Blue Hens and friends give back
Photos by Evan Krape and Kathy Atkinson / Photo illustration by Office of Development and Alumni Relations December 12, 2025
UD community rallies to support causes across campus on GivingTuesday
On GivingTuesday, Dec. 2, the Blue Hen community came together to show their support for the University of Delaware. Collectively, over 2,500 donors contributed more than $350,530 for UD causes, led by students, faculty, staff and alumni, on this global day of philanthropy.
This year’s event featured more than 130 fundraising projects, giving the UD community more opportunities than ever to support their favorite causes. These initiatives represented programs from across the University, ranging from scholarship funds and research projects to student organizations and sports teams.
“The outpouring of support this year perfectly exemplifies how passionate the UD community is about helping others,” said Beth Brand, vice president of development and alumni relations. “Because of our generous donors, students can follow their educational dreams, pursue exciting hands-on learning opportunities, connect with the local community and so much more. We’re thankful to everyone who supported the UD programs they care about this GivingTuesday.”
Many University programs rely on funds raised through HenFunder—the University’s crowdfunding platform—to provide immediate support for their projects or initiatives.
Thanks to donor support on GivingTuesday, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams raised the funds needed to attend their annual Training Trip to Florida Gulf Coast Aquatic Center over winter session. During the week-long experience, they will have the opportunity to train outdoors in a warmer climate and compete against Florida Gulf Coast University and Southern Methodist University.
“Training Trip transforms our team in ways that extend far beyond the pool,” said junior Olivia Willemsen. “The shared early mornings, challenging sets and moments of encouragement create a foundation of trust and camaraderie that becomes our greatest competitive advantage. We develop an unshakeable belief in one another, push each other harder and hold each other to higher standards. We return home as athletes who are mentally tougher and deeply connected as teammates…none of this would be possible without the incredible support of our coaches, donors and parents.”
Gifts made on GivingTuesday will help cover the costs of flights, lodging, meals, bus transportation, facility rental fees and team-building activities.
UD’s chapter of Hillel also saw success this GivingTuesday, drawing in more donors than any other featured project. For years, donor support has funded free campus programming for Jewish students, including weekly Shabbat dinners, High Holiday services and meals, leadership opportunities and social events.
The support comes at an especially exciting time for the group, as the University recently broke ground on the new Stuart and Suzanne Grant Hillel at the Kristol Center for Jewish Life.
“The Grant Hillel at UD wouldn’t exist without our incredible network of supporters,” said Donna Schwartz, executive director of the Grant Hillel at the Kristol Center for Jewish Life. “We rely on days like GivingTuesday to raise funds to continue to meet the ever-changing needs of Jewish Blue Hens. We are grateful to be able to partner with the University to help share our students’ stories to grow Jewish life on campus.”
Another notable project, the Dr. Roland Roth Ecology Woods Fund, stood out for raising the most money this GivingTuesday. This fund, which was established in honor of the longtime Entomology and Wildlife Ecology faculty member Roland Roth shortly before he passed away in June 2024, supports student experiences in the recently named Roland Roth Ecology Woods.
“Participating in GivingTuesday is an easy, yet meaningful way, to engage alumni and friends in supporting important initiatives,” said Karen Moline, associate dean for strategic initiatives and planning in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“Those who have rallied together to support the Roth Ecology Woods believe in the mission of the project, are inspired by the legacy of Dr. Roth and want to be part of advancing education and conservation efforts in this critical natural resource on UD’s campus. All I did was organize the message and light the match. Everyone else fanned the flames into an inferno of generosity.” Moline, who is also the daughter of the late Dr. Roth, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the department and her family.
All featured fundraising projects are still accepting gifts through December 31. If you missed the opportunity to support your favorite causes on GivingTuesday, visit udel.edu/givingtuesday to make a difference for our Blue Hen community.
Be sure to save the date for UD’s largest annual fundraising event, I Heart UD Giving Day, to be held on April 29, 2026.
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