BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
UD supporters are providing the necessary foundation for UD's people and programs to build the future with impactful discoveries, unparalleled leadership and cultivated talent.
• Impactful Environmental Discoveries
• Black Alumni Organization: Making Connections and Supporting Blue Hens
• Supporting Teachers for Tomorrow
• Worrilow Hall Renovations
Research from the depths of the oceans can shed light on many critical environmental challenges. Few people know this in greater, real-time detail than Matt Oliver, Patricia and Charles Robertson Distinguished Professor of Marine Science and Policy.
A recent gift from Patricia and Charles Robertson, longtime UD donors with a passion for science and the coastlines, is ensuring Oliver’s breakthrough research with high-tech, deep-diving tools continues.
The support enables him and his students to plumb the depths of the sea with a fleet of high-tech tools, including a 146-foot research ship, robotic “gliders” that swim with sharks and probes that descend to 2,000 meters in Antarctic waters to transmit data.
Oliver credits the Robertson’s generosity with enabling his research that results in discoveries that could help safeguard the oceans—and the planet itself. Stable funding allows cutting-edge research to continue and to build, opening new windows of exploration.
“If we were chasing grants year after year,” he explains, “we’d never be able to do this long-term, ongoing research. You’re not just funding specific projects. You’re investing in careers—in the scientists of tomorrow—and in future discoveries.”
In 2021, UD’s Black Alumni Association is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Black Alumni Organization (BAO)—that’s 40 years of connecting with and lifting up members of the Black alumni community!
To commemorate the anniversary, 145 alumni and friends have contributed more than $34,000 to the BAO Scholarship endowment this past year, turning their comradery into impact for current and future Blue Hens.
The continued and increased support will ensure even more Black UD students with outstanding academic achievement, financial need and involvement in extracurricular activities can pursue a UD degree.
“I am so thankful for the support I have received from the scholarship donors over the last two years. I can work at my part-time job and continue my studies as a full-time student without the added pressure of worrying about paying my tuition. My overall dream is to open a birthing center focused on giving minorities and African American women a safe space to deliver their children.”
– Taylor Oden-Randolph, HS22
Teachers of Tomorrow pipeline program at UD: youtube.com/watch?v=Wy9CQjsMizY
As a retired teacher and member of UD’s College of Education and Human Development Dean’s Advisory Council, Terri Smith, EHD83, knows the importance of recruiting and properly training the next generation of teachers. So, it was an easy decision for her and her husband, Bob, BE84, to make a gift to support CEHD’s Teachers of Tomorrow program, which helps identify promising teachers even before the college application process begins.
“This is such a wonderful program that helps our young, underrepresented students have a glimpse of a promising future,” Terri Smith said. “We are happy to support and pave the way for this opportunity.”
Teachers of Tomorrow recruits rising high school juniors and seniors from under-represented backgrounds and provides resources, coaching and other opportunities to help them complete the college application process and succeed throughout their degree program. Philanthropic support ensures the program can remain free and accessible to all interested, eligible students.
| VOICES OF PHILANTHROPY: ENHANCED RESEARCH
“Teachers of Tomorrow is an important program that hopefully will diversify our teacher candidates here at the University of Delaware, which will ultimately diversify our classrooms. The program gives access to students who may not have already had access to these types of programs and introduces them to college life and lets them see themselves here on campus.”
—Kristine Ritz, Program Director for Teachers of Tomorrow
In early 2021, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ newly renovated Worrilow Hall reopened, featuring more efficient and flexible space to conduct cutting-edge research and support hundreds of students and faculty.
The new layout includes:
a central equipment room
specialized application rooms
adjoining open labs for collaboration among research groups
core facilities dedicated to soil, water and plant analyses
The epicenter of innovative teaching and flexible lab space inspires students, faculty and staff to challenge norms, push barriers and conduct research that provides solutions to some of the most pervasive challenges in agricultural and natural resource sciences.
