UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 30, Page 8
May 4, 1995
Graduates honored for outstanding achievement

     At an April 28 ceremony in Mitchell Hall, 19 University graduates
were recognized as 1995 recipients of the Presidential Citation for
Outstanding Achievement.
     Established in 1992, the award honors graduates of the last 20
years who exhibit great promise in professional or public service.
     The honored alumni and their guests were welcomed by President
David P. Roselle. Remarks were given by James R. Soles, Alumni
Distinguished Professor of Political Science and International
Relations.
     Certificates were presented to the distinguished alumni by Robert
R. Davis, director of alumni and University relations.


Rakesh Agrawal, Delaware '77M
     After completing his undergraduate degree at the Indian Institute
of Technology in Kanpur, India, Agrawal received a master's degree in
chemical engineering from the UD and earned his doctorate from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Currently principal engineering
associate at Air Products & Chemicals Inc., he holds 64 U.S. patents
and even more international patents. An active member of the American
Institute of Chemical Engineers, he is currently chairing its
separations division.
        "At Delaware, I not only learned chemical engineering
     from the great teachers of Colburn Lab, but, more
     importantly, I found that chemical engineering research,
     when done properly, can be exciting. I was taught to look
     for general principles through solutions of specific
     problems. I grasped the usefulness of the multidisciplinary
     approach and was introduced to a never-ending quest for
     excellence in research. My fellow graduate students taught
     me the value of teamwork. While at Delaware, I enjoyed
     learning and now I derive pleasure from applying what I
     learned to industrial problems."


Kurt B. Akeley, Delaware '80
     Akeley earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
from the University. He later received a master's degree from Stanford
University, where he studied with James Clark, who was developing a
computer chip that gave personal computers the ability to model
complex, three-dimensional designs. The chip became the foundation of
Silicon Graphics Inc., that Akeley, Clark and others started after
leaving Stanford. Now vice president and chief engineer of its visual
systems group, Akeley is responsible for the architecture of the
company's next generation, high-end graphics technology. He serves on
the UD Engineering Advisory Board.


Carole A. Bieber, Delaware '76
     Bieber received a bachelor's degree in elementary education in
1976. In 1985, after teaching for several years in Maine, she returned
to Newark to become co-founder and owner of Flapdoodles Children's
Clothing, along with Marc Ham, a fellow UD Presidential Citation
winner. This successful retail children's clothing company recently
has begun an adult line of clothes for children who have outgrown the
original line and for the parents of children who wear Flapdoodles
clothes.


Pamela Brown Carroll, Delaware '76
     Carroll is the mid-Atlantic regional business director of
Janessen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson company. Since receiving
a bachelor's degree in political science in 1976, Carroll has advanced
to become one of the highest ranking women in the pharmaceutical
industry. The founder and owner of Shoouple Art Gallery in Wilmington
for artists of color, she also has had a black history coloring book
published and invented a black history board game. Carroll is an
active member of the UD Black Alumni Organization.
        "My education at the University of Delaware provided a
     solid foundation for career advancement and personal growth.
     My professors were very supportive and encouraged academic
     excellence, creativity and entrepreneurship. They also
     encouraged risk-taking, both in the classroom and other
     ventures. I was exposed to professors and staff alike, who
     were committed to the academic process and to personal
     growth and development of the individual. I learned the
     value of being open to new ideas and the virtues of
     persistence and perseverance. Graduating from the University
     of Delaware will always be considered one of my most
     significant achievements."


Christopher Castagno, Delaware '83
     Castagno earned a bachelor's degree in consumer economics and has
spent his career with W.L. Gore & Associates. He has served as
technical representative to clothing manufactures of Goretex products,
head of the company's efforts in the area of sales promotion for
various clothing lines and as marketing/sales manager of W.L. Gore's
clothing line in North America. Currently, Castagno resides in Hong
Kong, coordinating Gore's fabrics division for Southeast Asia.


