Messenger - Vol. 1, No. 2, Page 2 Winter 1992 Break out the shades . . . University's future looking bright Greetings and best wishes from the University of Delaware as we begin the new semester, following a Winter Session that set new enrollment records. I wrote many of you late last year, seeking your support for the University, and I told you that Delaware had had an exceptional year, marked by selection of a Rhodes Scholar, numerous faculty honors, a major art exhibition, building dedications and ground breakings, winning seasons and record levels of both giving and of research support. Current economic conditions still cause concern and require difficult management decisions, but I must tell you that the new year is shaping up to be an even better one than last year for the University of Delaware. Let me share just a few recent indicators of success with you: * Gifts to the University are up over this time last year. As of Jan. 31, gifts totaling $13.1 million had been received, an increase of nearly $3 million over the same period last year. The rise is due largely to strong corporate and foundation support for University capital campaigns. * The fall phonathon raised $122,000 in gifts and pledges for a record high total, and the spring phonathon will begin in the next few weeks. At the same time, corporate giving has increased by more than 25 percent for a total of $2.95 million, and gifts from foundations rose 18 percent to $5.94 million. The number of individual donors also increased, and several alumni have created special trusts that will be of major benefit to their alma mater. * Four University of Delaware research initiatives have attracted major support from the federal government--some $7.8 million over the next five years from the Department of Defense, under the University Research Initiative (URI) Program. Delaware joins an elite group of institutions nationwide to receive major grants under the program. Only five institutions received as many as three grants under the URI Program: the California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Stanford University and the University of Delaware. * The RISE (Resources to Insure Successful Engineers) Program at the University is one of 15 recipients nationwide of a 1991 GTE FOCUS grant of $30,000, which will be used to fund a new undergraduate research initiative for minority engineering students. The RISE Program at Delaware has been enormously successful, and this year's enrollment of 133 minority students constitutes approximately 14.5 percent of the college's undergraduate population. * "Dynamics of Human Anatomy," an interactive videodisc program developed at the University, recently won the Gold Medal in the New York Film Festival's international competition for non-broadcast film and video. The program is designed to teach allied health students functional and structural anatomy using dissection of cadavers and extensive computer interaction. * Beginning this spring, the University will sponsor a series of public forums aimed at giving campus community members a close look at the ideas surrounding controversial and contemporary issues in America. Known as Delaware Dialogues, the ongoing series will feature scholars with opposing viewpoints, to be followed by a panel of University experts serving as respondents. * The men's basketball team has been setting records with its recent 10th straight win over North Atlantic Conference foe Drexel University. With the win, the Blue Hens set or tied five school records for success. This gives you a sampling of what's been happening in recent weeks, and you'll read in more detail on these and other success stories in the next issue of The Messenger. Your support of our University is a critical part of any success story on the campus. I hope you will join the many friends and alumni who make gifts of significance to the University of Delaware, for our institution's programs and people derive great benefit from your counsel, your gifts and your employment of our graduates. A grateful University of Delaware says thank you. David P. Roselle President