4:11 p.m., Oct. 17, 2007--Perfect, crisp, sunny fall weather, a host of activities, special events and get-togethers, plus an exciting Fightin' Blue Hen football victory over Northeastern University combined to make Homecoming 2007 a weekend to remember. The UD Marching Band, the cheerleaders, dance team and mascot YoUDee all contributed to the colorful celebration that welcomed alumni back home to UD.
“Reunion Row has moved, and we are happy with the new location, which will enable us to grow in future years as more groups join in,” said Lauren Simione, assistant director of alumni relations. “Hundreds of alumni gathered at Reunion Row and enjoyed the band music, food and meeting with friends, and the kids really enjoyed the moon bounce, obstacle course, T-ball and awesome face-painting.”
The classes of 1992, 1987, 1982, 1977, 1967, 1962 and 1952 were represented at Reunion Row, as well as a Spirit Group Reunion (Ag Ambassadors, Blue Hen Ambassadors, cheerleaders, dance team, UD Marching Band, Spirit Ambassadors and YoUDee mascots), a swimming and diving alumni tailgate and College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy alumni tailgate.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Class of 1957 was represented by 102 members, plus guests. They were invited to the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement ceremony Friday afternoon, the Homecoming brunch, hosted by UD President Patrick Harker and his wife, Emily, and a reception and dinner held after the game at the Trabant University Center.
Other highlights of the weekend included the Outstanding Alumni Awards to Peggy and Thorpe Moeckel, which recognizes UD alumni who have carried out exceptional volunteer work on behalf of UD and the Alumni Association. The awards were given by Harker and UD Alumni Association President Shanté Hastings at the Homecoming brunch, and the two were recognized at halftime.
The new crop of UD Spirit Ambassadors, a group of 22 students selected for their outstanding achievements and leadership on campus, also were recognized at halftime.
Spirit Ambassadors for 2007-08 are:
- Pooja Aysola, AS ’08;
- Benjamin Binder-Macleod, EG ’08;
- Jordan Brown, BE '09;
- Danielle Caby, BE ’08;
- Rita Chang, AS '10;
- Monica Conforti, HP '09;
- Mickey Daugherty, AS '09;
- Moira Dougherty, AS ’08;
- Andrew Dubina, EG '09;
- Chris Gale, EG '09;
- Nicole Gentile, AS ’09;
- Alison Gordon, AS ’08;
- Marc Guzman, AS '10;
- Emily Hartline, HS '10;
- Brooke Humfeld, HP '09;
- Christine Ingari, AS '09;
- Sarah Mainardi, AG '09;
- Laura Mae Milazzo, AS, HP ’08;
- Jessica Rennenkampf, BE ’09;
- Jason Schoenfeld, AS '09;
- Allison Stitt, HS '10; and
- Jeremy Wolff, BE, AS '09.
There was spirited competition among student organizations for the best banner and for the best performance of a skit, cheer or song during a Spirit Competition held Friday on the Trabant University Center patio.
There were 32 banners entered in the competition, which were displayed from the ceiling of the Trabant University Center, and 21 groups performed. “The Homecoming Banner Competition was bigger and better this year,” according to Marilyn Prime, director of student centers. “All the banners were creative, colorful and very spirited and helped create a winning attitude for all who passed by the display.”
The winning group was the Student Government Association, with the Vietnamese Students Association taking second-place honors and the American Red Cross Club coming in third. The winning group got to run onto the field leading the football team.
The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics held an Awards of Excellence ceremony, and the Engineering Alumni Association, the Black Alumni Association and the Honors Program alumni hosted special events. Other happenings from sporting events--including ice hockey, crew, cross country and soccer--to concerts and UD museum exhibits rounded out the weekend activities.
2007 Presidential Citation winners announced
UD football team tops Northeastern 30-20
Alumni Association honors the Moeckels
Several B&E alumni honored with awards
Article by Sue Moncure
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson, Duane Perry and Mark Campbell