Paul Drayton Jr., Delaware '82
     Drayton is the executive director of the Delaware River and Port
Authority and president of the Port Authority Transit Corp. He
graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science and received
his law degree from Villanova University School of Law. Drayton worked
in former New Jersey Gov. James J. Florio's office as the
counsel/director of the Governor's Authorities Unit, served as legal
counsel for the U. S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and was
assistant district attorney for the Philadelphia District Attorney's
Office.


Devona Goeins Williams, Delaware '76, '82M, '92PhD
     Williams has earned a bachelor's degree in education, a master's
degree in public administration, and a Ph. D. in urban affairs and
public policy from UD. She is the principal/owner of Goeins-Williams
Associates, a management consulting and public relations business, and
also is committeed to public service. She serves on the UD Urban
Affairs Alumni Association, the Delaware Art Museum Community Arts
Committee and the Multicultural Advisory Committee for the New Castle
County Vo-Tech School District, among others.
        "I first came to the University of Delaware as a 17-year
     old freshman. Little did I know that this would begin my
     involvement with the University for most of my adult life.
     When I reflect on my academic experience, I feel a sense of
     accomplishment and pride about the growth and development my
     education has given me. I was also fortunate to meet the
     love of my life at the University, Freeman Williams, my
     husband for more than 20 years. Our academic preparation
     through the University has opened a door of opportunity for
     us."


Marc A. Ham, Delaware '85
     Ham earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. Upon graduation, he
and Carole Bieber, a fellow Presidential Citation winner, began
Flapdoodles Children's Clothing, an immensely successful, children's
retail clothing company. Ham, president of Flapdoodles, is in charge
of day-to-day operations in the production, sales and accounting
departments. He is a supporter of the University, especially campus
radio station WVUD-FM.


Marian Kaminitz, Delaware '84M
     Kaminitz is the chief conservator and head of conservation of the
National Museum of the American Indian, a branch of the Smithsonian
Institute, and an adjunct professor of conservation at the
Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts at New York
University. She graduated from the University Wintherthur Museum
program in 1984 with a master's in art conservation, and earned a
postgraduate Mellon fellowship to treat South Pacific ethnographic
objects at the Bishop Museum in Hawaii. In 1994, she lectured at the
International Institute for Conservation on the subject of listening
to Native American voices in the planning of a museum and of
conservation of Native American art.
        "My studies at the University of Delaware/Winterthur
     Program in the Conservation of Artistic and Historic Objects
     prepared me to enter the world of conservation as a
     professional. During my three years as a master's candidate,
     I was able to study the variety of materials I would be
     confronted with in the future. My summers were spent on
     archaeological excavations in Portugal and Cyprus as a site
     conservator. My special interests have always been
     ethnographic artifacts. This naturally led me to indigenous
     people and new challenges in this area."


Mark A. Kleinschmidt, Delaware '81
     Kleinschmidt received a bachelor's degree in political science
and economics. He is president of the New Castle County Economic
Development Corp., responsible for the administration of small
business assistance programs, job creation projects and the
development of county-owned land. Kleinschmidt has volunteered in
numerous political campaigns at the state, county and local levels. He
served as a cabinet member for 1993-1994 United Way campaigns, and is
currently a board member of Wilmington 2000.
        "With a double major in political science and economics,
     I had the unique experience of studying in the College of
     Arts and Science and the College of Business and Economics.
     Through this experience, I learned a great deal about
     different viewpoints concerning similar issues. This helped
     to develop my analytical skills, which have been of great
     value to me in my career. My strongest memories of my
     undergraduate years center around a hectic part-time work
     schedule and heavy academic work load. Through all of this,
     one person was always there to lend a word of support.
     'Thanks, Mom.'"


Iran Lawrence, Delaware '79
     Lawrence is a nationally renowned, freelance designer and fiber
artist and principal of Iran Lawrence & Co., where she creates hand-
dyed contemporary quilts that are exhibited worldwide. Lawrence
graduated with a degree in economics and earned a master's degree in
interior design from Drexel University and later a full scholarship to
the fiber and textile design program at Temple University's Tyler
School of Art. She has appeared on several national television
interviews, and was the winner of the 1986 American Textile
competition presented by 3M Corp. and the New York Museum of American
Folk Art.
        "My studies at the University of Delaware gave me the
     most important basic fundamentals to survive as a
     responsible citizen. My views on politics and economics were
     formed at this University. The knowledge I acquired allowed
     me to assume responsibilities leading to control in my life.
     This knowledge later became the courage I needed to foster
     new constructive ideas to create and imagine solutions and
     applications. My education at the University produced the
     wisdom that I often use to recognize and postulate new goals
     with potentiality, which can be attained toward anything I
     choose."


