VOLUME 21 #2

Current cover

click here to view pdf

 

DEPARTMENTS

From our Alumni Association

Alumni Association President Kenneth Jones

I am honored to begin my service as the 29th president of the UD Alumni Association. A special thanks goes to my predecessor, Darelle Riabov ’73, for her leadership and commitment to UD and the board. She has left me with very big shoes to fill, and I look forward to the challenge over the next two years.

During the Alumni Weekend event that featured President Harker’s State of the University address, Darelle outlined several recent board accomplishments, and I want to share a few. In 2009, the association created a strategic plan and has implemented numerous changes with that plan in mind. Among the many successes are new annual class activities—from a freshman class banner signing, to the new senior class cap decorating party, and finally the alumni pinning ceremony at Commencement—all designed to make students aware of the association even before they graduate and automatically become members.

The UDAA has implemented an annual open house to increase alumni interest in serving on the board and to keep former members engaged after they “graduate” from board service. And, a variety of volunteer activities have been formalized to allow those board members to continue their involvement with the University.

The association’s focus isn’t just on campus. The UDAA has increased its financial support to affinity groups such as the Black Alumni Organization and to the many regional alumni clubs. These groups are a great way for alumni to stay connected wherever they live in the U.S.

That’s just a sampling of some of the new ideas, and with so many exciting things under way it is a fine time to be a Blue Hen. To learn more about the UDAA, see the insert in this magazine. If you were unable to attend this year’s Alumni Weekend, you missed the best one yet. There were over 5,000 alumni and friends in attendance, and more than 2,000 stayed overnight in the residence halls. If you have not yet made it back to campus recently, you owe it to yourself to see what all the excitement is about. With more and more national attention, it is easy to see why Delaware is no longer a well-kept secret.

I’d like to thank the UDAA “Class of 2013” graduating members for their commitment to the board: Anne Giacoma Barretta 83AS, Carle Foster 86BE, Kerry Orendorf Halbedl 02BE, Rita Pesce Hollingsworth 82BE, Doug Motley 00BE and Roger Post 74EH. Anne will serve as our next vice president and Kerry as treasurer.

I’d also like to welcome our new board members. Please see page 62 to learn more about these proud Blue Hens. I look forward to working with the entire board to continue to serve all future and current Blue Hens.

Sincerely,

Kenneth C. Jones 80BE
President, UD Alumni Association

  • University of Delaware   •   Newark, DE 19716   •   USA   •   Phone: (302) 831-2792   •   © 2018