Inspiring Stories

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.

The Great Depression was a dark time forever remembered for widespread unemployment, failing banks, and poverty worldwide. But Elizabeth “Libby” Scheuerman, EHD33, persevered through the struggles to achieve her academic dream at the University of Delaware, earned her education degree and went on to shape young minds as an educator and a leader. 

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.

Thanks to such meaningful connections and memorable experiences on UD’s campus, Dr. Jay L. Halio and his wife, Dr. Diane Isaacs, decided to establish several charitable gift annuities with UD.

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.

Renee O’Leary’s love of UD’s Fightin’ Blue Hens and passion for education fueled her commitment to support the future of UD.