1:51 p.m., Nov. 9, 2007--University of Delaware President Patrick Harker invited more than 330 alumni who gathered in the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on Monday, Nov. 5, to rediscover the University, brag about it and share their thoughts and expectations of the University during the ongoing strategic planning process.
Harker highlighted some of the University's strengths, including its outstanding undergraduate research program, an excellent study abroad program, productive partnerships exemplified by the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, which has spawned companies that have created 12,000 jobs in Delaware, and more than 135,000 alumni who have excelled in their careers, as well as in civic and community service throughout the world.
Harker said that as a key player in the regional economy, the University will continue playing its part through efforts like a Nov. 2 daylong conference, “Creating Knowledge-based Partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities,” which brought together top figures from industry, government and education to explore ideas and think creatively about the opportunities for collaboration.
“We are much, much better, much stronger than the world knows about,” Harker said. “I think we are humble by nature. We need to stop doing that. We need to start talking about the strength of this institution. You need to start talking about the strength of the institution because you are the ultimate brand ambassadors for this University as you are the most important 'product' of the University of Delaware.”
Harker said his recent visits to Chile, China and Sweden, which included the signing of cooperative agreements with universities in each of the countries, are an integral part of the partnerships that the University will continue to build.
Harker said one way alumni can easily reconnect and get involved with the University is by offering their ideas to the Strategic Planning Committee, which is taking suggestions from nearly 90 stakeholders inside and outside the University in addition to more than 400 ideas received through an online form.
“We need your energy. We need your ideas. We need your heart and soul,” Harker said. “That's what this institution needs to go to the next level and that is our goal: We want to be viewed as one of the elite public institutions of higher education in America and in the world. When somebody says, 'UD,' that ought to be synonymous with excellence and American higher education.
“We are on this path, this path to prominence, and we need your help to get there. We want to position UD as a great asset not only for the state of Delaware, but for this nation. So, in the coming months, you'll be hearing more about opportunities to connect, to rediscover the university. I ask you to take advantage of those, because the more you know, the more you tell us about where we need to go, the more we'll benefit,” Harker said.
Harker, who was introduced by Erik Sulzbach, coordinator of the New York City alumni club who graduated from UD in 1996 with a degree in history, was accompanied to the event by: Tom Apple, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Conrado (Bobby) M. Gempesaw, dean of the University of Delaware's Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics; Michael Chajes, interim dean of the College of Engineering; Monica Taylor, vice president for development and alumni relations; Beth Brand, associate vice president for university development; and representatives from the offices of development and alumni relations.
“I want to feel reconnected and see if I'll meet my classmates here or make new friends,” Zhang said. “No matter what, we are connected, even if we were years apart. Once people are connected that way, it does not change.”
“It's like a fraternity,” Scott Koplowitz, who graduated in 1999 with a degree in marketing, said of the alumni club. “You all belong to the community, which will always be Delaware, regardless of where you work or move to. My experience in Delaware lives on in me.”
Robert Guglielmo, who graduated in 1976 with a degree in accounting, said he has always felt close to the University, even 30 years after his graduation.
“A lot of my close friends today are the friends I made at the University,” Guglielmo said. “It always felt like home. It was not just the place where you were transitioning into adulthood, it was a great experience, a great education, and I made friends for life.”
Joseph Marvel, a retired college registrar who graduated in 1961 with a degree in American studies, said he was pleased to meet alumni from his era during the event despite the larger proportion of younger alumni. Marvel, who grew up in Newark, Del., said he was very active at UD as a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and ROTC and as the homecoming chairman in fall 1960.
Article by Martin Mbugua
Photos by Giovanni Rufino