UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 32, Page D1
May 21, 1992
Diversity
Memorial quilt on exhibit at Perkins Student Center

     The patchwork quilt is a symbol of America's communal spirit. In
the past, people of rural communities, drawn by the thread of common
purpose, came together over the working of a quilt. Piece by piece,
stitch by stitch, something of long-standing beauty and value was
created.
     Today a quilt of much greater proportion is bringing the country
together at a time when collective spirit is needed to face a national
crisis-the AIDS epidemic. The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, a
visible pledge to the memory of those who have died, centers awareness
on the devastating effects of this disease.
     The AIDS Memorial Quilt is now on exhibit on the University of
Delaware campus. Seventeen quilt sections, each of which is made up of
eight individual panels measuring 3 feet by 6 feet, will be on display
in the Rodney Room of the Perkins Student Center.  It is the largest
display of the quilt ever in the state.
     The exhibit began Wednesday, May 20, and will continue through
Saturday, May 23. The general public is welcome to view the quilt on
Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. This display is sponsored by the University's chapter
of the Golden Key National Honor Society.
     Though viewing is free to the public, donations will be accepted
to help defray the cost of shipping the quilt to Delaware. Money
raised above actual expenses for transporting the quilt will be used
to fund three local organizations that provide one-on-one support for
people with AIDS, ARC or HIV: the University's Wellspring, Delaware
Lesbian and Gay Health Advocates and KARE (Kent Area Resource
Education Center).
     Senior Chris Buchanan, president of the local Golden Key chapter,
said the idea of exhibiting the quilt on campus grew out of a
President's Roundtable meeting last fall. She was moved by a
performance of "Heartstrings," a presentation about AIDS, and
suggested the quilt as a service project for Golden Key.
     Buchanan received enthusiastic support for the idea from her
group as well as other campus organizations.
     The purpose for bringing the AIDS Memorial Quilt to Delaware was
threefold.
     "First, we wanted to raise awareness about AIDS, about how this
epidemic affects all of us," said Buchanan. "Second, we wanted to help
dispel the myth that AIDS affects only certain segments of society.
AIDS doesn't discriminate. Third, we wanted to contribute to the vital
funding needed to support people who have AIDS, ARC or HIV."
     To raise money to support the project, Golden Key also held a 5-K
race in April. About 400 people took part, and more than $3,000 was
raised toward the project.
     Closing ceremonies will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. A final
reading of the names on the quilt will take place as a positive
demonstration of concern for the devastating effects of AIDS. Formal
acceptance of additions to the quilt is also planned.
     "During the exhibition closing ceremonies," Buchanan adds, "we
hope to accept new panels created by people from this area to be
included in the quilt before it is sent on."