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- UD students meet alumni, experience 'closing bell' at NYSE
- Newark Police seek assistance in identifying suspects in robbery
- Rivlin says bipartisan budget action, stronger budget rules key to reversing debt
- Stink bugs shouldn't pose problem until late summer
- Gao to honor Placido Domingo in Washington performance
- Adopt-A-Highway project keeps Lewes road clean
- WVUD's Radiothon fundraiser runs April 1-10
- W.D. Snodgrass Symposium to honor Pulitzer winner
- New guide helps cancer patients manage symptoms
- UD in the News, March 25, 2011
- For the Record, March 25, 2011
- Public opinion expert discusses world views of U.S. in Global Agenda series
- Congressional delegation, dean laud Center for Community Research and Service program
- Center for Political Communication sets symposium on politics, entertainment
- Students work to raise funds, awareness of domestic violence
- Equestrian team wins regional championship in Western riding
- Markell, Harker stress importance of agriculture to Delaware's economy
- Carol A. Ammon MBA Case Competition winners announced
- Prof presents blood-clotting studies at Gordon Research Conference
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, programs announced
- Stay connected with Sea Grant, CEOE e-newsletter
- A message to UD regarding the tragedy in Japan
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- March 31-May 14: REP stages Neil Simon's 'The Good Doctor'
- April 2: Newark plans annual 'wine and dine'
- April 5: Expert perspective on U.S. health care
- April 5: Comedian Ace Guillen to visit Scrounge
- April 6, May 4: School of Nursing sponsors research lecture series
- April 6-May 4: Confucius Institute presents Chinese Film Series on Wednesdays
- April 6: IPCC's Pachauri to discuss sustainable development in DENIN Dialogue Series
- April 7: 'WVUDstock' radiothon concert announced
- April 8: English Language Institute presents 'Arts in Translation'
- April 9: Green and Healthy Living Expo planned at The Bob
- April 9: Center for Political Communication to host Onion editor
- April 10: Alumni Easter Egg-stravaganza planned
- April 11: CDS session to focus on visual assistive technologies
- April 12: T.J. Stiles to speak at UDLA annual dinner
- April 15, 16: Annual UD push lawnmower tune-up scheduled
- April 15, 16: Master Players series presents iMusic 4, China Magpie
- April 15, 16: Delaware Symphony, UD chorus to perform Mahler work
- April 18: Former NFL Coach Bill Cowher featured in UD Speaks
- April 21-24: Sesame Street Live brings Elmo and friends to The Bob
- April 30: Save the date for Ag Day 2011 at UD
- April 30: Symposium to consider 'Frontiers at the Chemistry-Biology Interface'
- April 30-May 1: Relay for Life set at Delaware Field House
- May 4: Delaware Membrane Protein Symposium announced
- May 5: Northwestern University's Leon Keer to deliver Kerr lecture
- May 7: Women's volleyball team to host second annual Spring Fling
- Through May 3: SPPA announces speakers for 10th annual lecture series
- Through May 4: Global Agenda sees U.S. through others' eyes; World Bank president to speak
- Through May 4: 'Research on Race, Ethnicity, Culture' topic of series
- Through May 9: Black American Studies announces lecture series
- Through May 11: 'Challenges in Jewish Culture' lecture series announced
- Through May 11: Area Studies research featured in speaker series
- Through June 5: 'Andy Warhol: Behind the Camera' on view in Old College Gallery
- Through July 15: 'Bodyscapes' on view at Mechanical Hall Gallery
- More What's Happening >>
- UD calendar >>
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- Phipps named HR Liaison of the Quarter
- Senior wins iPad for participating in assessment study
- April 19: Procurement Services schedules information sessions
- UD Bookstore announces spring break hours
- HealthyU Wellness Program encourages employees to 'Step into Spring'
- April 8-29: Faculty roundtable series considers student engagement
- GRE is changing; learn more at April 15 info session
- April 30: UD Evening with Blue Rocks set for employees
- Morris Library to be open 24/7 during final exams
- More Campus FYI >>
3:36 p.m., Sept. 10, 2009----A University of Delaware senior, Sergio Olaya, was among a group of private citizens invited to sit in the gallery during President Barack Obama's address on health care reform Wednesday evening, Sept. 9, to the Joint Session of Congress.
The group of guests included those who have struggled with the high cost of health care and were denied coverage or had to pay prohibitive amounts for care. They included six cancer patients, a Vietnam veteran and the uninsured father of a child who had seizures.
The group sat with Michelle Obama.
Olaya's mother, Clara, who was born in Colombia and was a U.S. citizen, had been working at the Centers for Disease Control, reaching out to the Hispanic and Latino communities.
While she was between federal jobs, she could not afford to pay for COBRA continuation health coverage while supporting Olaya in college. Then, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain tumor and was unable to work and receive coverage.
She died shortly thereafter but her medical bills had skyrocketed to $255,000, and Olaya was forced to sell the family home to pay the bills.
Although hardships were the common thread that united the group of guests, Olaya said it was huge honor to be invited to be in the gallery and to watch history being made. “The ambience and being there in person cannot be matched,” he said.
Olaya was first contacted Tuesday afternoon, and his invitation became official Wednesday morning. He went to the White House in the afternoon, talked to people in the external affairs office and gave a few interviews to Spanish newswires.
The group then was taken to the Capitol that evening.
After the speech, Michelle Obama shook his hand and said she was sorry he had been through so much hardship.
Jill Biden, who also was seated in the gallery, welcomed him and said she was pleased to have a UD student present. Both Jill Biden and her husband, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., are UD graduates.
Olaya also talked with Victoria Kennedy, widow of the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy, who was a strong supporter of health care reform. “I had worked as a U.S. Senate elevator operator while my mother's estate was under probate and used to see Sen. Kennedy frequently and played with his Portuguese dogs. Mrs. Kennedy was very compassionate about my mother as Ted Kennedy had the same kind of cancer,” Olaya said.
After his mother's estate was settled, Olaya, who also worked on the staff of U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin for six months, returned to UD to finish his degree.
A political science major, he said UD is a great fit for him. After graduation in January, he said he hopes to get an internship or job in government.
Article by Sue Moncure
Photo courtesy of Sergio Olaya