Gary and Carol Mertes-Smith didn’t know it at the time, but if it weren’t for their fathers, they may never have built their life together.  

Gary’s father Raymond was a professor (and later a department Chair) in UD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), so Gary practically grew up on campus. As a high school student at Newark High, he got a first-hand look at UD’s student life even before he submitted an application: “ATO (Alpha Tau Omega fraternity) had a block party every fall in the woods off West Park Place. They brought in a big beer truck with 10-12 taps and always had a band. I was still in high school, but when you grew up in Newark near campus, you experienced fraternity parties a little early.”  

When it came time to select a college, there was never a question that Gary would become a Blue Hen. “My dad just said, ‘You’re going to Delaware,’ and that was it.” He wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Carol’s decision to attend UD was similarly influenced by her father. “I went to the same high school as my dad, PS DuPont, and he also graduated from the University ’44 BSCHE/MCHE and an MBA. It’s a great school that served him well, so it made sense for me to go there too.”  

Like Gary, Carol had spent time on campus before becoming a student. “One of my earliest experiences with the campus was going with my dad when he registered for his grad classes in the Carpenter Center. He was also a big movie buff, and sometimes we’d drive into Newark for [campus] movie nights.”

As students, both Carol and Gary lived in the Harrington complex, albeit at separate times. Gary recalled, “freshman and sophomore year I lived at home, so yes, I commuted to class. By putting one foot in front of the other.” 

Carol lived in Harrington D next to the student center her freshman and sophomore years. She remembers that at Halloween, her friends in the dorms would trick-or-treat in the neighborhood near the dorm. “The residents in Newark weren’t surprised to see the college kids knocking on their doors. It was fun to step back and do something that you did when you were growing up.”

Carol also fondly remembers football games, dorm parties at the creek, and bands performing in the old church basement, which is now Daugherty Hall. “Before we left campus for the holidays, the dining halls would host special holiday dinners.” 

Gary jokingly recalled that the dining hall food was interesting. “There was ‘mystery meat’ every night – you really didn’t want to know what it was.”

When asked about who most impacted their academic experiences, they each named faculty in the economics department. Gary recalled Dr. Harry Hutchinson, who taught macroeconomics and an introductory banking class. Carol still remembers the foresight of one of her economics professors, Dr. Michaels. “He told us - back then - we probably would never see social security because of the way the program was being handled even back then. That left an impression. He gave thoughtful insights, things that people disregarded at the time, but he was right on.”  

Carol and Gary also spoke highly of Dr. Art Sloane, professor emeritus of industrial relations and author of Hoffa, the definitive book on Jimmy Hoffa’s rise to power in the labor movement.  “His stories about Hoffa when he traveled around with him collecting research for his book were fascinating,” Carol remarked.

Gary earned his master's degree in applied economics from Rutgers University, which marked the beginning of a distinguished career in economic development. He joined the Delaware Development Office—later known as the Delaware Economic Development Office—where he embarked on a journey that would span his entire career. The Economic Development Office, known for hiring "the best of the best," functioned much like a think tank for the state. It attracted some of the most talented professionals in the field, making it a dynamic and innovative place to work.  

After her graduation, Carol entered a tight job market. Fortunately, her time at the University of Delaware provided her with a valuable fallback. As part of her studies, she completed courses in life-saving and water safety instruction, and she’d worked as a swimming instructor and lifeguard at the Newark YWCA. When she completed her degree, Carol was hired by the Dover YMCA, where she worked as the after-school swim coordinator and lifeguard until she later secured a position as the bookstore manager and part-time business instructor on Del Tech’s Terry Campus in Dover. As she worked toward her MBA at Wilmington University, the Del Tech job would form the foundation of her career. She remained there until her retirement. 

Under Carol’s management, the bookstore transformed significantly. It started as a small operation with annual sales of $40,000, and under Carol’s management it surpassed $1 million. She was also deeply involved in regional and national bookstore associations, assuming leadership roles like president of the regional association, which allowed her to travel the country and build a wide professional network. 

Carol reconnected with the UD through the Parallel Program, which was housed at Del Tech in Dover. By working with the program coordinator to negotiate book orders, she reestablished her connection with the university. This reintegration into the UD community offered Carol additional perks, including tickets to football games, which rekindled her for cheering on the Blue and Gold, just as she had as a student. 

Although the two Blue Hens did not meet during their time as students, Carol’s brother, the late Fred Mertes '77/BE, brought them together in the 1980’s. Gary frequently interacted with Fred due to his role as a business analyst with UD’s Small Business Development Center. Gary recalled, “Fred knew I was a wind surfer, so he asked if I’d like to ‘go sailing.’ I agreed. Well, it turned out he actually needed a crew for a regatta.” 

Carol added, “I crewed for my brother on a regular basis for at least 20 years. Fred would recruit others to fill the additional crew position on the boat over the years, and one weekend he recruited Gary. We began dating soon after that.”

When asked why they give back to UD, Gary responded, “My mom, my brother Robert '81/EG and I made the decision that we were going to remember my dad by setting up a scholarship and an award in the College of Ag. We always thought it was important to give back, and the university gave so much to our family.  D put food on the table and a roof over our heads. It’s a way of remembering that.”  

Today, the Raymond C. Smith Memorial Scholarship continues to support already-enrolled UD students. “Scholarships for upperclassmen are hard to find, so they really appreciate this support and may not have made it without that,” Carol explained.

Through they continue to support the Smiths’ scholarship and other funds in CANR, the couple was introduced to different programs within the College and fell in love with the UD Botanic Gardens (UDBG), where they now fund a summer internship. Additionally, they have designated a bequest to create an additional scholarship and a support fund for UDBG. 

“The interns visit our gardens every summer, and it’s interesting to learn their backgrounds They’re not always plant science majors. Some are students in Ag and the rest are from other programs across campus or were involved with UDBG through their high schools. They’re great kids, and it’s fun to meet the ones who receive the scholarship; to hear the impact on their lives. We’re doing this to change someone’s life for the positive. We hope they make a great mark on the world and make it a better place.”

Gary feels similarly: “Obviously people have a lot of choices on how to do their estate plan, [but] UD provides a unique way of changing somebody’s life, someone who can make an incredibly positive impact on this planet. You’re not going to know who this is, but it’s somebody out there who, for a lot of reasons, may not be able to afford to attend. Hopefully, the recipients of our scholarship will do the same thing and give back to help someone else.”