Honoring a lifetime of generosity
First President’s Award for Philanthropic Commitment presented
1:29 p.m., May 2, 2011--The University of Delaware is steeped in powerful traditions. The sound of the alma mater ringing across the Green; the festivities of Homecoming; the promise of another Commencement in Delaware Stadium. This year, a new and important tradition was conceived to acknowledge those whose leadership and personal commitment make higher education a reality for others. Presented at the annual Celebration of Scholarship dinner in April, the President’s Award for Philanthropic Commitment honors and recognizes donors whose spirit and overwhelming generosity have positively impacted UD and its undergraduate students through scholarship support.
The inaugural award was given posthumously to Muriel E. Gilman, a longtime supporter of the University who was renowned for her involvement, activism and philanthropy throughout the community. The University is home to three scholarships that Mrs. Gilman and her late husband, Marvin, established, and the award was given in recognition of their extraordinary dedication to UD’s students. Mrs. Gilman’s daughter, Martha Gilman, accepted the award on her mother’s behalf.
People Stories
'Resilience Engineering'
Reviresco June run
In presenting the award, UD President Patrick Harker noted the importance of Mrs. Gilman and the investment she made in the University.
“We are fortunate that the University of Delaware was a priority for Mrs. Gilman and her late husband, Marvin, a trustee and professor emeritus,” he said. “They embraced the mission of the University and truly understood the power and significance of higher education.”
One of the three scholarships established by the Gilmans is the Muriel E. Gilman Scholarship for Returning Students in Nursing, which supports a returning adult student who demonstrates academic excellence and shows promise of success in the profession.
Martha Gilman noted in her remarks, “The Nursing Scholarship was started at a time of an incredible nursing shortage -- and no financial help was available for returning students -- Mom wanted to change that. And at the same time, she wanted to begin to educate the Delaware public as to the many kinds of nursing education opportunities that could be had.”
Of the Marvin S. Gilman/National Housing Endowment Scholarship, which is presented to a student in the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) who shows exemplary commitment to housing research and dedication to strengthening housing policy in the U.S., Martha Gilman said, “My father had a strong commitment to enriching the entire community -– which he did, just as Mom did and just as so many students have gone on to do as well.”
Lastly, the Milton and Mary Edelstein Scholarship for Public and Community Service, which honors Muriel Gilman’s parents, and is awarded to a student in SPPA who demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of the community and demonstrates the values of public service. Martha Gilman described this scholarship as one that was particularly meaningful to her family.
She said, “It brought Mom a tremendous source of pride and she felt that my grandparents would have been pleased to see the young and dedicated recipients working to improve their world in so many ways.”
Mrs. Gilman was often seen as a source of inspiration because of her tireless efforts on behalf of others. As her daughter accepted the President’s Award for Philanthropic Commitment in her stead, that legendary generosity continued to inspire, reminding both donors and recipients of the impact that philanthropy can have on young lives.
Article by Julie Russ
Photo by Evan Krape