The University of Delaware Board of Trustees meeting on May 13 and General Faculty meeting on May 14 featured similar presentations by then-President Dennis Assanis regarding the highlights and accomplishments of his nine-year tenure.

Assanis, who stepped down effective June 30, expressed his gratitude to trustees and the faculty for their collaboration and support during his presidency. Among many accomplishments, he highlighted increases in student access and success, development of The Green and the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, expansion of UD’s research enterprise, and growth in faculty ranks. Assanis noted that UD’s advances have been reflected in higher national rankings.

Also at the Board of Trustees meeting, Provost Laura Carlson provided an update on the incoming class of students.

Trustees approved several resolutions, including:

• awarding honorary degrees to Dennis Assanis, John Carney, John R. Cochran III, Robin Morgan, Matthew O’Donnell, and Lynette Overby;
• recognizing gifts to the University;
• approving the permanent status of the M.A. in Strategic Communication degree;
• approving the establishment of a new 4+1 B.B.E./M.S. in Biopharmaceutical Sciences;
• approving the establishment of a new 4+1 B.S. in Health Behavior Science/M.S. in Health Promotion program;
• approving the establishment of new 4+1 programs in the following fields: B.S. in Applied Physics and MBA degree, B.S. in Astronomy and MBA degree, B.A. in Physics and MBA degree, and B.S. in Physics and MBA degree;
• approving the permanent status of the M.S. in Athletic Training program;
• approving the establishment of a new 4+1 B.S. in Marine Science and M.S. in Marine Studies with either a Concentration in Marine BioSciences or a Concentration in Oceanography;
• approving establishment of new 4+1 programs in the following fields: B.S. in PreVeterinary Medicine and M.S. in Animal Science, B.S. in Animal Bioscience and M.S. in Animal Science, and B.S./M.S. in Animal Science;
• approving the establishment of a new 4+1 degree program for a B.S. in Food Science and non-thesis M.S. in Food Science with a concentration in Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership;
• approving the permanent status of the Bachelor of Materials Science and Engineering (BMSE) degree;
• approving the establishment of a new 4+1 Bachelors in Materials Science and Engineering and Masters in Materials Science and Engineering degree program;
• approving the permanent status of the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program in the Biden School;
• approving a 4+1 program for the Marketing B.S./Business Analytics and Information Management M.S.;
• approving the establishment of a new M.S. in Nursing Program Concentration for Nursing Education;
• recognizing new named professorships, promotions and tenure decisions;
• approving all prior actions taken on behalf of the University related to the planning and design of the Laurel Hall Remediation as described on the associated project summary, and the Executive Committee further authorized the administration to take all actions necessary and appropriate to execute this project;
• approving all prior actions taken on behalf of the University related to the planning and design of the Morris Library Special Collections – Lasner Collection as described on the associated project summary, and the Executive Committee further authorized the administration to take all actions necessary and appropriate to execute this project;
• approving the fiscal year 2026 Tuition Rates and Fees and fiscal year 2026 Operating and Capital Budget. If the State of Delaware budget appropriation to the University is materially different than the appropriation estimate used in the annual budget provided in the Board materials, the administration will return to each of the Finance and Executive Committees with an adjusted fiscal year 2026 Operating and Capital Budget for consideration and approval which will take into account the final appropriation received; and
• approving the endowment spending rate for fiscal year 2026.

Also at the meeting, the Board recognized Cochran III and Assanis for their exemplary service. The Board announced the establishment of the John and Patricia Cochran Student Success Fund in recognition of Mr. and Mrs. Cochran for providing support for critical experiential learning for associate and art students in perpetuity. The Board approved honoring Assanis as President Emeritus.

The University of Delaware Medal of Distinction was awarded to Eleni Assanis for her meaningful contributions to the University.