Welcome everyone and good evening. It is my pleasure to kick off the 2021 celebration of scholarship. I'm Jim Decker, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations. And thank you for joining us for such an important event this evening. I realized that like so many other events that have taken place over the past year, this year celebration of scholarship is quite different from those you may have attended in the past, where definitely not in the bob. And if you are in Bob, you need to leave immediately. You're in the wrong place. I wish we could be together on campus and we look forward to when that is possible again, so you can meet with student beneficiaries in person. What we can't do that this evening. Here's what we can do. We can ensure all of you have a meaningful experience as we honor and recognize all of you for your dedicated support and as we highlight how your gifts make a difference for students at Udi. So you'll see on the screen now the time of the event, so you know what to expect throughout the program, will be together in this main room for about 15 minutes. Then you'll hit the breakout rooms with UT leadership and students from your area of support for about half an hour. Then we'll reconvene back in this room together as we close out the event with a student speaker. But before we continue, we thought we would do a quick poll to learn more about each other and why you decided to be so generous to you do you will see the question, What inspired you to make a gift to support UT students come up on your screen. Please take a second to make your selection. Okay, So it looks like most of you have responded and the most popular answers are, and let me go in order here. Number one is providing an outstanding educational experience that was 37 percent feeling connected to Udi at 34 percent seeing how my gifts make a difference was 29 percent. Honoring my family and loved ones was a 23 percent. And the bottom to giving back because I once benefited from donor support was 18 percent. And in the ever popular other category, we had 7%. So that's excellent. Thank you all for participating in the poll and for continuing to make the remarkable happened at Udi. And I'm really thrilled to celebrate you and the difference each of you make for our blue hands. Your generosity has the power to transform lives, provide unique opportunities, and open a world of experiences for UT students. So we all know the past year has been challenging and unlike any we've seen before, in spite of this, your support, insured students were encouraged, supported, and continue to thrive. So tonight in the breakouts, you'll hear from students and leadership in the area you support getting firsthand stories about the difference you I'll make for our students, faculty, and staff every day. But at this time, it's my privilege to introduce President acinus and Alenia sinus. Dr. Sonesh joined UT in 2016, and during this time he is embodied in inspiring commitment to the success of our students. One of his highest priorities is enhancing the student experience. And he's dedicated to ensuring all blue hands have access to a quality education, unique experiences, and the necessary resources to make discoveries, impact the community and shape the future. Doctors, scientists as vision and leadership and has helped the university and the blue had family navigate an unprecedented year, ensuring they can succeed no matter the environment around them. It's my pleasure to introduce Dr. and Mrs. the size. Thank you, Jim. And good evening to all of you and thank you for joining us. La and I are honored to be here this evening to celebrate your generosity, an impact on our students. Your support has inspired, encouraged, and motivated greatness in our incredible students. The students you'll hear from this evening represent the talented scholars we have across oranges. They embody the blue head spirit of innovation and perseverance. Like all of us. They'd been navigating a challenging year with ever evolving situations. And they've done it with grace, flexibility, and resilience. As we continue to shift from the darkest, most unknown aspects of the pandemic. We're optimistic about the future of the university. With commencement been held for both the classes of 2020 and 2021 is here and the plan for students to return to campus in the fall. We're so thrilled to continue moving closer. The more traditional view, the experience and life as normal as possible shape. Many of the experiences. Specialized programs and resources available to blue hands are because of generous donors. Like so many of you in this room. Thank you for believing in our students. Even when the world was turned upside down. Advancing the university in ways not possible with your support. Making the dummies are so many blue hands possible. Your commitment towards you is astounding. And the results an amazing, in the last year alone, 60 new fonts maybe that do support students who'd be reestablished. Thank you all for being such good friends and really contributing the red meaningful way. And thank you to all our students here who embrace the incredible opportunities made possible by our donors, realizing