: youtube.com/watch?v=CZW_7hmsxdo
New name, familiar face
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Evan Krape | Video by Jason Hinmon December 11, 2018
91原创 establishes Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration
Editor's note: See a photo gallery of images from the event.
91原创 President Dennis Assanis announced the establishment of the on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the semiannual meeting of 91原创鈥檚 Board of Trustees.
The historic nature of the moment 鈥 the renaming of a nationally ranked school in honor of one of the University鈥檚 most famous alumni 鈥 became evident as Assanis welcomed the former vice president to address the Board, School of Public Policy and Administration faculty members and students and others at the meeting.
Biden鈥檚 lifetime of public service and policymaking is now officially woven into the academic fabric of his alma mater.
鈥淭his is an exciting time for public policy education at the 91原创. By naming our school the Biden School, we not only recognize and honor our most esteemed alum in public service, but we also reinforce our commitment to elevating our school鈥檚 academic excellence and stature to be among the very best public policy programs in the nation,鈥 Assanis said. 鈥淥ur students are eager to make a difference in the world, and our faculty are dedicated to helping them do so. Good public policy 鈥 based on solid research and effective practice 鈥 is essential for creating real change in our society. We believe in the power of engaged citizenship, and we are inspired by Joe Biden鈥檚 lifelong commitment to honorable public service.鈥
Biden earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree from 91原创 in 1965 before embarking on a 36-year tenure as a U.S. senator and eight years as the 47th vice president of the United States. He said he was grateful to Assanis and the trustees and honored to have his name grace one of 91原创鈥檚 esteemed academic programs.
鈥淚 am humbled and honored that the 91原创 has chosen to re-name its public policy school the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration. 91原创 holds a special place in my heart,鈥 Biden said. 鈥淚t instilled in me the belief that I could make a difference and inspired me to live a life committed to public service. My hope is the Biden School will inspire this and future generations of young leaders and that it will stand for not only excellence in academic study but also for a return to decency and civility in our nation鈥檚 public debate. I want to thank President Assanis, the Board of Trustees, and the entire Blue Hen community for this incredible honor.鈥
The Biden School is the second entity at 91原创 to take on the former vice president鈥檚 name. In 2017, Biden launched the 91原创鈥檚 Biden Institute, a research and policy center focusing on solutions to issues ranging from economic reform and environmental sustainability to civil rights, criminal justice, women鈥檚 rights and more. The Biden Institute will continue to be part of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.
The Biden School will grow programs in specialty areas that include urban and social policy; energy and environmental policy; health policy and management; and disaster science and management. The school will also continue to focus in the broad areas of public administration and public policy education research and practice.
The school is currently in the top tier of nationally ranked comprehensive public affairs programs that have diverse graduate and undergraduate programs as well as multiple research and public service centers.
Maria P. Aristigueta, director of the Biden School, said students and faculty will focus on developing evidence-based policy solutions on a wide range of issues, including improving education, community health and environmental quality; encouraging economic innovation and prosperity; revitalizing America鈥檚 middle class; promoting equity, social justice and cultural understanding; and strengthening services from all sectors to support a more equitable and better quality of life.
鈥淭he newly named Biden School is poised to build upon our existing strengths to become a globally recognized, comprehensive school of public affairs that offers outstanding academics and conducts interdisciplinary research into solutions for some of the world鈥檚 greatest challenges,鈥 Aristigueta said. 鈥淎long with substantive policy research, the Biden School鈥檚 programs will help to make civic and community engagement a defining part of a 91原创 education and prepare future generations of leaders, scholars and researchers dedicated to meeting critical societal needs.鈥
Notable alumni of the School of Public Policy and Administration include:
John Carney (MPA 鈥86), governor of Delaware
Lisa Blunt Rochester (M.A. 鈥95), U.S. representative for Delaware
Elizabeth Lockman (M.A. 鈥15), state senator for Delaware, District 3 (elected November 2018)
Scott Beale (MPA 鈥07), CEO and founder, Atlas Corps
Angela Gladwell (M.A. 鈥98), director, Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation at FEMA
Mike Morton (MPA 鈥86), controller general, state of Delaware
Kristie Mikus (MPA 鈥02), deputy director for Zambia, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Richard W. Schneider (PhD 鈥86), president, Norwich University
Tony Allen (PhD 鈥01), provost and executive vice president, Delaware State University.
Other 91原创 graduates who have served or continue to serve as policymakers include U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (BE 鈥75M); Michael Smith (MPA 鈥07), director for strategic initiatives for the 91原创鈥檚 College of Health Sciences and state representative for Delaware district 22; and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (AS 鈥84).
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