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Earlier this month, I received an email from a UD alum, Kevin Linton, inviting me to throw out the first pitch at tonight’s Blue Rocks game. Even if you don’t know Kevin, you may have heard his voice — he served 25 seasons as both the men’s and women’s basketball public address announcer at the Bob Carpenter Center and 22 seasons as the “Voice of Delaware Stadium” for our Fightin’ Blue Hens. In addition to being Director of Business Development for the Blue Rocks, he also serves as the public address announcer for Frawley Stadium. Although I played softball in 9th grade, given what it means to represent all of UD on that mound, I pulled in some expert counsel — our very own head baseball coach, Greg Mamula. In the picture above, he is showing me a proper grip. Standing in Bob Hannah Stadium, I felt something I have been feeling a lot lately: that particular mix of excitement and joy that comes from showing up for something that matters. The Blue Rocks are a Delaware institution. So is this university. I hope you can come on out and cheer along with other Blue Hens, and enjoy a night out, together in community, in our community. Reduced ticket packages (promo code UD2627) are available for the UD community. Here is the latest from around the Beat Last week found me at the Delaware State Fair on Governor’s Day, where I joined Gov. Matt Meyer, Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Brian Farkas, and Ernie Lopez, UD’s State 4-H Youth Development Program Leader, touring the 4-H exhibits, visiting UD’s Cooperative Extension booth, and eating the best fried chicken at the Grange, followed by ice cream at the UDairy MooMobile. The highlight for me was the recognition of three families who have farmed in Delaware for 300+ years, spanning 10+ generations. What an incredible legacy and potent signal of the importance of agriculture here in Delaware. I appreciate the conversations that are occurring on campus around cultivating a community-minded campus with in-person presence as a foundation. At the institutional level, we have started this journey by asking that offices of the President, the EVP, the Provost and the Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, AVPs, and chief-level positions be on campus at least four days per week beginning this fall. The ways in which this community-minded culture is implemented within units at UD are up to the leaders of those units. I have asked that each leader communicate with their teams as they consider what works for them, recognizing that different groups may be at different points along this journey. A hearty thank you to all those participating in the Summer 2026 AI Conversations. Across four meetings, we’ve discussed the intersection of AI and pedagogy; learning; research; and operations. Coming on Tuesday, Aug. 18, we will have our final meeting where we articulate a roadmap forward with actionable items within and across these arenas. You can find summaries of the conversations on the president’s page. If you would like to attend the final session, please rsvp at president@udel.edu. I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work of our landscaping and grounds crews. I wish you could hear the many, many, many comments about our beautiful campus in full bloom. I am grateful for the white chairs and new garbage and recycling cans that turn the greens into spaces we can not only admire but actively enjoy. Mark your calendars and plan to take part:
Yours in UD,
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