Inspiring Stories

The University of Delaware has received the largest philanthropic contribution from an individual or family in the University’s 282-year history.

Gary and Carol Mertes-Smith didn’t know it at the time, but if it weren’t for their fathers, they may never have built their life together.

James Paulk was a native Georgian enrolled at the United States Naval Academy when he met the love of his life: Patricia “Pat” Metzler (AS57), who was attending the University of Delaware.

Jim Faller and Katy (Eliades) Faller survived childhoods in war-torn Greece during the 1940s. Through the sacrifices of others, namely their parents, they returned safely to America and went on to achieve their educational and professional goals.

The lifetime of memories and UD activities inspired Chip and Doris Bixler to include the University in their estate plans.

As the daughter of an architect and the granddaughter of an MIT-educated chemist/pharmacist, Cynthia Jones-Hundley had always been prepared for a future career in engineering.