be a really nice break before graduation. The music is great and so is all the free stuff."
Jessica Heaven, a senior exercise physiology major from Glenside Pa., was excited about meeting friends and winning a 19-inch Gateway flat panel monitor. "It's fun. There are a lot of things to do here, and it's nice to see all of the people I will be graduating with."
Marilyn Prime, director of student centers, said that despite the weather, Senior Day 2008 was a hit with everyone who turned out for the event.
"The Student Government Association and the Student Centers Programming Advisory Board did a terrific job organizing the event," Prime said. "We were really fortunate this year to have amazing prizes to give away, including a car. What was really rewarding was the expression on the faces of seniors who won the prizes. They were so excited and surprised."
Eric Nelson, advertising and marketing manager in the Office of Public Relations, said that the nice collection of prizes helped make the afternoon a fun event for all who participated in Senior Day 2008.
"A fantastic event made even better by Nucar, Boscov's, Coca-Cola and all the other sponsors who generously donated such great prizes," Nelson said.
Other Senior Day prize-winners
Candace Esham, a senior in the College of Engineering, won a Sweet & Sassy Cupcakes Gift Basket and a loaf of Panera Bread each month for a year.
Alison Marie Gordon, a College of Arts and Sciences' senior from Excelsior, Minn., won a $100 gift certificate to Minster's Jewelry and a $25 gift certificate to the Soffritto Italian Grill.
Michael Zeberkiewicz, a College of Engineering senior from Newark, Del., won a $100 credit card from WSFS and a UD gift basket courtesy of the UD Bookstore.
Lauren Marie Kindle, a senior in the College of Health Sciences, won a bike from Wooden Wheels and a UD T-Shirt and baseball cap from National 5 & 10.
Joseph Staab, a senior in the Lerner College of Business and Economics from Philadelphia, won a GPS navigation system provided by Coca-Cola.
Marcus Schult, won a Downtown Outing Package and GPS navigation system provided by Coca Cola.
James Rickards, a senior in the College of Business and Economics from Royersford, Pa., won a restaurant package and GPS navigation system from Boscov's.
Theresa Kalesse, a staff assistant in the College of Engineering, won a Nintendo Wii in the All UD for Wii contest open to all UD students, faculty and staff.
Comedians Todd Blass and Seth Kirschner, both 2005 UD graduates and former members of the Rubber Chickens, UD's student comedy troupe, served as guest emcees for the event.
Senior Day 2008 was sponsored by Student Government Association and the Student Centers Programming Advisory Board.
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Jon Cox