Presidents of UD, DSU, Delaware Tech mark second annual Higher Education Day

4:03 p.m., April 9, 2012--Continued collaboration was the theme for the second annual Higher Education Day in Dover. On Tuesday, April 3, University of Delaware President Patrick T. Harker was joined by Delaware State University President Harry L. Williams and Delaware Technical Community College President Orlando J. George, Jr., to celebrate the joint programs, partnerships and initiatives of their institutions and ensure continued collaboration in the future.

The presidents of the state's three publicly supported institutions of higher education showcased their alliance for academic as well as economic benefit in Delaware, highlighting joint academic programs, transfer partnerships among institutions and research initiatives, such as the Delaware Environmental Institute, Delaware Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the Idea Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

• Doctoral hooding
• Old Swedes
• Summer SAT, ACT prep
• 'Opus 13' pre-sale

Gov. Jack Markell joined the presidents and commended the institutions for their joint agreements ranging from faculty collaboration to articulation agreements for students to progress from Delaware Technical Community College with an associate degree on to Delaware State University or the University of Delaware to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

“In other states, schools fight for funds and students,” Harker said. “In Delaware, we are not fighting each other on this but, instead, working together to build partnerships, share resources and build each other up to ultimately benefit Delaware.”

The delegation along with Markell signed a proclamation—pledging their continued cooperation and partnership to support the state’s economy and academic achievement. The proclamation highlights the re-commitment of the institutions to work together and touts some of the combined strengths and accomplishments that have been possible through working together.

“The strengths of these institutions have been enhanced in recent years through the development of over 100 academic, research and community based partnerships that demonstrate a critical commitment to Delaware’s future, a recognition of the strength and resources that the public higher education institutions invest in our state when working together, and the desire for each institution to focus on its mission strengths while supporting each other’s priorities where needed," the proclamation reads.

Last April, the three presidents visited Legislative Hall for the first-ever Higher Education Day in Delaware.

Article by Meredith Chapman