Melanie Lewis, Delaware '86
     Lewis graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in English with
a concentration in journalism. She was part of a team at the Dallas
Morning News that received a Pulitzer Prize for International
Reporting for the series, "Violence Against Women: A Question of Human
Rights." She also has received a Media Award from the Texas Council of
Family Violence, two School Bell awards for excellence in feature
writing from the Texas State Teachers Association and a national
reporting award for spot news from the Education Writers Association.
        "I didn't want to go to the University of Delaware. My
     first choice was a 600-student women's college. I was afraid
     that Delaware would be too big and too impersonal. It didn't
     take long for me to find out that was not the case. From the
     minute I set foot in Gilbert F freshman year to the moment I
     turned my tassel, I felt like I was part of the community.
     That feeling has stayed with me throughout my career. The
     friends I made there are lifelong companions. My professors
     guided me and pushed me to think and question. I've never
     forgotten their tenets and have often used what they taught
     me in everyday life."


Michael R. Liberati, Delaware '81, '83M
     Liberati is a senior section manager-geology at the DuPont Co.'s
Environmental Remediation Services. He earned a bachelor's degree in
agricultural sciences and a master's degree in civil engineering.
Liberati is part of a small group that conceptualized the UD's
environmental studies program. He now serves on the program's advisory
council and admissions committee and is an instructor for a course on
environmental remediation. Liberati is part of Delaware Gov. Thomas
Carper's Executive Task Force for Permitting Policy Reform. Liberati
received the DuPont Chemicals Environmental Excellence Award for 1992,
1993 and 1994.
        "My experience at the University of Delaware allowed me
     to acquire a strong academic foundation to start a career.
     Association with such a well-respected institution and its
     professionals has continued to benefit my career and life
     endeavors. I matured socially and professionally and
     developed close and lifelong relationships with mentors and
     friends during my years at the University of Delaware. My
     most important experience, however, was meeting the
     beautiful coed who became my enduring partner, wife and
     mother of our two, future Blue Hens."


Margaret Schulz Maley, Delaware '86
     Maley earned a bachelor's degree in nursing, and is currently
president of Oncology Care Home Health Specialists Inc. She is
president/co-owner of Dizzying Possibilities Inc., a consulting
company for health-care professionals. Active in promoting health-care
reform for the needs of oncology patients, Maley has written an
amendment to Delaware legislation that would simplify death
pronouncements for clients who die at home. She also provides public
and professional presentations on oncology nursing, health-care reform
and health insurance issues for oncology care. Maley is program
chairperson for the Delaware Diamond chapter of the Oncology Nursing
Society.
        "Excellence, leadership, motivation, integrity,
     professionalism, teamwork, perseverance and humor are all
     values that the College of Nursing fostered in me. In my
     continued relationship with the University, as a clinical
     rotation site coordinator and guest lecturer, I have had the
     privilege of witnessing these same values evidenced through
     the ongoing dedication of teachers and students. It is now,
     as a nurse executive and entrepreneur, that I truly
     appreciate how essential my experience at the University has
     been to my career success and happiness."


Kyle Elizabeth Skopic, Delaware '84
     Skopic received a bachelor's degree in consumer economics with a
concentration in business and later a law degree at the University of
Richmond. Currently assistant county attorney for Fairfax, Virginia,
Skopic is involved with numerous volunteer activities, as a member of
the County Child Abuse Prevention Committee and providing legal and
notary service for the Hospice of Northern Virginia. Skopic received
the Outstanding Young Alumna Award from the Human Resources Alumni
Assn.
        "I treasure my experience at the University of Delaware
     for the broad-based education I received. My education
     started with the textbooks and the professors who guided me
     through my studies, However, my real learning experience
     came with my discovery that life is full of endless
     opportunities to really make a difference in the world.
     While at the University of Delaware, I developed a can do
     attitude that has helped me to reach out and find creative
     ways in which to help many individuals in my community."