educational dreams and pursuing excellence in all. We do. Look forward to their presentation. David spoke to you. Thank you. Thank you very much, Dennis and the lenny, we are truly surrounded by inspiring people and stories. And our next speaker, data Fontana, is a proud blue and alumna, a member review these board of trustees and the dedicated Downer. And she will share her own story of the relationships she has built with students who benefit from her generosity. So over to you. Well, welcome everyone. And thank you for thank you, Jim, for having me tonight to talk about why I created my scholarships at the university. So about ten years ago, I went to a screening of the movie Waiting for Superman. And afterwards, I felt a personal responsibility to help parents who are struggling to get their children a quality education and urban setting. It was a very powerful movie. So my first information was to grab my girlfriend who I went to business school with. And we began teaching in financial literacy and a middle school, public middle school in East Harlem, New York. And about the same time I was talking to roots from the development office. And she question me about what my passions were. And I started talking about my reaction to that movie. So why not support a student who focuses on Urban Education? She asked, students might be dissuaded from teaching in an urban setting. So the idea of a scholarship to provide encouragement made so much sense. After the first recipient was chosen, we became friends over coffee on purpose. When Allison moved to New York to teach math to eighth graders, our friendship blossomed. I shared my love of live theater with her and she invited me to participate in things like career day at her school. Our story was featured in a Udi video. And so we even got to share 15 minutes of fame. I have enjoyed meeting each and every student and learning what their interests and dreams were. Seed just might say, mission accomplished. But as I continued to volunteer at the middle school, I was really wondering how to improve the quality of education. So Heather N. Roots suggested that I support a graduate scholar whose research would enrich and improve teaching. Teaching methods, ultimately impacting even more students. So that sounded like a great idea. And the first recipient of that graduate scholarship has now moved on to be a professor at another tier 1 research institute where he continues his work on improving literacy. I had the opportunity to attend John's thesis defense, my first-ever. And as a trustee, I was fortunate to be on the stage with him and his advisor during his PhD hooting ceremony. The Fontana Fellows Program has since attracted to new scholars. To you. These esteemed the school of education focusing on math and diversity in education. So while I was really pleased that the scholarships appeared to be having an impact, I I still listen to what more could be done. And this time, Dana and TJ came to my office in New York and discussed with me the Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship Center trains Delaware public school teachers how to incorporate financial literacy in their curriculum. Dana explains that professor Hutchinson had founded the Center. And hearing that, I turned around and my office and I pulled this book from my book and read to them the inscription that professor Hutchinson had written to me after I took his introduction to econ class in my freshman year. This book has been with me for over 30 years through a drink companies and multiple office moves. This book and this center ended up being the connection to my all time favorite professor from my time that you day. I've had the opportunity to meet the current and the past directors of the center and bring it full circle as I like to do. They came to New York to teach a class on free trade to my students in East Harlem. Imagine how exciting that was for them. Teaching financial concepts improves the lives of students. So it was at that moment that I decided to fund the center. And that made much more sense. Then saving for a home renovation. Who wants to live there, a kitchen renovation anyway. And although this format does not give me the opportunity to see you, I am certain that many of you are nodding your heads an agreement. So my journey of supporting students at the university has had a tremendous impact on my life. While connecting to the students is what makes funding scholarships so rewarding. Even if you never meet your student. We all know that helping someone obtain their dreams can never be underestimated, especially when they are improving society at large. And to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, to know even one life has been made easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. So for those of you participating tonight, who have provided support to a student and their family. I thank you. And for those of you who have not yet had the opportunity, I invite you to join me, work with the university to put your passion into action. I have found the university An excellent steward of my funds and they can do the same with yours. You will not regret it. Just ask my aunt and uncle in the health sciences break. Yeah. Thank you for joining tonight. It's been a pleasure to share my story with you. And now I'll turn the program back to Jim and I'll see some of you in a breakout. