Alumni open festivities
Alumni procession opens UD's 164th Commencement ceremony
3:13 p.m., May 25, 2013--A procession featuring alumni from the 1950s through the 2010s opened the University of Delaware’s 164th Commencement ceremony held Saturday, May 25, at Delaware Stadium.
The alumni procession represents all UD alumni around the world, which at the conclusion of Saturday’s ceremony number more than 160,000 in 75 countries.
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Leading the delegates were two outstanding members of the Class of 2013 – Melanie Allen and Max Logan Kramer, recipients of the Emalea Pusey Warner and Alexander J. Taylor Sr. awards, respectively. The awards are given annually by the UD Alumni Association to recognize the senior woman and man who most exemplify leadership, academic success and community service.
Allen and Kramer were joined at the head of the procession by Rita Pesce-Hollingsworth, a 1982 alumna, and Kenneth Boyle, a 1978 alumnus, both of the UD Alumni Association.
Also marching in this year’s procession were members of the Class of 1963, celebrating 50 years as Blue Hens, and representatives of classes from the 1950s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s, the 2000s and the 2010s.
“We are very pleased to have our Alumni Delegates here for these Commencement ceremonies,” UD President Patrick Harker said, welcoming the contingent.
As part of the ceremonies, Darelle Lake Riabov, a 1973 graduate and UD Alumni Association president, welcomed the Class of 2013 into the organization. She encouraged the new alumni to “find ways to be involved with your Blue Hen family now, and for the next 40 years.”
As new alumni, the graduates participated in a pinning ceremony.
Photos by Evan Krape, Doug Baker and Mark Campbell