Gov. Markell takes oath of
office at University of Delaware

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and Lt. Gov. Matt Denn, whose fathers were professors on this campus, were sworn into office shortly after midnight, Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the University of Delaware’s Mitchell Hall.

Markell is the state’s 73rd governor and the son of William Markell, who is Arthur Andersen Alumni Professor Emeritus of Accounting at the University. The new governor grew up in Newark and attended Newark High School. His wife, Carla, is a UD alumna.

Denn is the son of Morton M. Denn, who taught in the University's Department of Chemical Engineering from 1965-81, and his wife, Michelle, is a UD alumna.

University of Delaware President Patrick Harker served as host of the event, which was held in the early morning hours to enable interested Delawareans to travel to Washington, D.C., for presidential inaugural festivities.

Delaware Supreme Court Justice Jack B. Jacobs administered the oath of office to Markell at about 12:20 a.m., with the new governor surrounded by his wife and his children, Molly and Michael.

“There is something very special about taking the oath of office at this particular hour, in this particular place, in front of this community of friends,” Markell said.

“We have come together in a place that is very meaningful to me personally,” he said, noting that he spent much time “tagging along” with his father on the University of Delaware’s “beautiful campus.”

Markell said his parents taught him that in America, if you work hard, “you can achieve anything.”

Jan. 20 is particularly special, Markell said, as Barack Obama will be inaugurated as president “to the cheers of an expectant world.”

Markell added that the day is special, as well, because Joseph R. Biden Jr., a University of Delaware alumnus and for many years the state’s senior U.S. senator, will take office as vice president. He predicted Biden would come to be “celebrated far beyond Delaware.”

The hallmark of the new Obama administration is public service, and Markell said that is particularly important in the challenging times ahead.

“Each of us has a responsibility to our neighbors and to the world,” he said, adding, “No doubt we will all rise to this call to service.”

Despite the severe economic challenges that await, Markell said, “My outlook is undimmed.”

Denn, with his wife at his side, was sworn in to office at about 12:10 a.m. by Superior Court Judge Peggy L. Ableman.

His remarks focused on the needs of the children of Delaware, noting that many young people are in trouble and with a deep desire to be “loved and nurtured.”

Denn said he would like to see Delaware become a place in which every child “can live out their dreams.”

In his remarks, Harker noted that the state constitution calls for the governor and lieutenant governor to take office on the third Tuesday in January. This year, as was the case in 1953 and 1981, the date coincides with that of the presidential inauguration. Midnight ceremonies also were held in those years.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Markell and Denn will hold the traditional inaugural festivities in front of Legislative Hall in Dover beginning at 11 a.m. There will be a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony, and Markell and Denn will give their inaugural addresses. After the inauguration ceremony, Markell and Denn will greet visitors at the Governor's Office in Legislative Hall.

For a podcast of the inauguration, click here.

Article by Neil Thomas

Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Mike Baker