UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 17, Page 1
January 18, 1996
Gov. Thomas R. Carper addresses winter grads

     Delaware Gov. Thomas R. Carper called it "a day of sheer joy" as
approximately 550 graduates and nearly 5,000 family members, friends
and supporters gathered Jan. 6 in the Bob Carpenter Center for Winter
Commencement.
     In his Commencement address, Carper, Delaware '75MBA, reminded
the new alumni of the many people who helped them along the way,
sometimes in ways they might not even realize.
     Carper shared his four keys to success: "Do what's right. Do your
best. Treat other people the way you would want them to treat you.
And, never give up." He summed up the secret of happiness in two
words: "Serve others."
     Also at the ceremony, Edward G. Jefferson, a member of the Board
of Trustees, presented a Medal of Distinction to Mary Kaye Carpenter,
founder of the Pilot School in Talleyville for students with learning
disabilities; an active member who helped found the Delaware
Foundation for Retarded Children; and a noted philanthropist who has
supported charitable causes, including the Medical Center of Delaware.
     The Medal of Distinction is presented by the University in
recognition of outstanding professional achievements.
     In citing Carpenter's achievements, Jefferson said, "The 12th-
century theologian, philosopher and physician Maimonides established
eight degrees of charity. In the eighth and highest level, he
describes the most meritorious kind of charitable act. Paraphrased, it
is an apt description of the work of Mary Kaye Carpenter: 'It is that
act of charity which teaches, leads and empowers others toward a path
to improve the quality of life for themselves and for those around
them. It is an act of charity which is given without a desire to be
recognized.'
     "Mary Kaye Carpenter, today we publicly recognize your unfailing
charity toward others and, on behalf of children and families of
Delaware, and for others whose lives you have touched, we thank you,"
he said.