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story with all this tonight. You are truly a wonderful example of how incredible supporters like you and others with us this evening can really change lives and make a big difference. So thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, we really appreciate it. It's time for the breakout sessions, so we'll send you into breakout sessions with students and leadership from the areas which you support. So next the box is going to appear on your screen. It'll let you to a breakout room. So you hit Join and you'll be sent to the Assign room. But it may take a minute because there are several rooms. So if you don't get it immediately, just stay patient, sit tight. Don't leave. You will get it and it will it'll happen. It may just take a minute herself. So we'll see you back here in about a half an hour and we'll hear final words from one of our UD student, alumni ambassadors, brand and bell. So enjoy your joy, your breakout time. Hey Jordan, I don't want tonight are in great. John. How are you doing? Great, Great to be with you. To add their own John. Hello, hey Jordan. It's good to see you all. I think we've got about one more person that we're waiting on, so we'll just give it one more second and then we'll get started. Donate money to come back from Florida. Whenever my way that is bringing me back on Friday, see our grandchildren. I hope I love my grandchildren, but I also like being down here. It's worth crazy. I wanted to come see the new Whitney center of my explicity. Okay. I'll get your outlines. I've got a torr, but about four weeks ago maybe. Who is chlorate? Unbelievable. It at least the pain of leaving Florida when you see the Whitney said anxious to see it. Yeah. I mean, you might well, I want you to do on TV this past Saturday night. And that was a very good evening. Yeah. That was a boggy and that's for sure. You're going to get started. I think Edgar is the only other one inside here and we get Edgar up to speed quickly when he joins if if he makes it over. But again, thanks. Thanks for you all for being here and. I think it would be great to start off with the students, so salty each of you up to tell us who we are, what sport to play, your major, where you're from? And Gabi, why don't you kick us off? Okay. Hi guys. I'm Gabi. I'm a senior on the women's soccer team. I'm an English major and I'm from Richmond, Virginia. Thanks, Gabby and tear on the TI I'm a freshman on the women's basketball team. I'm a medical diagnostics major theme. I change it to biological sciences, but same thing. And I'm from Washington DC. Thanks Tara. And done. Deal. I'm a senior on the men's basketball team, behavior science major, and I'm from Hershey, Pennsylvania. Thanks. And and I think John, why don't you introduce yourself too, and then we'll have throughout John introduce themselves also. Okay, if you don't have to tell us your age now, you're good. You know what year you are on John Cochrane? I I'm on the Board of Trustees. Actually, I chair the board this time. I had a very distinguished honor and I think the program is great. I'm not a graduate of the University, but I've been affiliated with you the 0 for the past 40 years and working very closely with the with literally thousands of students that work for the bank I was affiliated with or for many, many years. So we have the report of UBI. Absolutely. Thanks John and John and throughout. I graduated in 73. You do the math and a past president of the Alumni Association. I'm now involved with the Dean's Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences. I spend more time probably on campus than I do at my own home, which is why I'm in total just total withdrawal these days. And we are double down. I've got hotels. She's a little older, but we'll talk about that real knife. I should say I'm younger, right? Either one you're in trouble. When we have scholarship and Jordan has been very instrumental in helping us find the right sport and write scholar, and we appreciate it. We've, we've had a good time. Thank you, Jordan. First Boyer, your recipient guy, had a pretty impressive goal. The other data who went to see a title. So yes, ideas to see that. It's going to be tough to top that. I was quite an introduction to her. Yeah. Lane, I don't know if you can hear us or not the moment. Are you there and able to say Hello? Yes. Yeah. Let's say let me put the video on. I've been doing this for a year. Unless you there's thought. So I've been doing it for a year, you'd think we'd better at it, but we are Scotty is a 7980 graduate of your D. I'm not. But we pardon, endowed scholarships at other universities that I've been involved in. And I felt very strongly that Scott spin, a big part of University of Delaware, is in Athletic Hall of Fame. And I felt that to honor him and his legs safe. We should do something for students. We've been really blessed. We also have one student, one of our kids is an alum of Delaware. And we just felt very strongly that to the extent we're