2:13 p.m., Sept. 1, 2010----Following New Student Convocation, members of the University of Delaware Class of 2014 were treated to a barbecue just outside the Delaware Field House and all class members were encouraged to sign their class banner.

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The banner, sponsored by the UD Alumni Association, featured the phrase “Students Today. Blue Hens Forever.” Those words were spoken by President Patrick Harker moments earlier during Convocation.

Carle Foster, a 1986 graduate and chair of the UD Alumni Association Outreach Committee, attended the post-Convocation welcoming and said he was pleased to see so many students getting involved with the UD community.

"I was so happy to see the enthusiasm shown by the Class of 2014 regarding signing their class banner. It's important for all students to understand that being a Blue Hen is about more than just the four years you spend on campus, which is why the UDAA wanted to start this new tradition. I had hoped the students would embrace the signing, but I didn't expect such a fantastic response,” Foster said.

Lauren Simione, a 1995 graduate and assistant director of alumni relations, estimated that well over 1,000 freshmen signed the banner.

“It was great to see so many new Blue Hens jump at the chance to literally make their mark on behalf of their class,” Simione said. “This is the first time anything like this has been done at UD and the response was great.”

The banner will be displayed in the student centers throughout this school year, at events over the course of the next four years -- including Commencement in 2014 -- and at class reunions.

For those members of the Class of 2014 who missed the opportunity to sign the class banner, the banner will be available for signing on Tuesday, Sept. 7, from noon-4 p.m., at Alumni Hall, 24 East Main St.

The UD Alumni Association (UDAA) was founded in 1846 and all alumni are automatically made members upon graduation. The UDAA's mission states that it “is proudly dedicated to engaging our entire alumni community by fostering a tradition of lifelong loyalty and commitment to University of Delaware. We provide exceptional value and ongoing support to our alumni worldwide.”

Article by Stephen Mangat