The spirit of generosity among University of Delaware alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff is giving Blue Hens a reason to feel especially proud this National Philanthropy Day—in fact, there are more than 700 million reasons.

National Philanthropy Day, every Nov. 15, is a celebration of generosity and volunteerism efforts across the country, an opportunity to reflect on the impact people make on their community and a reminder to offer others support.

The day highlights small acts of kindness that can add up to a big gesture, and Blue Hens know firsthand the collective power of giving. During the past fiscal year, from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, more than 29,000 donors stepped up to provide support for projects close to their hearts, from scholarships to program support and research funding to facility space. Together, donors pushed the Campaign’s total fundraising to more than $700 million, helping to create even more extraordinary student experiences and expanding the University’s impact on the world.

With generous support, Delaware First: The Campaign for the University of Delaware continues to break records and empower the campus community as the largest engagement and fundraising campaign in UD’s history. Through their philanthropic giving, donors continue to provide funds to enhance and establish student scholarships and fellowships, endowed professorships, research funds, facilities and experiential learning opportunities across UD.

Much of the support directly helps individual students. For example, philanthropy enables UD’s Student Crisis Fund to provide financial assistance for students experiencing an unexpected challenge.

“Thank you to those who support UD’s Student Crisis Fund. If not for this support, I probably wouldn’t have received a degree,” said Brianna Moran, a 2019 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences who needed additional help when an unexpected medical crisis led to medical bills and time off from work. “This experience has really taught me how to find hope in the little things.”

In addition to funds, scholarships, fellowships and more for students, donors, fueled by Delaware First, are transforming campus with places for groundbreaking research and transformational learning, as well as spaces for the Blue Hen community to come together.

Pride in their alma mater and a sense of community inspired Double Dels Steven and Mary Jo Brockel, 1972 graduates of the College of Engineering and College of Education and Human Development, respectively, to give back to the University, including to the project that is already helping to transform Delaware Stadium and build the Whitney Athletic Center.

For Steven Brockel, each UD football or basketball game he attends is a good one because it brings Blue Hens together.

“We’re season ticketholders for basketball and football, and whenever we go, we always bring someone to the game or see other close friends,” said Brockel. “Our friends and family are all involved in one way or another because we all connected at UD. We’re very active, very proud Delaware graduates.”

Their gift made them one of the more than 700 households who supported the project and helped ensure the athletics facility projects are well underway. The newly renovated West Stands in Delaware Stadium were unveiled with this football season’s first game, and the Whitney Athletic Center is on track to open in fall 2020.

Campus is also transforming through philanthropy thanks to such buildings as the Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center and Tower at STAR on the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus. Here, students, faculty, staff and industry partners will have innovative spaces to make life-changing discoveries and to participate in hands-on learning. Additionally, renovations in buildings like Worrilow Hall and Drake Hall will provide students with innovative spaces for collaborative learning and key hands-on research opportunities.

“We are grateful to the thousands of generous UD supporters who are literally transforming campus and shaping the future of UD,” said Jim Dicker, vice president of Development and Alumni Relations. “The immeasurable impact of the contributions is ensuring our Blue Hens are well-prepared to be the leaders of the tomorrow. As Delaware First continues, priorities and programs across the University also are evolving and growing. But each will still be united by a common theme: passion for helping Blue Hens excel and achieve.”

About the Campaign

Delaware First: The Campaign for the University of Delaware was publicly launched on Nov. 10, 2017. The comprehensive engagement and fundraising campaign unites Blue Hens across the nation to accelerate UD’s mission of cultivating tomorrow’s leaders, creating solutions to grand challenges, inspiring innovations and transforming lives. The united effort will help create an extraordinary student experience at UD and extend its impact on the region and the world.

For more information, call 302-831-2104 or email campaign-info@udel.edu.