UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 1, Page 1
August 31, 1995
Members of Class of 1999 welcomed at Convocation

     On a breezy Monday morning, the Class of 1999 marched to the Mall
by colleges, led by deans and department chairpersons, for New Student
Convocation. It was the first and last time the class will assemble
until Commencement four years away, and the new students were
officially welcomed to the University by President David P. Roselle.
     Speaking to the new students, Roselle predicted that when they
graduate they will be told by Commencement speakers to "'make it your
challenge to be the first to make a difference in the new millennium.'
     "Let me fast forward that Commencement address for you," he said.
"Seize the opportunities which lie before you today and for the next
four years. Don't wait until the eve of the next century!"
     Following Roselle's remarks, the recipient of the Francis Alison
Award for outstanding contributions to the University and to his
profession was announced. The 1995 award was presented to Frank
Scarpitti, professor of sociology, by Harry Hall, president of the
University of Delaware Faculty Senate, who saluted Scarpitti as one of
UD's "finest scholars, teachers and administrators."
     In a surprise part of the program, Andrew B. Kirkpatrick Jr.,
chairman of the Board of Trustees, honored President David P. Roselle
and his wife Louise, for their achievements and contributions during
their first five years at Delaware (see accompanying article).
     Carol Hoffecker, Richards Professor of History, also addressed
the new students, charging them to create a "destiny, a lifetime
goal." Telling the students to have a dream, a mission, a quest and a
goal, she cautioned them that there would be hurdles and problems and
adversity.
     After Hoffecker's address, Andrew J. Turner Jr., director of the
state's Division of Human Relations from 1983 to 1995, received the
University of Delaware Medal of Distinction from Howard E. Cosgrove,
vice chairman of the Board of Trustees. Cited as the first African-
American police officer to become a captain in Wilmington and in the
state and later an inspector, Turner recently joined the University as
special assistant to the vice president for employee relations, after
a distinguished career in state and country government.
     Damian C. O'Doherty, president of the Delaware Undergraduate
Student Congress, spoke to the new students, urging them to become
involved in the many, varied organizations on campus. He presented a
class flag of 1999 to Stephanie A. Vega, a freshman from Paraguay, who
was active in musical activities and as a volunteer in her native
country where she helped to found the Community Service Club.
     The program concluded with a singing of the University of
Delaware alma mater, led by Angelyn R. Robinson, a member of the class
of 1998.