Kirk Souder, Delaware '85
     Souder, who is the art director, co-owner and founder of Ground
Zero Advertising, graduated with a bachelor's degree in art/visual
communications. He has served as art director for advertising agencies
in New York City and Los Angeles, and his work has appeared in ads for
such companies as Acura, Ikea and Roland. Souder has served as a juror
for advertising juried exhibitions and has provided pro bono
advertising and art direction for a number of non-profit and health-
based organizations, including the March of Dimes.
        "The true value of the lessons I learned during my time
     in the University's Visual Communications Program go well
     beyond their application to a job career. They are life
     lessons. Put simply, there are two ways to arrive at a
     destination. One way is to look for the signs, follow the
     directions and repeat the route that thousands have before
     you. The other way is to look for the signs and run the
     other way-the way no one's gone before, the way where we
     discover, the way where we learn, the way where we grow. the
     way that lets us become something new and wonderful. Thank
     you, Ray [Nichols]; thank you, Martha [Carothers]; and thank
     you, Dot and Lou [his parents]; for showing me the way."


Nancy Hawthorne Wilson, Delaware '71, '88M, '94PhD
     Wilson has received three degrees from the University: a
bachelor's in American studies, a master's in lifespan development and
a doctorate in family studies. She currently serves as the Delaware
administrator of Birth to the Early Intervention Program under Part H
of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Wilson is
responsible for planning and developing interagency agreements to pool
resources for the early intervention program for infants and toddlers
with disabilities. In 1993, Wilson received the Interagency
Collaborator of the Year Award from the Interagency Council for
Children and Families. She is Cecil County, Md., UD alumni chapter
coordinator.
        "I remember, when I was a senior at Newark High School,
     walking into the financial aid office at the University of
     Delaware. I wanted so much to go to college, but just
     couldn't afford it, The counselor helped me to apply
     successfully for scholarships and a loan and even got me a
     summer job teaching softball in Wilmington city playgrounds.
     Fifteen years later, when my youngest child entered school,
     I was ready to tackle graduate school. The University,
     again, was with me all the way. My degrees have been the
     result of true collaboration: a partnership of my hard work
     and the University's support."


Marie-Anne Woolley, Delaware '88
     Woolley earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from
the University and later received a degree in veterinary medicine from
the Tuskegee Institute. A veterinarian at the Red Lion Veterinary
Hospital, Woolley also serves as a counselor to pet owners.
        "I graduated from the University of Delaware with a
     bachelor's in biology. Many positive memories of those four
     years remain. I entered the University as a confused and
     very anxious freshman and, when graduation day finally came,
     I had been prepared by dedicated professors to choose a
     career that is especially rewarding."


Judith D. Zuk, Delaware '76M
     President and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Botanic
Gardens, Zuk received a master's degree in public horticulture
administration. She is president of the American Association of
Botanical Gardens and Arboreta and serves on the Advisory Committee of
the Garden Conservancy and Longwood Gardens Visiting Committee. Zuk
also is on the board of the New York Street Tree Consortium and the
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. She serves as a host for the Brooklyn
Botanic Garden's cable television program, The Urban Gardener, and is
a frequent contributor to The Public Garden and Green Scene. She also
was the 1992 editor of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Handbook, Trees, A
Gardener's Guide.
        "I moved from Newark, New Jersey to Newark, Delaware, to
     pursue a master's degree in horticulture. Talk about culture
     shock! Given the rich museum heritage in the Brandywine
     Valley, I found the University of Delaware and Longwood
     Gardens to be extremely fertile ground for pursuing studies
     in botanic garden management. I gained what seemed like a
     lifetime of knowledge in two short years, thanks to a fine
     faculty and staff at both institutions. For this, I am
     deeply grateful."