University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
The Messenger
Vol. 5, No. 1/1995
Recognition: A Special Report
MBNA America: An Ongoing Commitment to Quality Education

     One afternoon this past summer, 17-year-old Michael Johnson
of Irvington, N.J., donned his best suit and tie and hopped on a
bus headed for MBNA America. The excursion was part of a five-
week summer "bridge" program designed to help incoming minority
and transfer students make the leap from high school to
university life.
     "I'll be attending the University this fall, and I'm using
this period to get ready for that transition," Johnson explained
then, as he straightened his tie.
"I'm going to MBNA to get a sense of what the corporate world is
all about."
     Summer bridge activities are one component of the FORTUNE
2000 program, which provides support services to minority
students.
     In addition to its support for the FORTUNE 2000 program and
its recent $2.5 million gift in support of a new B&E building,
MBNA America also supports a business professorship, hosts an on-
site University MBA program for its employees and provides an
MBNA America Scholarship to a Delaware resident every year.
   "The most recent gift from MBNA America is just another
example of its outstanding corporate citizenship," says Donald
Puglisi, MBNA America Business Professor of Finance. "It's
consistent with their commitment not only to the University, but
also to quality education in general."
   An estimated 1,900 University alumni and students currently
work for MBNA America, reports B&E Dean Kenneth R. Biederman. The
corporation employs more than 12,000 people, including 7,000 in
Delaware.