Two distinguished and long-time members of the University of Delaware community – Evelyn Hayes and Louis L. Hirsh – have been recognized with the University’s Medal of Distinction. Hayes is Trustees’ Distinguished Professor Emerita of Nursing, and Hirsh is retired director of admissions.

Presented by the Board of Trustees, the medal honors individuals who have made humanitarian, cultural, intellectual or scientific contributions to society; have achieved noteworthy success in their professions; or have given significant service to the University, the state and the region.

The presentation of the medals was made by Board Chairman John Cochran and President Dennis Assanis at a reception following the May Board of Trustees meeting.

Evelyn Hayes                         

“Upon hearing from Jeff Garland [vice president and University secretary] that I was selected I told him I was very surprised, honored, humbled and delighted — all at the same time,” said Hayes.

Although retired, she is busier than ever, working with the American/Delaware Nurses Associations, Newark Morning Rotary Club, Delaware Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, Delaware Medical Reserve Corps and Philanthropic Educational Organization, to name a few. She established the Evelyn Hayes Innovations in Healthcare Symposium Series at the University of Delaware and is an avid supporter of the STAR Health Nurse Managed Primary Care Center.

Very early on as an undergraduate student at Cornell, Hayes recalls being drawn to a stained glass window of the Good Samaritan. The image contained the words, ‘Go, and Do Thou Likewise.’ Her motivation toward helping others guided her over a long, distinguished career at UD and now into retirement.

“I tend to involve myself in mission-driven opportunities. Over the years, I have developed a sense of perseverance,” she said with a laugh. “Volunteering is an important part of life. We are meant to share the gifts that we have. I believe faculty and staff serve as ambassadors for the University.”

Hayes said she is particularly inspired by innovations and changes taking place in the STAR Health Sciences Complex. “Seeing the change in people’s and families’ lives as a result of research, education and clinical care is truly motivating. The future is bright here. I’m so proud to see the growth and depth of the University’s mission for teaching scholarship, service and its impact on the community. We really are partnering with the community and the opportunities are limitless.”

Louis L. Hirsh

Hirsh served as director of admissions at the University from 2003-12, a period that saw steady growth in undergraduate admissions as well as the implementation of the Commitment to Delawareans. He came to Delaware in 1984, as assistant director of the Honors Program and academic adviser for honors admissions. He was named associate director of admissions in 1986, deputy director in 2002 and director the following year. 

The board resolution awarding Hirsh the Medal of Distinction said, in part, “under his leadership, the University of Delaware Office of Admissions was recognized for setting the highest standards of excellence and integrity in its efforts to increase the academic quality of the University’s undergraduate student body,” and it noted that he “continues to be held in high esteem and admiration by his University colleagues for his passionate support and outstanding service to the University….”

About the honor, Hirsh said, “I expected to feel moved and honored by the Medal of Distinction ceremony, but it was an even more emotional experience for me than I expected. Partly it was hearing John Cochran, the chairman of UD’s Board of Trustees, and Dennis Assanis, UD’s president, say so many gracious things about me. Partly it was seeing at the ceremony David and Louise Roselle, Dan and Nancy Rich, Burnaby Munson, Fred Siegel, Michael Arnold, Christine Schultz, Amy Foley, Bill Bickley, and (of course!) my wife, Peg -- people who played such a major role in my career and life.

“When my colleagues and I admitted students into the University of Delaware, we knew we were admitting them into one of the best undergraduate experiences our country has to offer,” he said. “The Medal of Distinction ceremony and the people I saw at that ceremony reminded me of that important truth.”