Gene Koshinski and Tim Broscious, UD Faculty Artists in Residence with their group Quey Percussion Duo, won a 2025 Chamber Music America Commissioning grant to commission, workshop and premiere a new musical work with world renowned composer Mary Ellen Childs. The CMA commissioning grant program is very selective.  Of 196 applicants this year, Quey Percussion Duo was one of four chamber ensembles selected to receive a $10,000 grant for their project.

Grants

  The Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Center (IHRC) has announced support for the following faculty grants, which have been awarded for the 2025–2026 academic year.

• Jennifer Van Horn, Department of Art History, and Catharine Dann Roeber, Winterthur Program in American Material Culture, for their project, Disability and American Art Histories: Digital Access and Creativity at Winterthur Museum.
• Rosalyn Washington, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, and Elizabeth Fournier, director of the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management program in the Biden School, for their project Invisible Labors: Exploring Home Care Work Through Curated Collections.
• Sean Zdenek, Department of English, for his project, AI Literacy Day.
• David Satran, Department of English and faculty director for the Associate in Arts Program, for his project Semiquincentennial Commemoration of the Declaration of Independence (1776).

Service

On Aug. 6, 2025,13 social studies teachers from across Delaware gathered at the University for the 2025 Civics that Empowers All Students (CEAS) program. The Delaware Center for Civics Education (DCCE) at UD’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA) organized this program in support of We the People, a flagship civic education program organized by the Center for Civic Education. Scott Abbott, DCCE assistant director, coordinated the programming for CEAS at UD with support from IPA research assistants, staff and three education mentors who led sessions for the group. Throughout the program, educators engaged with practical learning strategies and innovative teaching plans, demonstrating how instructional strategies from We the People, combined with Delaware model lessons to prepare students for simulated congressional hearings. One activity included selecting and testifying in favor of a candy that would best represent the U.S. government, which showcased the process for the simulated hearings. Read more about the program’s launch in 2024.

Appointments 

The Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Center has appointed Phil Gentry, associate professor of music history, as interim director for fall 2025. 

UD’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) has announced the appointment of three accomplished professionals to key leadership roles within its Wilmington and Kent/Sussex programs. Each brings extensive expertise in education, program development and community engagement and will contribute significantly to advancing OLLI’s mission of delivering high-quality lifelong learning opportunities for adults ages 50 and better across Delaware and the mid-Atlantic region.

• Monica Browne has been appointed program manager for OLLI in Kent and Sussex counties. She holds a doctorate in education from Seton Hall University and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in K–12 and higher education, including roles as principal, superintendent and adjunct professor. Her prior work with UD and established connections in southern Delaware will support the continued development and expansion of OLLI’s programs in these counties.
• Caitlin McGeever has been appointed program coordinator for OLLI Wilmington. McGeever is an experienced educator and historian with a background in academic and public history. She holds a doctorate in history from George Mason University with research focused on early American religion, gender and family, and a concentration in Quaker studies. In her new role, she will support the continued development of OLLI’s academic programming and member engagement in Wilmington.
• Lisa Coldiron has been named program coordinator for OLLI Kent/Sussex. Coldiron is a seasoned educational leader with a background in early childhood education and community outreach. She previously served as the founding principal of Sussex Montessori School and held leadership roles with Read Aloud Delaware and the Sussex County Health Coalition. Her experience will be instrumental in supporting program growth and outreach in the region.

“The University of Delaware and the OLLI community welcome Monica Browne, Caitlin McGeever and Lisa Coldiron to their new roles,” said Karen Asenavage Loptes, director of the UD Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. “Their collective expertise will enhance OLLI’s capacity to serve its members and fulfill its educational mission statewide.” As one of the nation’s earliest and largest lifelong learning programs, OLLI offers adults ages 50 and better the opportunity to participate in enriching volunteer-led courses with no grades or exams at locations throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle counties. Learn more at olli.udel.edu.

Cori (Gaul) Burbach, who earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 2006 from the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, was recently elected as the midwest regional vice president of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). ICMA is a leading organization of local government professionals that provides membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, and technical assistance. As a student, Burbach completed a research assistantship at UD’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA) and currently works as assistant city manager for the city of Dubuque, Iowa. 

Kristy Rogers, a former participant in IPA's long-running Delaware Municipal Clerks Institute training program and town manager of Milton, Delaware, was elected as the ICMA northeast regional vice president. Rogers’ career commenced as a town clerk, where she earned her certification through the DMCI. 

In Memoriam

Kathleen Bieker, retired assistant dean at the Parallel Program (now the Associate in Arts Program) in Dover, died Aug. 19, 2025. She retired from UD in 2004.

Jay Halio, professor emeritus of English, died Aug. 29, 2025. During his 35-year tenure at UD, he also served as director of the Jewish Studies Program, editor of the University of Delaware Press and associate provost of instruction. Dr. Halio retired in 2003.

Ryan McGinty, audio engineering technician in the Department of Theatre and Dance, died Aug. 12, 2025. He joined the UD staff in 2015.

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