Diamond Walkway
Delaware Diamonds Society members gather for brick unveiling
4:38 p.m., Oct. 30, 2014--As the University of Delaware community geared up for the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 18, members of the Delaware Diamonds Society gathered for a morning brick unveiling event in Old College to honor the recipients of symbolic bricks in the adjacent Diamonds Walkway.
Every year, inscribed bricks are added to the large path connecting East Main Street with the steps of Old College to recognize University supporters who have been Delaware Diamonds Society members for the past five consecutive years.
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In her opening remarks, Monica Taylor, vice president of development and alumni relations, thanked members of the Delaware Diamonds Society, who each give $1,000 or more annually, for their support of the University.
“Today’s brick unveiling is just one way for us to say how profoundly grateful we are for your loyal leadership,” Taylor said.
“Until the 20th century, Old College was the University of Delaware,” Taylor added. “This is our foundation. And so this is a symbolic location to celebrate our esteemed leadership donors, because your support is in no small measure the foundation for the future of the University of Delaware.”
Throughout the morning, brick recipients and their guests enjoyed brunch provided by UD Catering, mingled with fellow guests and were guided to their bricks by University staff.
Both those receiving bricks for the first time this year and past brick recipients were excited to see their bricks in person. Brenda Hudson Shaffer, a first time brick recipient who graduated from the University in 1985 and received a master’s degree from UD in 2001, said she was honored to receive a brick.
“It’s an honor to have a brick because the University has been a legacy in my family,” Shaffer said. “I think it’s one of the best institutions in the world and I support it so that it can continue to be.”
While bricks traditionally include the recipient’s name, graduation year and spouse’s name, recipients can personalize their bricks however they would like, some even professing their UD love with inscriptions like “Blue Hens 4 Ever.”
Another new brick recipient this year, 2006 MBA graduate Pierre Anderson chose to honor his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother by listing their names in his brick inscription. Anderson said he feels that the bricks are an excellent symbol for what it means to give back to the University.
“It represents the feeling that donors have when they give in a tangible way,” Anderson said. “Normally it’s more abstract. I think that’s a unique thing.”
A graduate of the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Anderson donates to UD out of a desire to support students in that college.
“I’m absolutely certain that the education I received here contributed to my success and well-being, and I want to make sure the next generation of students has the same opportunities,” Anderson said.
Class of 1964 alumnus and past brick recipient Robert Parsons notes that, as permanent fixtures in the Diamonds Walkway, the bricks will symbolize the contributions of Delaware Diamonds Society members well into the future.
“It’s a nice thing that my son will walk up and see my brick, that my grandchildren will walk up and see my brick and will say, ‘Look, there’s Pop.’”
Article by Rachel Nass
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson