UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 34, Page 5
June 11, 1992
Delaware Diamonds Society honors exemplary giving

     The Delaware Diamonds-an organization that traditionally has
recognized significant support from University alumni and friends- has
been reorganized to honor exemplary, long-term commitment to the
University. Enrollment of new members is under way.
     "The Delaware Diamonds Society will honor the University's most
generous contributors," according to Charles S. Joanedis, Delaware
'50, who serves as chairperson pro tem of the new society. "This will
be the 'club' to belong to for Delaware alumni and friends committed
to enhancing the outstanding qualities of the University of Delaware."
     A member of the University's Advisory Committee on Private
Support, Joanedis received the Alumni Association's Outstanding
Alumnus Award last year.
     "Members of the Delaware Diamonds will, through their generous
gifts and their dedicated work on behalf of the University, make
contributions of great value to the campus community," University
President David P. Roselle said. "We look forward to seeing the
membership and the impact of the society grow in the years ahead."
     The president noted that nearly all of the University's deans and
vice presidents have enrolled in the society, as have an encouraging
number of directors and senior faculty members.
     "I am pleased that so many of the leaders of our community are
setting this example of exemplary giving for others, both on and off
campus," Roselle said.
     The new society recognizes individuals who give or pledge $5,000
or more over a five-year period, to the University. Membership also
will be granted to persons who make or have made deferred giving
commitments and bequests of $25,000 or more and to those whose
lifetime giving totals reach $50,000. In addition, enrollment will be
granted to all who have contributed or pledged $5,000 or more during
the past two giving years (from July 1, 1989, to June 30, 1991). The
new five-year term memberships begin with the current 1991-92 giving
year.
     More than 270 notifications of membership in the society were
mailed early in March to those who have qualified by virtue of their
past gifts.
     A volunteer organization reporting to the president, the society
will work actively to expand its membership and will bring Diamonds
and members of the campus community together to discuss the successes,
challenges and needs of the University. Future plans call for an
annual black-tie event to honor society members for their generosity
to the University.
     Concurrent with the establishment of the Diamonds society, the
University also has created a new gift club to recognize annual gifts.
The Blue Hen Club has been established, bringing together the former
Diamonds, University Associates, Society of a Thousand and Century
Club members, to recognize annual contributions of $100 and more.
     Donors who pledge membership in the new Delaware Diamonds Society
and make gift payments each year will be recognized in two ways,
Joanedis explained, by the new society for their long-term commitments
and by the Blue Hen Club for their gifts received during each giving
year.
     Joanedis currently is building a committee of alumni and friends
experienced in fund raising who will make personal follow-ups to the
new society's membership invitations, which are being extended this
spring.
     For more information, contact Peter D. Shultz, Coordinator,
Delaware Diamonds Society, Office of University Development, Academy
Building, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-0701, telephone:
831-2104.