able to help others, we should. So we did, we could, we, we thought we should. The fact that we can make Sasaki. And so we did. We appreciate that, were very grateful. Thank you and great to see you both. And Scott, hope you're excited to see our great quarterback play this year. Or your footsteps with at all. Yeah, Fabulous. A couple of ways I got the opportunity to go down to the villanova game. So that was very excited. It's you. I did. I saw you running around on the side like the crazy person that you were celebrating the launch. I didn't want to get too close. Or Jordan asked to stand next to me and I shake him when things get really exciting. But also, to be honest, yeah, I've got I've got the bruises to prove it on my own. Well, it's great to see you all and no, everyone here knows Christie's, so instead of maybe introduce yourself, Chrissy, can you talk a little bit about what the support of everyone here means to the dollar athletics and to you as the leader of this of this department? Yeah. I mean, it's incredibly instrumental and for many, many reasons. I mean, the obvious one is the financial support which we need in order to continue to grow and be competitive at the level in which we want to be in are expected to be at a place like Delaware. Think the other thing and then if I appreciate our students being on here, is that also helps teach our students that there are others that are involved and their experiences that have committed, financially, committed their time. You know, their talents. And so the, the opportunity for us to educate our students and student athletes, obviously, student athletes in this particular situation, but students that their experiences are supported by other people that care deeply about the university that they're a part of is, is something that I think it's really important. And, and so, you know, it means a lot to us on many levels. And as Jordan has said, and I know I've seen many of you and met many of you very grateful for your support. We couldn't do what we do without you, and that is certainly the case. Absolutely. And so, so we're going to let the students kinda share that impact and talk about that for a couple of minutes to so Gabby, let's start with you. I would love to hear you had been through a lot in your time here and recovered from some injuries. And so can you talk about how not only you've kind of persevered through that, but also how maybe that wouldn't Athletic Center and the new health and well-being portion of that sports performance is going to make an impact for future students? Yeah, absolutely. Knew I had like joints. I've been in and out of sports night pretty consistently since my freshman year here. So I am very blessed by the facts that we have doctors on call five days a week. It's pretty amazing to be able to instantly message them with a problem. And I tore my ACL my freshman year. I knew within 24 hours I had x-rays, MRIs and had an answer and was able to schedule surgery really, really quickly. And that's because of the access we have to our doctors and those facilities. And the new Whitney has an amazing doctor's office. It's so much bigger than what was in the bob. And it's just a really comfortable place to be with people that really care about you. So that's super nice. And then all of the news, sports performance stuff is great. Like all the nutrition stop with Kara and Kelly, Sorry, Kelly Rossi. They are great and they are just always there to support you no matter what your situation is. So I definitely had been very much impacted by our sports med and sports nutrition during my time here. And what did feel like the score of the game winner against Drexel the other day. How is great? And it's great. It's like no, not even happen. So I was going crazy then see with Jordan, right? She was well, thanks, Gabby, appreciate that. Guitar. A women's basketball, had an incredible year this year. And not only on the court, but the amazing work that you guys did off the court with social justice. So I'd love to hear, and I think everyone here, what about both your your team's performance on the court this year and how special that was. But then the really terrific work you guys get off the court to yeah. For sure. So I actually like my freshman year. Well, this year I was I was injured so I couldn't play this year, but being able to see my team do well. I mean, they were ready regular season champions, BCA to have that feeling of getting that trophy. I just remember after the game and Chrissy was going crazy then two, just so many emotions and being a freshman and coming into that environment where that, that's the tone that set from the jump is amazing. And I mean, we do it as a family as well. So I'm so grateful that I was able to come in at that time where my team was doing these great things and even though I wasn't able to play this, you then knowing that our team will be the same team, this upcoming season next year is even better news. And then other social justice. I mean, we've been supported by everybody at the university from the beginning. I mean, even from the summer when I wasn't even on campus yet, I remember we were just having a really important conversations