A history of presidential visits to campus
Photos courtesy of University Archives and by Evan Krape February 16, 2024
UD has hosted visits by sitting presidents, past presidents and candidates who would go on to occupy the Oval Office
Since its founding, the University of Delaware has hosted visits by six sitting presidents, past presidents and candidates who would go on to occupy the Oval Office.
In celebration of Presidents Day, here is a list of visits by presidents — former, sitting and those who would later become president — based on a search of university archival material.
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft gave the Commencement address at Delaware College on June 10, 1918. Later that day, the Women’s College held its first Commencement, at which Taft did not speak. In 1914 — prior to Taft’s visit to campus but after his U.S. presidency, Taft was asked by UD Trustee George W. Marshall if he would be interested in the UD presidency for an annual salary of $5,000, according to a newspaper article from that year. Taft replied, “I could not accept the presidency of any university for two reasons: first, because I am not fitted for it, and second, because I have other work in which I believe I can do more good.” Taft later became the 10th Chief Justice of the United States, the only person to have served in both offices.
Warren G. Harding
Prior to 2022, Warren G. Harding was the only sitting U.S. president to visit UD’s campus. While on his way through Delaware from Wilmington to Milford on June 11, 1923, Harding stopped in Newark for about 10 minutes after driving slowly through Main Street between a double line of applauding residents along his route. He then drove along The Green before stopping at Residence Hall at the Women’s College — now Warner Hall — and spoke briefly to students, trustees, faculty and community members following the Women’s College Commencement Ceremony.
Gerald R. Ford
Former President Gerald R. Ford presented a lecture titled “Our Constitution: The White House and the Congress” on Jan. 22, 1987, the first event in the University’s yearlong celebration of the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. Speaking to a more-than-capacity crowd in Clayton Hall, Ford accused Congress of infringing on the constitutional rights of the presidency, according to an article in The Review.
George H.W. Bush
George H.W. Bush, then vice president, spoke at the Founders Day celebration on Nov. 5, 1983, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the educational institution to which the University traces its roots. At the event, Bush received an honorary doctor of law degree.
Jimmy Carter
Former President Jimmy Carter came to UD on Feb. 16, 1993, to receive the first Karl W. Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit, awarded in recognition of his efforts to focus the world’s attention on the need for renewable energy and spur further development of solar technologies. Despite wintry weather conditions, about 3,500 people attended the event at the Bob Carpenter Center, which was the culmination of a daylong international solar energy symposium held at UD, focused on “Balancing Energy, the Economy and Ecology: The Solar Energy Contribution.”
Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Joseph R. Biden Jr., the 46th president of the United States and a UD alumnus, delivered the Commencement address on May 28, 2022, the second time in University history that a sitting president came to campus. Since his graduation from UD in 1965, Biden has visited his alma mater many times, while serving as U.S. senator, vice president and president. Official visits have included Dec. 7, 2016 for the inauguration of Dennis Assanis as UD’s 28th president, Dec. 11, 2018 for the establishment of the Joseph R. Biden Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, and commencement speeches in 1978, 1987, 2004 and 2014. The Blue Hen has also been known to visit campus for a football or basketball game — or even a scoop of UDairy ice cream.
Contact Us
Have a UDaily story idea?
Contact us at ocm@udel.edu
Members of the press
Contact us at 302-831-NEWS or visit the Media Relations website
ADVERTISEMENT
Resources
Office of Communications & Marketing 105 E. Main St. Newark, DE 19716 ocm@udel.edu Phone: 302-831-2792