Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters

Kenneth Whitney

Accomplished Business Leader, you graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. You went on to a distinguished career, first as a principal at Coopers & Lybrand LLP, and then, for 25 years at Blackstone, the largest alternative asset manager in the world, where you led investor relations and business development. You are currently an independent director and board member at PJT Partners Inc. 

Award-Winning Producer, you have an affinity for the arts and a keen eye for a good story. One of the Broadway shows you were a producer of Fun Home and Lehman Trilogy both of which won the Tony Award for Best Musical. You have also produced or executive-produced 10 films, including Tommy’s Honour, a film about the origins of modern golf that won the BAFTA Award for Best Picture in Scotland.

Dedicated Blue Hen, a long-term member of the Board of Trustees and as the Chair of the Investment Committee, you have long supported the University in your capacity as a Trustee and through your generous philanthropic efforts. In 2005, you and your wife, Liz, established the Whitney Family Scholarship and the Whitney Family Endowed Chair for a faculty member in the Department of Accounting and MIS in the Lerner College.

As a member of the UD golf team, you recognize that a strong athletic program is integral to the unique student experience offered at the University. You and Liz demonstrated your devotion to our students by making a cornerstone financial commitment that enabled the opening five years ago of the Whitney Athletic Center.

You have been inducted into the University of Delaware Alumni Association Wall of Fame, received a Medal of Distinction, along with your wife, Liz, and received the President’s Award for Philanthropic Commitment. You Chaired the Board of First Tee of Metropolitan New York, and currently serve on the national board of First Tee, which is the main philanthropic organization of the PGA Tour. Today, I would like to add to those well-deserved accolades. Therefore, under the authority of the Board of Trustees of the University of Delaware, I have the honor of conferring on you, Kenneth Whitney, the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. In testimony thereof, I am pleased to present to you this diploma.

Terri L. Kelly
May 23, 2026