University of Delaware

University of Delaware. The University of Delaware is a major public research institution and the largest university in the state of Delaware. Located primarily in Newark, Delaware, its history traces back to 1743, making it one of the oldest universities in the nation. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and is known for its strengths in engineering, business, chemistry, and its historic ties to the chemical industry.

History

The institution originated from a "Free School" founded in 1743 in New London, with significant early support from noted Presbyterian minister Francis Alison. It moved to Newark, Delaware in 1765 and was chartered in 1833 as Newark College, later renamed Delaware College in 1843. The school closed during the American Civil War but reopened in 1870, and it was designated a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act in that same year. In 1913, it affiliated with the Women's College, achieving full coeducation by 1945. It assumed its current name in 1921 following a merger and expanded significantly post-World War II, aided by the G.I. Bill. The university's growth was further propelled by its proximity to the corporate headquarters of DuPont and the development of the Delaware Technology Park.

Academics

The university is organized into nine colleges, including the notable College of Engineering, the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, and the College of Arts and Sciences. It offers over 150 bachelor's programs and numerous advanced degrees, with particularly high research expenditures in fields like chemical engineering, biochemistry, and public policy. The university manages significant research facilities such as the Delaware Biotechnology Institute and is a member of the Sea Grant and Space Grant consortia. Its study abroad program, pioneered by professor Raymond Kirkbride in 1923, is one of the oldest and most extensive in the United States.

Campus

The main 2,011-acre campus in Newark, Delaware blends historic Georgian architecture with modern research facilities. The central The Green is surrounded by historic buildings like Old College and Memorial Hall. The campus includes the Morris Library, the Sharp Laboratory for oceanography, and the Bob Carpenter Center arena. Satellite locations include the Wilmington campus for health sciences, the Georgetown campus for agriculture, and a coastal campus in Lewes for the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Fightin' Blue Hens, compete in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association for most sports, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The football team has won six national championships, including titles in 2003 under coach K.C. Keeler. Notable athletic facilities include Delaware Stadium and the Bob Carpenter Center. The university has produced professional athletes such as Joe Flacco, Rich Gannon, and Elena Delle Donne.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include U.S. President Joe Biden, former CEO of DuPont Ellen Kullman, and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Richard Heck. The faculty has included influential figures like polymer pioneer Robert McCullough, Nobel laureate in physics David Wineland, and poet and activist Michele Volansky. Other distinguished graduates are television host Nancy Glass, former Governor Jack Markell, and astronaut Kenneth Reightler.

Category:University of Delaware Category:Universities and colleges in Delaware Category:Land-grant universities and colleges