The University of Delaware’s 1743 Welcome Days leadership team has announced the winning student speaker for the annual Twilight Induction Ceremony, junior Varsha Kripalu.

Kripalu, an Honors Program student majoring in biology, was selected from a highly competitive group of applicants to address UD’s Class of 2021 as they experience their first moments on campus.

“I feel humbled and incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to welcome the Class of 2021 as the Twilight Ceremony student speaker,” Kripalu said. “This is the first time that students will be with all of their classmates at once, with the last time being at graduation. I vividly remember holding my candle, anxiously looking around me wondering where life would take me. Little did I know that I would make my best friends here, discover my passion for a variety of activities here, and create some of the most wonderful memories I will ever have here.

“I hope I am able to provide some words of wisdom, humor, and excitement for students as they enter some of the best years of their lives. I cannot wait to welcome a great group of leaders, more importantly Blue Hens, into the UD family.”

Kripalu will join a panel of distinguished faculty and staff in welcoming the University’s newest Blue Hens. The brief candlelight ceremony, now in its sixth year, serves as the opening weekend finale to 1743 Welcome Days – a series of celebratory events facilitated through UD’s Division of Student Life in collaboration with campus partners that is designed to welcome new students and assist them in making a successful transition to their life at the University.

All members of the University community are welcomed and encouraged to attend the Twilight Induction Ceremony on Monday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. on The Green south of Memorial Hall, and to participate in social media conversations via the hashtag #udwelcome.