University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
The Messenger
Vol. 5, No. 1/1995
Recognition: A Special Report
Phonathon Workers Bridge the Gap Between Students and Alumni

     In the basement of Hullihen Hall, on the southwest corner of
Delaware's scenic tree-lined Mall, Beth Finn, Delaware '98, may
chat with up to 70 alumni per hour on a good night.
     "I'm calling to thank you," she says when she reaches yet
another alumnus who helped support University programs during
F.Y. 1994-95. "Nearly 16,000 individuals helped make this a
record-breaking year for private support, with close to $23
million received. Your support makes a big difference in the
education we receive."
     The Burke, Va., native is one of a dozen students who took
part in a phonathon that generated $21,200 for the University
between June 6 and Aug. 17. Phonathon gifts are a crucial means
of support for scholarships, instruction, library resources,
athletic teams and a host of other programs, notes student
supervisor Karen Roushey, Delaware '96. Alumni may pick and
choose the programs they wish to support, Roushey says, since 100
percent of every gift goes where the donor wants it to go.
     This fall, Roushey and about 40 other students launched
another phonathon, using a computerized dialing system developed
by EIS International Inc. of Stamford, Conn. While callers like
Jim Tymon, Delaware '95, '97M, do ask for much-needed gifts, they
also provide alumni with campus news and information about
student life. "They might ask me how the football team is doing
or what's happening in Memorial Hall," Tymon says. "I try my best
to answer all their questions. I want to bridge the gap between
alumni and current students."
     Joseph W. Bradley, director of annual giving, can provide
more information on the phonathon. Call him at (302) 831-2104.

NAME:               Beth Finn, Delaware '98
HOMETOWN:           Burke, Va.
MAJOR:              "I'm currently a biochemistry major," she
                    says, "but I'm seriously thinking of changing 
                    to computer science."
HOBBIES:            Color Guard, hall treasurer, student
                    government, campus radio
FAVORITE CALL:      "I talked to this one woman who graduated in
                    the 1930s," Finn recalls. "I  had this wonderful 
                    conversation with her about her memories of the
                    University. I think she enjoyed hearing from 
                    somebody who is here now. I liked her so much 
                    that I wrote down her address, and I've been 
                    meaning to send her a letter."

NAME:               Karen Roushey, Delaware '96
HOMETOWN:           New Castle, Del.
MAJOR:              Political science/economics
HOBBIES:            Horseback riding, swimming, hanging out with
                    friends
CAREER PLANS:       "I'm not sure!" she says. "I definitely want
                    to go to
                    graduate school."
FAVORITE CALL:      One man was so excited to hear from Roushey
                    that he shouted to tell his children about 
                    the call.  "He wanted to know if I went to 
                    the Deer Park," Roushey says, with a laugh. 
                    "It was obvious he wanted to do
                    as much as he could to help students."

NAME:               Jim Tymon, Delaware '95, '97M
HOMETOWN:           Hamilton Square, N.J.
MAJOR:              Economics/political science (history minor)
CAREER PLANS:       "Actually, I figured if I went to graduate
                    school, I could postpone having to make any
                    decisions," he chuckles. "Seriously, I want 
                    to get into economic development and urban 
                    planning."
HOBBIES:            Track and field (served as track team captain)
FAVORITE CALL:      Tymon reached an alumna who is an environmental
                    activist. "She was a real thrill to talk to....
                    She started a grassroots community campaign to
                    clean up a river and she has completed research
                    on environmental problems," Tymon says."I thought,
                    'Wow! This is what you can do with your degree.'"