For the Record, Oct. 9, 2026

Article by UDaily staff Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson October 09, 2026

University of Delaware community reports new presentations, publications, appointments and honors

For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of University of Delaware faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Recent presentations, publications, appointments and honors include the following:

Presentations

Julie L. McGee, associate University librarian for Special Collections and director of Museums, gave a presentation on artist David C. Driskell at the Jenkins Johnson Gallery in San Francisco in conjunction with NEXUS SF/Bay Area Black Art week.

On Sept. 23, 2026, MariaJosé Riera, manager of Special Academic Programs at the English Language Institute (ELI), and Natacha Reyes-Fisher, director of recruitment and selection at Admissions, led a workshop for EducationUSA Peru. They presented on the Common App and undergraduate opportunities for international students at University of Delaware to students from Peru applying for admissions to competitive U.S. universities.

Publications

Rudi Matthee, John and Dorothy Munroe Distinguished Professor of History, published “Bloody Hands: Shāh Ṣafī Ṣafavī’s Ascent to Power, 1038–44/1629–34,” Journal of the American Society for Premodern Asia (previously known as Journal of the American Oriental Society) 146:2 (2026), pp. 339-64.

Appointments

Dominique J. Baker, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development’s School of Education and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, has been appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity by Hakeem Jeffries, minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. The federal advisory committee provides recommendations to the Department of Education on which organizations should accredit colleges and universities in the United States. Baker’s research focuses on the way that education policy affects and shapes the access and success of underrepresented students in higher education, including policies related to student financial aid, college admissions and other aspects of campus climate.

Honors

Professor Cecil Dybowski is honored at a special symposium in September marking his 80th birthday and his 50 years at UD.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry held a symposium honoring chemistry professor Cecil Dybowski on Sept. 26, 2026, celebrating his 50 years at the University of Delaware and his 80th birthday. Dybowski is renowned internationally for his work in spectroscopy, particularly nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, of solid and solid-like materials. The event, titled "The Power of NMR in the Study of Molecular Structure and Motion," recognized his contributions to the field, and examined the current developments in it. Dybowski, who has authored or coauthored hundreds of publications, received the Francis Alison Award, the highest award for UD faculty, in 2015. Despite his scientific achievements, he said he thought of himself as an educator first, describing his job “to educate students and make them think.” His impact can be seen in the generations of his students who are now working in universities, laboratories, companies, government agencies and organizations around the world, and as researchers at UD.

Four faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences received the Champions of Experiential Learning award from the College of Arts and Sciences Success Center at the college’s Internship Symposium on Sept. 30, 2026. The recipients were chosen for the impact of their advocacy, mentorship and commitment to experiential learning. Awardees include:

• Jennifer Naccarelli, professor and chair of the Department of Women and Gender Studies. She teaches the internship in women and gender studies course and runs a practicum with a goal of certifying students with a domestic violence prevention certification.

• Madeline Hagerman, associate professor and director of the undergraduate Art Conservation program. She has made experiential learning an integral part of the curriculum, creating a pathway from hands-on coursework with cultural heritage collections to independent research, internships, graduate education and professional employment.

• Dan McDevitt, associate professor of biology in the Associate in Arts Program. He has made experiential learning a central part of his teaching by creating authentic research experiences in his courses and connecting students with opportunities beyond the classroom.

• Karen Ciotti, instructor in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies. Ciotti has intentionally embedded career development topics and experiences into her curriculum for the last three years.

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