and just feeling that support that I know. Not everybody, all of my student athlete brands at different schools have gotten from their coaches or athletic director. Most importantly, that's just goes above and beyond. And so having that support has encouraged us as a team. I think. So. Just take that stand even more so than we might have felt comfortable with before. Yeah. Star in Christianity. You want to add to that? Yeah, I do. Thank you. First of all, I want to give Tara tonight credit. Again. She she injured herself. Did you come in injured or you injured yourself with it? I don't know. Yeah. But she has been an unbelievable coach on the sidelines too, and that was one of the things that she and I talked a lot about. When when she knew she was going to be up from the season is how do you make the most of this experience, right? How do you learn and how do you allow yourself to accelerate when you are able to get back on the court and how do you support your your teammates? And she did a phenomenal job this year and then hopefully seek out and you found that beneficial. I think the other thing I would say she was one of two student athletes that went to the black. Summit. It was virtual, but it was in Texas. And her and her here, Taylor fields, who is a cross student athlete, did an incredible job of representing Delaware there. But even more importantly, coming back with feedback for us. And it's absolutely something that we are committed to cross the, the department integrating it into the university. And again, just very, very proud of the work that obviously I women's basketball team did and lead Tara in particular as well with Taylor and I, I'm thankful that she's just a freshman because that means she's with us for four more years. As a leader, as a student athlete as well. So we'll pick it up being around for extra years, Dylan, we got you for another year, which is pretty exciting for for all of us in a couple of things I wanted to ask you about to share. One is, I remember when the pandemic started, you were doing workouts in your garage and now you get to use the flag of the strength and conditioning center. So what's it like to upgrade from doing pull-ups in your garage to the new facility? It's actually crazy like I'm going to school to become like a strength conditioning coach has kind of been like my real goal basketball years. And like the first day ever walked in new Placko facility was like in a kid in a candy store. I like literally the most amazing place I've ever worked out. And my team, we actually just started our workouts and they're like last week, but I've been interning with the football team and they're lifting over the winter and this past spring. So it's been cool to like be around there and be all night the coaches side of things, rather than being like one of the players are actually working out. And it's just been amazing. Like just the upgrade from the field house and the Bob like to the flak on now it's it's been incredible. And can you talk a little bit about your your came in here. You've had a year and a half of this now, what's it like to to come back next year with the full group of guys all returning and and and the excitement that you guys have looking forward to what the next year has to bring. Yeah, it's really exciting to be able to come back to us. Like I looked at this day. And there's going to be my sixth year of college. And I've yet to play in a full season because I first year, I play the whole year that I read shaded and transferred. So I had a red shirt again. And then obviously the pandemic last year, we only had like 15 games. So I'm really excited. I see it like a full season under my belt with my teammates and I'm thankful or base coming back because everybody Olivia League is going in different directions, but we have our whole team back, so I'm really confident for the season. Yeah, that's great. And, you know, one of the things that he knows everyone's talking about the woody Athletic Center. I think. Chrissy, if you want to touch on what the difference that has been across the board for all of our program two, and highlight some of those areas. I think it would be great for everyone to hear about that from you. Yeah. I mean, it's been incredible and and and I I have walked around and just randomly talk to the student athletes, most of them that I am, some don't Nice. I have to introduce myself. And I asked them how much time because John and derail and I mean, I think you all remember when we were talking about the idea of efficiencies, right? And an effectiveness and an integration with such a significant part of why it was important for us to do it. And I think how we how we intentionally designed it. And I know draw you in John know what I'm talking about because Jordan talked about it with you and John. You'll you'll see that when you when you come, but how it's all connected and how it's all integrated in the way in which it's been designed. And then the ability to have the Whitney kitchen now where there's meals and it can be lunch and dinner. I had a couple say two hours of their day they are saving now because they don't have to go up to eat and come back down and go up to eat, come