Vol. 17, No. 29April 30, 1998

Associates and friends share 'a glorious day'

A view of the reception from the Gore Hall atrium

This is a glorious day," Gov. Thomas R. Carper, a UD trustee, said April 25 during the dedication of Gore Hall. "We have sunshine and blue sky. It's springtime in Newark and at the University of Delaware."

Carper said he first set foot on the UD campus some 25 years ago, and soon earned his Master of Business Administration degree while in his late 20s. Now, he said, "Every time I walk on this campus, I just feel proud."

UD ranked among the nation's 25 best public institutions in a Sept. 1, 1997, list published by U.S. News & World Report, Carper said. The University also can claim bragging rights to many brilliant administrators, faculty, coaches and librarians, he said.

Carper said he first met the Gore family during a visit to the W.L. Gore & Associates headquarters office, when he was seeking support for an early political campaign some years ago. Since then, he said, his appreciation for the family's extraordiary commitment to their community has continued to grow.

"Your name is associated with innovation," Carper told Genevieve W. Gore, Sarah I. Gore '76M, Robert W. Gore '59, and many members of their extended family who attended the dedication ceremony. "Your name is associated with excellence. Your name is associated with quality."

In an emotional speech, Carper told the Gore family: "We are just profoundly grateful, profoundly grateful, to each of you, for what you have done for this state, for this town and for this University."

The Gore family's $17.5 million gift, announced Aug. 8, 1995, to cover the entire cost of UD's stately new classroom building, will serve "tens of thousands of students whose lives will be enriched," Carper said.

-Ginger Pinholster
Photo by Jack Buxbaum