University of Delaware Alumni Relations Blog

The UD Alumni Relations Blog has been away for quite some time. While we would love to say that we’ve been away living vicariously through ourselves, we’ve really just been a bit lazy. Moving on.

It’s been a wild few weeks on campus as politics and the upcoming mid-term election taking front seat. The madness peaked yesterday as the second of the Delaware Debates took place in Mitchell Hall. Delaware Senate candidates Chris Coons (D) and Christine O’Donnell (R) took to the stage and their fans took to the streets.

In addition CNN came to broadcast from campus. Wolf Blitzer hosted his show, The Situation Room, just outside Smith Hall and then he co-hosted the debate. This morning Kirin Chetry of American Morning set up outside Mitchell Hall on South College Avenue and provided live post-debate coverage.

Check out the photos below, loyal readers. Needless to say, it’s been a wild few days.

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Previously we complained about “semi-suicidal jaywalkers” in Newark and it appears Newark’s finest have a bone to pick with illegal street crossing as well.

With the beginning of the fall semester, UDaily reports “the Newark Police Department has announced that it will be enforcing laws pertaining to pedestrians and crosswalk safety, as well as vehicle driver rights and duties regarding pedestrians.”

To be frank, our complaints about jaywalkers are done with our tongues firmly in our cheeks because we’re just as guilty as the next Blue Hen when it comes to darting across Main Street, Delaware Ave, South College Ave, Academy Street, et al.

similar to Main St. & N. College Ave., no?

The UDaily article/warning continues to state that main areas of enforcement will include, “Delaware Avenue, Main Street, College Avenue, Cleveland Avenue and Elkton Road.”

Gah! They’re after us!!!

Stay vigilant, Blue Hens, and make sure to look both ways for cars, and all around you for police, when crossing the street!

Newark Police Department announces enforcement of pedestrian law [udel.edu/udaily]

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Yesterday at the Bob Carpenter Center the Class of 2014 was officially welcomed to the University of Delaware by President Pat Harker, Provost Tom Apple ’82PHD and a host of UD dignitaries.

President Harker told the freshman, “You’re a student today, but you’re a Blue Hen forever. You’re tied to this University and its people, and to all the virtual strangers sitting way too close to you right now.”

The students all received gold t-shirts which featured the University’s new slogan, Dare to be first. Harker commented that he hoped the Class of 2014 would dare to make the world a more innovative, more humane, more beautiful place to be.

After the ceremony, the students were treated to a meal just outside the Field House and all freshman were encouraged to sign their class banner. The banner, sponsored by the UD Alumni Association, will be displayed at class-specific events over the course of the next four years, in particular Commencement 2014. Check out the photos of the newest Blue Hens engaging in this newest UD tradition.

New Student Convocation Welcomes Class of 2014 [udel.edu/udaily]
Dare to be first [udel.edu/daretobefirst]
UD Alumni Association [UDconnection.com]

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Off campus Blue Hens have been coming back to Newark throughout the week. Student-Athletes have been in the dorms since preseason started. And some students have been on campus because they’ve been taking classes. But all that isn’t the same as move-in day.

Yesterday marked the beginning the what the UD Alumni Relations Blog has dubbed The Return as early move-in kicked off. Check out the photos below and see for yourself. Pencader Dining Hall looked to be filling up and the Independence Turf (Pencader Dorms, RIP) hosted some bros playing sports.

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According to sister-site UDaily, URS Corporation has been selected by 1743 Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Delaware, to manage the demolition of the former Newark Chrysler Assembly Plant site.

The 272-acre (!) site was purchased for approximately $24 million in November 2009 and was possibly home to a zombie attack in the same year. UD has since announced plans to develop a new research and technology campus on the site to reshape the southern entrance to campus. The UD Alumni Relations Blog has put forth its own plans to develop the site – plans which include a giant skate park, several water slides, a polo ground with stables (see above) and, of course, a monorail. Sadly (for humanity), the University has not granted our proposal a formal hearing.

URS will be responsible for the decommissioning/cleaning of equipment, asbestos abatement, demolition of buildings and removal/recycling/disposal of all materials. Approximately 95 percent of the material from the site will be recycled and most of the work is expected to be complete in November 2011.

We will continue pressing our plan (polo ground, monorail, et al) and we would love to hear your thoughts, loyal reader. Drop them in the comments.

URS to decommission former Chrysler Plant for science, tech campus [udel.edu/udaily]
Simpsons – Monorail

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