back down. And when we fully activate it, when we actually can keep people there to study. And we don't have to be so socially distanced. We can really maximize it. I mean, if it's going to be unbelievable from, from a time savings perspective. And the other thing that's been really neat is just the idea of community. We've never had a space here where all of our student athletes can be together in some way, shape, or form, and really get to know each other and see each other. And I'm hopeful I hear a lot that, that when I first came in, that was one of the things that our student athletes really talked about and we would create programming to try and do that. But I think we all know physical space also though is an incredible catalysts to that as well. And so we're really excited about, you know, what it's gonna do for us in the fall. And I couldn't be more excited about that and we're grateful. Now the other thing I was going to comment on and P back a little bit off of what Dylan has shared. And it's something that I'm incredibly proud of. And I think it comes back to the leadership of the institution to it's just the continuity that we've been able to have within our coaching programs. I mean, if you know that We had a lot a lot of changes when I first came in and it was really about making sure that we had people that were able to teach and develop these young humans in all aspects of their lives. And, and I've always believe that your assistant coach is equally as important as your head coach. I was an assistant. I'm not saying that because I was an assistant, but I understand the relationships and how important they all are and and the ability for them to be able to teach and develop and learn. And that continuity and mean we've had the same coaches on women's basketball, we had the same coaches and men's basketball we've had the same coaches for women's soccer. I mean, you look across the board many of our programs and have, have been able to have that continuity. And particularly in the sports of women's and men's basketball, I'll say it's very rare, very, very rare. And so I'm excited for our student athletes to be able to have that in so much that it's based on the culture we've created and the support we're providing to our coaches to be able to do it they love in support of their student athletes as well. So I would say that's also a component of the Whitney that maybe we don't talk a lot about. But it really is allowing our coaches to be the best they can be in their craft through the support of their student athletes with the things that are coming out of that facility. So It's a living laboratory in many ways. That's what I call it. It's not just the bricks and mortar, it's what, like Dylan said, I mean, the things that he has the ability to access and learn and the world of strength and conditioning. Dylan and I'm sure you're seeing this, how that is evolving through the use of technology and science. And how do you then integrate it with what's happening with the athletic trainers? In its light. It's pretty cool. You know, so good for you. Yeah, it's exciting and thanks for sharing. I'll accuracy. I think, you know, we always talk about what year our students are in school, but no good way to look at this too is, you know, Chris, he's entering her super senior year right now too. And that's one of the ways is we look at this. A lot of these teams and programs are just really taken it to that next level right now. And that's what we'd always envisioned was in those years, 45 are a lot of those programs is when you can really start to see the trajectory change in such a positive way. So couldn't be more proud of these student athletes, but all of them across the board and how they've handled that. Gabby, could you talk about so we talked a lot about stuff on the field and how that is all coming together. But you're involved in a lot of things outside of athletics to on campus. Talk about your student experience overall, what you've been able to get involved with? Yeah. I'm pretty involved in this RSO called athletes under varsity, which is a subset of the Christian Fellowship and our varsity, but specifically for student athletes. So since my freshman year I've been able to help kind of that RSO grow and reach more and more teams. Our campus, which has been really awesome. It's been one of the most life-giving things aside from sports here at Delaware. And they've really been able to participate in and kind of like what Chrissy said, it's really hard until the Whitney to meet student athletes. Our beer separated and above and the field house a little bit. It's like I don't I didn't really have that much interaction with basketball and softball and the other teams that were in the Bob. So this RSO has really given me the chance to be able to meet student athletes and have like friendships in a different context and be able to relate to them in different ways other than just being an athlete. So that's definitely been really a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing that, Gabby. So Tara, you mentioned you were in medical diagnostics but you might change you. Another major. Sound like they're well over my head. But could you