UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 21, Page 3
February 23, 1995
National award; Student among top 20 honored by 'USA Today'

     Wouldn't it be nice if one day everyone woke up and decided they
would do something for someone else? Just think how many problems
would be solved. It would be amazing," said Michael J. Skinner, a
University junior from Olney, Md.
     Skinner speaks with the practicality of the '90s, not the
idealism of the Age of Aquarius, and it is just that practical
approach to problem solving that has made him one of 20 undergraduates
from across the nation to be selected to USA Today's 1995 All-USA
College Academic First Team.
     Skinner, a student in the University Honors Program, is known as
a humanitarian, an actor and an A student. A medical scholars/liberal
studies major who hopes to become a pediatrician or family practice
doctor, he manages to maintain a 3.9 grade point average while doing
volunteer work for numerous organizations.
     Through the University's Medical Scholars Program, he has already
been accepted into medical school at Jefferson University Hospital in
Philadelphia, where he will enroll upon graduation from UD. He is a
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow, conducting research with
mutant chicken embryos as a model of the metabolism problems in humans
that might lead to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and, over the
recent Winter Session, he held an internship in the Office of the
Medical Examiner of Delaware. Only time constraints prevent him from
remaining active in University student theatre groups.
     For Kathleen Duke, associate director of the University Honors
Program, Skinner's range of abilities is truly impressive. "What makes
Michael so special is that he is so gifted, so community-minded and so
creative. At the same time, he's also funny, charming and a joy to
work with."
     Skinner is the founder and co-president of IMPACT: The Service
Community, a student organization dedicated to community service and
making a difference in people's lives. Most members of IMPACT live
together in the University's Ray Street Special Interest Housing,
where they spend their spare time in projects like delivering blankets
to Wilmington's street people, tutoring at Newark's high school and a
local elementary school, working weekly with Emmaus House (a Newark
shelter for women and children), providing assistance and
companionship to students with handicaps, working with the Delaware
Food Bank and participating in numerous walkathons and fund-raisers
for other nonprofit organizations. Last October, USA Weekend
recognized the group's program, "Homecoming for the Homeless," as part
of its coverage of Make A Difference Day.
     Like many college students, the members of the group will travel
to Florida over spring break. The difference is that IMPACT members
will spend their time rebuilding houses for victims of last year's
hurricane, with other Habitat For Humanity volunteers.
     Skinner has been and continues to be at the forefront of it all.
     "We all support each other in areas of community service," he
explained. "Sometimes, it's hard to find people interested in your
cause, and it can be daunting to organize a project on your own.
Living at Ray Street, you know that the people right next door will
pitch in. We can take on all kinds of things that we couldn't do as
individuals."
     Of all the projects and causes he has been involved with in his
two years at the University, Skinner says IMPACT's program of making
sure students with handicaps have companionship at meals has touched
him the most on a personal level, for one of the students he has come
to know has become a good friend.
     Skinner participated in the Child Life Program at the A.I. duPont
Institute, a hospital for children in Wilmington. Skinner got involved
when he was taking a class on the hospitalized child, and he kept in
touch with several of the children he met. Tears come to his eyes when
he remembers one of his young friends there who died recently.
     Skinner said he isn't sure how his humanitarian side has come to
dominate his life, but he does remember an incident that happened when
he was a fifth grader, while traveling with his family in Italy and
Germany.
     "We were checking into a hotel and there was a woman, a homeless
woman, sleeping outside of the hotel under a piece of cardboard. That
really bothered me. It didn't make sense, and, if something doesn't
make sense to a fifth grader, then it probably shouldn't be."
     At the University, the list of awards and honors he has earned
include a Eugene du Pont Memorial Distinguished Scholar Award, Dean's
List each semester, a First Year Honors Certificate, Study Abroad
Merit Scholarship, George and Margaret Collins Seitz Award, Howard
Hughes Medical Institute Research Scholar and Special Interest Housing
Program of the Month.
     His student activities include work as an actor, director and
technical director for the E-52 Theatre; organizer, guitarist and
vocalist with the folk group of the Thomas More Oratory; and acting
with the Not Quite Ready for Bed Players, an AIDS information group.
He also is a member of the council of presidents for special interest
housing, a student representative to the Honors Council, a Medical
Scholar and coeditor of Interlocutor, the medical scholars'
newsletter. He also has participated in a University' study-abroad
program in Bayreuth, Germany.
     As a member of the USA Today First Team, Skinner was honored at a
reception in the Gannett Corporate Dining Room on Feb. 17. He and the
other winners each received a $2,500 cash award.
     Skinner is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Skinner of Olney,
Md.
                                                          -Beth Thomas