Stories & Updates

This academic year, the University of Delaware (UD) has taken bold steps toward coordinating character development across its undergraduate experience. With generous support from the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University, UD was awarded a 12-month Capacity-Building Grant to conduct an institutional consensus of its leadership and character education efforts. The initiative is being led by Johann Ducharme, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Faculty Director of the Siegfried Fellows, in collaboration with cross-campus leaders in Athletics, Student Life, and the Honors College.

The following events, funded by the ECI grant, stood out as milestones for this work—both capturing the energy, curiosity, and commitment of UD's faculty, staff, and students.

This semester, the Siegfried Fellows program brought two extraordinary leaders to campus: Vera Leung, Content and Creative Senior Director at the International Rescue Committee, and Jim Clifton, Chairman of Gallup. Both engagements offered transformative perspectives on leadership, creativity, and decision-making, leaving a lasting impact on students and faculty alike.

The 2025 UD Convening on Character Development brought together faculty, staff, administrators, and students from across the University of Delaware (UD) to engage in a meaningful and practical conversation on integrating character development into undergraduate education during a day-long conference held in the Audion on February 7.

The University of Delaware is set to host the inaugural UD Convening on Character Development on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Audion at STAR. This event aims to unite key campus stakeholders—including faculty, staff, administration, and student leaders—to advance initiatives focused on undergraduate character development. Registration is requested. Visit the event webpage for information on registration and agenda.  

Horn Entrepreneurship recently honored Dave Raymond with the 2024 Siegfried Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Nasir Young with the 2024 Student Award at a private dinner and award ceremony. The Siegfried Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership recognizes exceptional individuals who have not only shown themselves to be stewards of innovation through significant contributions to the leadership ecosystem, but have also made a significant positive impact on their communities and industries.

Effective leadership in the dynamic world of innovation and entrepreneurship is essential, driving both growth and creativity. At the heart of this leadership is the ability to lead oneself before guiding others. The Siegfried Fellows program is founded on this principle. Meet the 2024-2025 cohort of Siegfried Fellows.

In a time where it can be easy to feel lost as a young business professional, UD alum Brad Bono’s Aspire Interactive shines as a mentorship-focused organization dedicated to guiding individuals through their lives and careers while facing the complexities of the digital age. Aspire Interactive is meant to be a beacon of wisdom and experience, designed to empower people in this rapidly evolving landscape. At the heart of Brad's approach is the profound significance of mentorship. Bono, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience starting and exiting businesses in the telecommunications industry, has seen the pitfalls and stressors of a professional life, and now wants to help the next generation tackle those challenges.

WE Hatch is here to support, uplift, and recognize women making strides and impact. WE Hatch seeks to advance creative, innovative and entrepreneurial women within UD and the broader community. Through honor circle ceremonies and speaker breakfasts, women can congregate to share stories and advice with others to continue the cycle of support. On February 14th, a WE Hatch breakfast and interviews was hosted, featuring Chrissi Rawak.

Are you a student leader looking to take your skills to the next level? Are you eager to make a tangible impact on your campus and beyond? Look no further than the Siegfried Fellows program. The Siegfried Fellows program is a highly selective, cohort-based, 10-month immersive experience tailored for students with leadership aspirations. Its curriculum aims to enhance self-awareness and personal growth, foster connections with regional leaders, and ignite a drive for positive change. Participants are aspiring leaders striving to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets, resilience, and creative problem-solving skills, all while nurturing their character virtues.

University of Delaware has welcomed a few new faculty members over the past couple years from a wide range of departments and fields. Gladly UD’s Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Fellows Program (REEF) has added Megan Pillsbury as their director in 2022. A talented individual like Megan Pillsbury has a lot to share and a lot for us to learn about. She was able to speak with Horn Entrepreneurship and share some more about herself, her role, and experiences.