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| Vol. 19, No. 5 | Sept. 30, 1999 |
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| Vol. 19, No. 5 | Sept. 30, 1999 |
Current 1998-99 Spirit Ambassadors and their class years include (clockwise from lower left)
Ellen Fryer, CHEP '00; Holly Graham, AS '01; Kris Schroeder, AS '00; Anne Blanton, AS '99; Lalena Luna, AS '00;
Marianne Connolly, BE '00; Greg Kaufmann, AS '00; and, center, Betsy Lowther, AS '99.
According to Sharon Dorr, alumni and University relations, " Spirit Ambassadors play an important campus role, serving as representatives of the University at a variety of events including Parents & Family Weekend, Homecoming, athletic events, admissions activities, alumni activities and special University events, including groundbreakings, dedications and honorary ceremonies.
"They also serve as an ad hoc committee to the president, and ambassadors meet with him each semester to discuss University issues, policies and events, offering a student perspective and sharing their opinions about campus issues and areas of concern."
Students apply to become Spirit Ambassadors in early September of each year, and finalists are chosen by a committee of faculty, alumni and students.
This year's selection process will be completed in time for the new Spirit Ambassadors- numbering between 10 and12 students-to be announced at the Homecoming Carnival and Pep Rally on Friday, Oct. 15, and again during the halftime celebration on Homecoming Day.
Once selected, ambassadors serve as representatives of the student body until they graduate.
Marianne Connolly, BE '00, a senior Spirit Ambassador from New Haven, Conn., remembers hearing about the program during her freshman year and setting her sights on achieving the honor.
"It sounded exciting to me to act as a representative for the whole University community," says Connolly, who also serves as a resident assistant and coordinator for Blue Hen Ambassadors, the campus tour guides. "Showing school spirit has become a part of my daily life."
According to Dorr, more than 30 applications were received this year and the selection process has begun. A committee has reviewed the applications and a pool of approximately 19 candidates will be presented to the University community for campuswide polling, as in The Review. This is not an election, she explained, but rather a poll of the community as to what candidates they feel best represent the University. The committee will meet with the 19 candidates at a dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Roselle.
According to Christine Pennington, alumni and University relations, the T. Muncy Keith recipient also will be announced at halftime on Homecoming Day. This one-time, $1,000 award will be presented to the Spirit Ambassador who most embodies the spirit of the University as did the late Mr. T. Muncy Keith, AS '22, a long-time UD supporter and honorary lifetime member of the University of Delaware Alumni Association Board of Directors.
"In the short time that the Spirit Ambassadors program has been in force," Dorr said, "it has been very successful and well received. It has attracted talented and creative students who represent the best that the University has to offer. I'm sure this year's new ambassadors will continue the fine tradition of those who have gone before them."
-Ed Okonowicz
Photo by Jack Buxbaum
