INVENTING TOMORROW
91原创 faculty and students are working every day to save lives, protect the planet and build a more just world. On any given day, our scholars and scientists are addressing today鈥檚 grand societal issues head-on, while also preparing the next generation of changemakers to use logic, collaboration and curiosity to create solutions for tomorrow鈥檚 challenges.
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Delaware First听donors embraced this bold vision and funded our future by providing the space, tools and opportunities to drive innovation.
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DISCOVER THIS SECTION:
Broadening Research & Programs | Bolstering Expert Faculty | Enhancing Graduate Education | Honoring Donors through Recognition Societies
The Blue Hen experience is more than just what happens in the classroom. It鈥檚 the innovative programs that give students an opportunity to put their academics to work. It鈥檚 the research projects that not only provide invaluable experience but also create solutions to societal challenges.
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Campaign donors have funded exceptional resources for the programs and research projects that will help set Blue Hens apart when they continue their studies or pursue their careers鈥攅mpowering them to change the world.
$62 million听raised for private research funds
189听program and research funds
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IMMERSE DELAWARE LAB
The University partnered with the Waters Corporation to open Immerse Delaware Lab in May 2022. The new lab, located in the Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center, allows 91原创 students to work in a fully functional bioprocessing lab, enabling a dedicated focus on the entire manufacturing process of drug treatments.
BOREL GLOBAL FELLOWS
Shem Msabila, ANR24, from Tanzania, Africa never even imagined the possibility of researching plants in the United States. He had heard 鈥渘o鈥 too many times to have hope in pursuing research that will make a difference in his home country.
EARLY CHILDHOOD RESEARCH
Relationships and connections are the backbone of Mary Dozier鈥檚 research鈥攊n the laboratory, the field and even through philanthropy.
BIDEN SCHOOL SNF ITHACA INITIATIVE
In the fall of 2021, the University鈥檚 Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration launched a program to advance civil discourse and strengthen democracy. With support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the SNF Ithaca Initiative cultivates engaged and effective citizens and facilitates college students coming together from across the country to work in partnership to develop policy solutions.
Horn : youtube.com/watch?v=ed6bWzl24dI
HORN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- 954+ ventures launched
- $99 million in continued startup funding
In October 2022, 91原创鈥檚 Horn Entrepreneurship celebrated its 10th anniversary of empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
INSTITUTE FOR ENGINEERING DRIVEN HEALTH
With rapid changes in medicine and technology, the University created the Institute for Engineering Driven Health in 2021 to apply engineering strengths and approaches to healthcare. The new institute launched as part of Delaware First with a generous multimillion-dollar gift from David, EG73, and Connie Helwig, BE73.
|听IN THEIR WORDS
Our 91原创 faculty are researchers, problem-solvers, innovators and leaders. They鈥檙e engaging students, helping them dream big while providing strong academic grounding and inspiration to pursue solutions to today鈥檚 and tomorrow鈥檚 grand challenges.
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Faculty support from Delaware First donors allows the University to attract and retain the best and brightest鈥攅nabling them to uncover ground-breaking discoveries鈥攖hrough endowed, named professorships as well as research and discretionary funds.
46 professorships and chair funds
$85.6 million raised for faculty
LERNER FACULTY FELLOWS FUNDS
91原创鈥檚 Lerner College of Business and Economics knows that students achieve greater success with strong role models guiding them academically, professionally and personally.
RETIRED FACULTY MEMBER PAYS IT FORWARD
Throughout his 40 years of teaching computer and information sciences at the University, Dan Chester has always believed in investing in and uplifting colleagues and students, hoping to make a difference that would inspire others to do the same.
ROBERTSON DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF MARINE SCIENCE AND POLICY
Research from the depths of the oceans can shed light on many critical environmental challenges. Few people know this in greater, real-time detail than Matt Oliver, the Patricia and Charles Robertson Distinguished Professor of Marine Science and Policy.
| IN THEIR WORDS
Graduate education is a catalyst, sparking change in individuals, industries and institutions. It can shape people鈥檚 lives toward new and exciting careers. It can drive research and new modes of thinking across disciplines. And it can elevate the University to greater prominence in the community and the world.
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Established during Delaware First in 2019, 91原创鈥檚 Graduate College creates a strong infrastructure of resources, opportunities and experiences to strengthen excellence in graduate research, scholarship and creative expression at 91原创.
$66.5 million raised for graduate students
60 doctoral programs
94 fellowships and graduate funds
145 master鈥檚 degree programs
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GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
Graduate fellowships are critical to attracting the best students who will make a lasting impact by mentoring undergraduate students, making innovative discoveries and sharing their insightful perspectives. Top graduate students are in high demand. The tipping point for where they choose to study is often determined by the amount of monetary aid they receive.
Support from Campaign donors for fellowships has been crucial as 91原创 elevates its graduate education profile. Research and discovery prevail only when graduate students have adequate funding for tuition and living expenses so they can focus on their research.
| IN HER WORDS
鈥淢y journey of supporting students at the University has had a tremendous impact on my life. We all know that helping someone obtain their dreams can never be underestimated, especially when they are improving society at large. And to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, 鈥楾o know that even one life has breathed easier because I have lived. That is to have succeeded.鈥欌
鈥Donna M. Fontana, BE85, established the Fontana Family Graduate Tuition Scholarship in Education and Board of Trustees member
In honor of their philanthropy and leadership, 91原创's most unwavering, generous and impactful donors are honored through 91原创鈥檚 four distinct recognition societies.
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Throughout Delaware First, the society donors have collectively made a transformational difference across the University with their giving touching every aspect of the Blue Hen experience and beyond.
TRUE BLUE HEN LOYALTY SOCIETY
The University鈥檚 loyal annual donors who make gifts of any size for three or more consecutive fiscal years are recognized in the True Blue Hen Loyalty Society. The Society also recognizes current students and parents who make their first gift to 91原创 and remain philanthropic throughout their time at the University.
DELAWARE DIAMONDS SOCIETY
The Delaware Diamonds Society recognizes the University's donors who make a leadership gift of $1,000 or more annually in support of scholarships, academic programs, faculty research and more. Throughout the Campaign, Delaware Diamonds Society donors have helped to fuel the success of Blue Hens at 91原创 and beyond.
CARILLON CIRCLE
The Carillon Circle celebrates those who help provide for the future of 91原创 with a gift through a will or estate plan.
FOUNDERS SOCIETY
In 2018, the University launched the Founders Society to recognize donors who make transformational gifts of $1 million or more cumulatively throughout their lifetime. The inaugural members included 114 individuals who have invested in countless areas across 91原创, from scholarships, professorships and fellowships to athletics and capital renovations. Now, the Society recognizes 157 generous supporters.