share a little bit about what you're studying and what you hope to focus on. Yeah. So I I love science. So obviously, so my goal ultimately is to go to medical school. If I don't play probe right out of college, my dream is to be a surgeon. So I would, I loved just learning about really the human body and all of that. My, I'm always like people want to ask me about my major. I love to know why things happen. So I loved it my classes. I'm learning about why things happen, whether it be in the human body or the environment, or all of the overarching science themes. So that's kinda why I got into it. And so, yeah, yeah, I really love medicine and I love the idea of helping people as well with that, with that gift of science. So terrific. Thanks for sharing that. And because you come back to you for a second and we were talking about majors in an academic side of things. Can you share a bit about the blue program and also how we're just hoping our student athletes to be ready for life after college and how we're really making that a priority across the board for us. And I think those of you who have heard me talk since day one, five-years ago. Thank you, Jordan. I think it's crazy how quickly it all goes. We talked about the idea of exceptional student athlete experiences and winning, not being mutually exclusive. Berg for a place like Delaware, both are possible. Both should be the expectations. And so one of the things that was clear was the idea they were getting a great education. We're working on the athletic component, but what about a life skills? What are the things that we need to be sure we're doing to really prepare them as they walk across that stage. And they, you know, they go into the quote, real world, if you will, that there they feel prepared and maybe they haven't had that exact scenario, but they at least have a toolbox that they can go into and say, okay, I know how to manage conflict, I know how to manage crisis, I know how to negotiate. I know how to manage my finances. I know how to be a part of a team. So we created a blue program, building leaders utilizing education, which is the required program for all of our student athletes. It is over the four years and it has different elements over the four years that they focus on. And part of this is based on their own needs, but also part of it is based on kind of the development of their world over a four-year period of time, if you will. So really very conscious. We were partnered, we've been partnering with student life and actually many faculty on campus. Because one of the things that I wanted to be sure of is there was a lot of substance in it and that it was something that was sustainable. And that we had the ability to assess it so that it was in fact making the impact. We wanted to be sure if it was making in the ways that we hoped it would. So we're finishing up your four. It's gotten better every year, I believe anyway. And part of the reasons it's gotten better, it's because of the student athlete feedback. We live in student athlete feedback here. I hope Gabby is probably the one that's been here the longest and I believe hope anyway that she feels that way is that anytime that we've asked for their feedback, we've done something with it. Or if we can't, we say cat and here's why we can't so that their feedback has been really instrumental in building blue and it's only going to get better. So really proud of it, an impact this year we won an award for a, which is association from across the country recognizes and we were the the the one the whole thing. Correct. Jordan. Yeah. Did brand ways, um, as a student athlete model on campus at an all university itself. Pretty cool. Very proud, definitely. Well done here when we're present view and then I'm gonna open up to see if anyone has any questions for anyone. What's it like having one of your teammates playing in the NBA from Charlotte Hornets right now. That's kinda cool. Of course, like everyone come back because like obviously is a big part of our team. He's our body and everything, but it's really good to see like his hard work paying off and it feels good to like now that we each had like a small part in helping and get there and always share some memories that we had with them on the court. No doubt, watching him try to box out someone who was 76 the other night against the Celtics. If you guys are looking for something to Google, you can Google and they'd darling boxing out taco fall and and get a good laugh out of it. He did his job. He didn't let him get the rebound on it and fell over in the process. But it was it was fun to watch him do that and hit a three again, two parts step because he's great. Well, let me pause there for a second. I don't know if anyone has any questions for anyone here and want to make sure we open it up before we wrap up here in five minutes or so. Hey, Jordan, I don't have any specific questions, but not hearing the stories of thing. I'm sure I speak for everybody here. We are very excited to hear the stories and your experiences and thanks for being with us tonight. And just hearing these experiences and the reward that you're having just, you know, compels me to be more involved and to reach out and to be able to get back to some of these young people so that these experiences can see. So all the best each of you should go for it. