UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 10, Page 2
November 5, 1992
Carpenter Center arena named for Frank E. Acierno

     University of Delaware President David P. Roselle announced Oct.
20 a $1 million gift to the Bob Carpenter Center fund-raising campaign
from businessman and developer Frank E. Acierno of Greenville.
     In response to Acierno's gift-the campaign's largest from a
single donor-the University has named the center's arena in his honor,
by vote of the Executive Committee of the University's Board of
Trustees.
     The gift brings the University close to reaching the $6.5 million
private fundraising  goal for the campaign, Roselle said, adding that
the University will be "working diligently" in the next few months to
complete the campaign.
     The 134,000-gross-square-foot building is funded by $12 million
from the state of Delaware, with the remainder coming from the
University and private gifts from individuals, businesses and
foundations.
     "We are delighted that Mr. Acierno saw the Carpenter Center
project as an opportunity to bring together his interests in
athletics, in higher education and his demonstrated generosity to the
state of Delaware," Roselle said.
     "I believe that this facility will be a major contributor in
elevating the University of Delaware from a good University to a great
University, and I'm proud to be part of it," Acierno said.
     Acierno's association with the University goes back some 26
years, he said, through his involvement with Towne Court and Park
Place apartments, which have provided housing for many students and
faculty. His late wife, Carolyn, and one of his sons, Michael,
attended the University, and he has attended sporting events at
Delaware for more than 30 years, he said. Another son, Frank Jr.,
attended the announcement Tuesday.
     R.R.M. (Ruly) Carpenter III, son of the man for whom the Bob
Carpenter Center is named and a member of the University's Board of
Trustees, told Acierno, "I am most appreciative of the sacrifice that
you have made here.... We-the University and my family-are forever
grateful, and let's just hope that there are many victories ahead for
us in this wonderful facility.
     Steve (Steinwedel, head men's basketball coach,) and Joyce
(Perry, head women's basketball coach,) have assured me that there's
no problem with that, and I think Tubby (Raymond, head football
coach,) is extremely happy with the facilities that he has for his
football players."