The University of Delaware’s Division of Student Life is pleased to announce that rising junior Adolphus Fletcher has won the 2018 George and Margaret Collins Seitz Award in recognition of his embodiment of the student-created “We Are Blue Hens” values statement. Fletcher’s peer mentorship and tireless community advocacy was noticed by David Teague, a professor of literature in the Associate in Arts Program, who emphasized Fletcher’s “incredibly advanced ability to recognize and respect different strengths and abilities in his fellow students and in the community partners with whom he works.”

The fund for the George and Margaret Collins Seitz Award was established in 1954 at UD by Margaret Seitz to honor the memory of her mother and father. This annual recognition, which includes a $1,500 award, is presented each spring to a first- or second-year student who exemplifies outstanding character by demonstrating and encouraging in others the “We Are Blue Hens” values: respect, engagement, mentorship, innovation, and openness.

In his nomination, Teague explained how Fletcher works on the assumption that everyone is doing their best, and described how his active listening, collaborative nature, and proactive recognition of others’ contributions has benefited numerous projects inside and outside of the classroom.

“Adolphus has been a tireless innovator in the community engagement work I’ve supervised,” Teague said. “Currently, he is the leader of a working group designing a “Night at the Museum” literacy event for the students of Stubbs Elementary to be held at the Delaware Historical Society, and is now in the process of scaling up to include other members of the community. He is also one of four inaugural Wilmington Summer Scholars, tasked with establishing the specific form the UD/City of Wilmington/Delaware State University policy partnership will take. This is an extremely important responsibility not only on the level of the policy partnership, but also for the Wilmington teenagers Adolphus will be helping.”

Meaghan Davidson, assistant dean of students, said, “We’re so pleased to be able to recognize Adolphus for his contributions within the campus and local communities. His devotion to his work and volunteerism, as well as personal mentorship of fellow students and friends, is inspirational to us all.”

Fletcher and his family were celebrated at a luncheon in his honor on June 13 with his nominator, Latoya Watson, academic assistant dean, and Adam Cantley, interim dean of students.