UD’s newest students gather on The Green for the University’s Twilight Induction Ceremony, a ritual that welcomes to campus all new students and marks the official start of their time at UD.

One community. One UD.

Article by Amy Wolf Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson, Evan Krape and Maria Errico August 26, 2025

UD welcomes new students at symbolic Twilight Induction Ceremony

Emely Mercado, a first-generation college student from Newark, Delaware, looked around The Green at her University of Delaware peers, each holding a candle symbolizing their individual academic journeys. She felt a lot of emotions on the eve of college — excitement, nervousness, pride and, most prominent, disbelief that she, too, was about to officially become a part of the Blue Hen community.

“I'm still shocked that I'm here. I never thought I would've made it here, to college,” she said. “This candle-lighting ceremony is really beautiful, really mesmerizing, and it feels like a big moment. So right now I'm just taking it all in. It’s a good feeling.”

Mercado’s journey began alongside more than 4,600 other new Blue Hens at the annual Twilight Induction Ceremony, a campus tradition that welcomes new students and kicks off their first semester at UD. The ceremony is the culmination of Welcome Days, several days of activities and opportunities for new students to learn about the campus and meet their classmates.

Emely Mercado (left), an integrated health sciences major and first-generation college student, said she’s proud to be starting her journey as a Blue Hen. She’s pictured with classmate and friend Eva Ortega, an education major.

UD Interim President Laura Carlson, a self-proclaimed word nerd, shared the Oxford Dictionary definition of community: a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

“You have both of these elements. You are gathered here with others who will go through the college journey with you, starting at this time and at this place,” she said. “And you have an immediate characteristic in common — you are all Blue Hens.”

Carlson told students that, as Blue Hens, they are part of a community dedicated to learning, service and each other.

One way that people show they belong to a community is by embracing its traditions, Carlson said, adding that traditions include songs like the UD Fight Song and Alma Mater. A new addition to the annual Twilight ceremony, the Blue Hens broke into two groups to see who could deliver the best rendition of the Fight Song. After YoUDee determined both teams to be winners, students joined in to sing the song again, this time as one unified UD community.

Members of the UD Marching Band lead students in a UD Fight Song sing-off.

“Tonight isn't just about tradition and candle lighting.… It's about community. And now you are officially a Blue Hen,” said José-Luis Riera, vice president for student life. “As a Blue Hen, you're part of a community that cares about you in your entirety — your multiple identities, your academic success, your wellbeing and your social transition to college. At the University of Delaware, we are here to do life together.”

“Tonight isn't just about tradition and candle lighting… It's about community. And now you are officially a Blue Hen,” said José-Luis Riera, vice president for student life.

Interim Provost William Farquhar encouraged the new Blue Hens to make the most of their four years at UD by taking advantage of all that the University has to offer, whether that’s studying abroad, learning a different language, or discovering a new passion.

“As you sit here tonight, maybe you'll feel pretty certain about the path ahead, or maybe you're not so sure yet — all of that is okay,” Farquhar said. “That's what learning is all about — curiosity, discovery, expanding your mind, exploring new ideas, looking at new ways of doing things and being open to new experiences.

Interim Provost William Farquhar encouraged the new Blue Hens to make the most of their four years at UD by taking advantage of all that the University has to offer.

Andrew May, a sports health major from Salem, New Jersey, said it was surreal to be starting his college career among all of his classmates.

“It's kind of crazy to think that there's this many people in your class,” he said. “You go from high school where, where I'm from, there were a hundred kids in my class. But you see so many people here, and it's crazy to really process that.”

Andrew May (right), a sports health major, said it was surreal to be starting his college career among all of his classmates. He’s pictured with classmate Jayson Askins-Brooks, a computer science major.

Mia Markley, a human services major from Massachusetts, enjoyed Welcome Days and said it was nice to get to know her UD community before classes begin.

“I feel like it's a hard thing to get all these people together, so it's nice that we're able to do this and find a special thing we can all have in common,” she said.

Mia Markley (far right), a human services major, enjoyed Welcome Days and said it was nice to get to know her UD community before classes begin.

Katherine Slough, student body president, encouraged new students to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, noting that it takes time to build community.

“You will face many decisions and challenges during your journey here,” she said. “I had to force myself into uncomfortable situations like talking to strangers in classes and going through sorority recruitment, but now those people are my closest friends. You must learn to do things even when you are scared.”

Carlson told students that, as Blue Hens, they are part of a community dedicated to learning, service and each other.

“I hope that during moments good and bad over these next years that you remember tonight and this incredible community we all create together as Blue Hens — now, here and forever,” she said.