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks John. And you could not be more supportive of this place and of athletics here. So we can't thank you enough for all that. And I think a bath of everyone here. I mean, our our board of trustees and John, with your leadership for it, has has really helped take us to a new level. So we're really grateful and appreciative. Am always take more help, but but thank you again, I'm glad to be a barn. I just couldn't believe the one statement, but there's anybody, particularly a student athlete that does no Crissy, Great. They just get shy or under as I think it is. Yeah. That's great. That's really great. Well, Chris, you want to while we do have a couple more minutes, we had a really great year for all of our teams. Maybe just highlighting a couple of other things and maybe even just this last weekend and what took place and how special was. No one else has any questions. I got five seconds. Well, I think you've covered everything. Rubbing. By the way, this is not Courtney Stein. I didn't. They thought that's my daughter. And but I wanted to congratulate everyone who's talk so far. They're very, very clear and it's a wonderful thing. And I really enjoy being part up because I, I was in that stadium and 950 to watching the football, couldn't see over the hedge. But that's okay. Things have changed and the stadium is fabulous. The Whitney centers, incredible. I've had a personal tour of it. It's I can't say enough about what's happened in the last few years. And I just, I'm very proud of the University of LDL. So welcome back everyone. I hope you enjoyed the discussions in your sessions and had an opportunity to hear more about the impact you're making AUD. So as we close out the event tonight, I want to thank you for joining us this evening. And I also want to thank you for investing and our students. It's an investment with truly unlimited upside potential. So thank you very, very much. And with that, I'd like to introduce Brandon Bao, the UD Student Alumni Ambassador, who will share a brief message of gratitude on behalf of all blue hands. So Brandon, Good evening. President bigger mentioned money and bring it down. Did it being a scholarship recipient? I also serve as the Vice President of UT student alumni ambassadors. Thanks to this organization, I have the pleasure and privilege of interacting with alumni and donors like yourselves more frequently than many of my fellow students. As an organization, we work to facilitate exchanges between alumni, donors and current students and seek to educate our students about the impact that philanthropy has on our experience here at UT. I've only come to appreciate the work of alumni and donors more and more throughout my time at UT has been my pleasure of serving as Vice President of this distinguished organization. And I look forward to becoming an active member of the UT alumni community. I can speak personally to the difference the scholarship that I received funded by alumni donors made in my academic experience as a recipient of the John and free to Iraq journal award, my academic work was not only monetarily supported, but also published, polished my piece with IUD faculty as a freshman, being able to say, I've had my work published is pretty cool. And more importantly, empowering. I want to emphasize the idea of empowerment, something we all need and appreciate now more than ever before, given these challenging times, fortunately, you're generous gifts not only help us to get by, but also help us to where we need to aim to be. The realization of our dreams and of our university. Success is made possible by all of you. Understanding the strength of the community, both in terms of numbers at, in pure conviction inspires us as students and it makes us all proud to be Flu. Hence, while we may have different reasons for why we believe in Udi and I enjoyed hearing your recent perceive me. We are all united by this shared belief. Your iteration of UD, maybe because of our world-class education, our champion sports teams or the camaraderie shared amongst peers. Yet, we all realize our collective strength lies in our support for one another. Once again, thank you all for your continued commitment to the University of Delaware and allowing us the opportunity to continue your legacy and to build on your dreams through the endeavors we undertake. Thanks in no small part to your generous support and your faith and our blue hand journey. Thank you. Stay well and good night.

2021 Celebration of Scholarship | Athletics

From Jacqueline Piha June 02, 2021

0 plays 0 comments You unliked the media.

Celebration of Scholarship is an annual event hosted by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) that celebrates the impact of philanthropy at the University of Delaware and honors dedicated UD supporters and the talented students who benefit from their support.

Department Name: Office of Development and Alumni Relations
Date Established: April 28, 2021
Appears In: 2021 Celebration of Scholarship

Comments

Add a comment