Undergraduates Divider DIVERSE STUDENTS

uniquely delaware Undergraduates Divider DIVERSE STUDENTS

Undergraduates — they the differences and unique Shelley Straight — came from all over the coun- Undergraduates Editor qualities of others. In the best try, some came from different firts year on a college year- situations undergrads had alot book staff ... first year as parts of the world. They ar- a college yearbook section to teach and at the same time editor .. . belongs to the rived speaking different lan- School of Agricultural Sci- learn from one another. guages, from diverse cultures. ence. .. freshman year. Students walked their own Undergraduates at the univer- paths at the university, but sity came in with different somewhere along the way levels of ability, ambition, and those paths and ideals con- focus on their goals and future. Some had to overcome nected with the paths of others. In those moments stu- obstacles to get here, and would have to continue the dent experiences were crystallized, some common fight to stay. The differences in their backgrounds ground was met. When it happened, the university was helped shape their experiences and growth through not such a big, cold place. The students fit somehow. successes and failures at the university. Whether in a favorite class, in a club, or in a group Many students reached out to one another, in times of friends, each time undergraduates felt something of trouble and in times of triumph and celebration. "click" for them, the more they felt something was Many students overcame their differences to form added to or enriched in their experiences here. friendships, to form some community, no matter how Meeting in Smith Hall was a popular technique for spending time with friends small. Other students would not come to appreciate that did not see each other on a regular basis.

Undergraduates Divider uniquely delaware

Beginning to Taste the Power As children our parents "Choose or Lose" segments picked our clothes, chose our were two of the projects schools, and made decisions aimed at getting us to vote. for our benefit. Our structured As 18 year olds, we showed existence made us dependent. at the polls in record number. Eventually, we began to ac- We knew our voice was need- cept responsibility. At 16 or ed, so we spoke. As we con- 17 we ran for mom or dad's tinue to adjust to our new car to take the driving test that freedom and exercise our lib- would give us that first nibble erties, it is important that we of freedom. Then we started remember the glory of living looking at colleges and decid- in a nation that allows us to ed where to embark on our fu- choose. ture. Hesitantly, we packed Among those that felt the our clothes, radios, favorite need to be "... a part of pillows, sports equipment and change," (Larry Johnson teddy bears and found our- ASFR), opinions were unani- selves at the University of mous that voting is crucial to Delaware. About this time democracy. Still, others wa- most of us turned 18 and con- vered as to the effectiveness fronted our first taste of power of voting. "... many people and responsibility, the right to today do not vote. They do not vote. think their vote will be lis- Finally we had a voice in tened to." (Brook Ervin the adult world of politics and ASFR) However, we can not government. In 1992, the year let this waylay us. Every vote of our 42nd presidential elec- counts and those who do not tion, who better to choose our vote should not criticize the leader and change the world system that they have made Making friends is than we 18 year olds. As no effort to change. "We're important George Bush and Bill Clinton the future generation ... it's when starting a new phase spurred politically, young our responsibility to elect a of life alone. Many adults everywhere registered leader that has the appropriate freshmen can to vote, and the candidates qualities to govern us." (Jo- be seen exchanging worked hard to win the youth hanna Shanley ASFR) phone vote. Voting, still a privilege numbers or We as freshmen were un- yelling "See denied in some countries, is dergoing dynamic changes ya at the Abbey." Soon abused in the United States. that shape our future. Its no they get to An estimated 2/5 of the citi- wonder at times we were fran- know the people with zens of the United States vote tic. We made it past the first whom they regularly. MTV's "Rock the step in adult responsibilities, will be spending the Vote" commercials featuring voting. next four music celebrities and the — Molly Birmingham years. 240 Freshmen Frenzy Freshman Frenzy Before the Class of '96 arrived at Delaware, they were bombarded with advice: "Watch out for the freshman fifteen," "Never walk alone at night," "Beer before liquor never sicker," Phone bills are high first semester because of those and, most important, "NEVER trust calls home or keeping in touch with your best friend dining hall food if the server can't tell in Florida. Janet Dierwechter (ASFR) makes a phone you what it is." However, nothing can I call to keep up with things at home. prepare a freshman for what actually awaits him or her at college. First, the new student saw his room and won- dered how the worldly possessions of two grown people would fit into a space the size of a walk-in closet. Next the problem of roommates occur. One liked Barry Manilow, the other pre- ferred Suicidal Tendencies. Somehow a compromise was reached before the situation got out of hand. From the beginning everyone had to adjust to life in a dorm. No one under- stood why there was always one toilet that would not flush, or why the ther- mostat was set to 92 degrees. Of course, most new freshmen love the idea of coed dorms until the first not- so-perfect body walked by in boxer shorts. Eventually, classes began and everyone had thousands of questions. "What does she mean, there's a paper due next week?", "Where do I go to drop Spanish?", and, of course "What exactly is QDH?" Once the weekend had begun, it was time to party. There were endless op- tions. "Should we go to a fraternity party, or that house party down the street?", the inexperienced freshman asked, "How do I find my way back?" or even, "What's my name?". How- ever, with the help from friends, students made it home in one piece. Last but not least, was the reality of campus dining. Yes, this was the only "food" a freshman was expected to live on for the next four years. While the exact constitution of some of the meals may be debated, students were faced with a wide variety of choices. Making the decision between the Lone Ranger sandwich and the turkey cro- quettes could be extremely difficult. To some, ordering pizza at three AM was Decorating the cubicle called a dorm room is crucial popular. when adapting to unfamiliar surroundings. When it The adjustment to college life at the looks like home, it feels like home. University of Delaware was profound. By the end of their first year, freshman had learned how to balance responsibility along with their need for frenzy. — Keri Csencsits Undergraduates 241 The Freshman Class, approximately 4000 members, filed into their seats at New Student Convocation. The yellow and blue signs pointed the freshman class met President David Ro- way, as a long line of cars containing selle at a reception, attended more semi- soon-to-be freshmen and their parents nars on a variety of topics, and met with made way to Laird Campus for New Stu- their advisors. The university also spon- dent Orientation, Phase 1. Not knowing sored events designed to help the adjusting what to expect, the Class of 1996 and their and overwhelmed students meet each oth- family members took their seats and lis- er. tened intently to the opening remarks. On the third day, the freshman class, ap- After welcoming the parents, the first proximately 4,000 members, filed into move made by university officials was to their seats at the New Student Convoca- separate the parents from their children. tion ceremony. Baking in the hot sun, the Unburdened, the new freshmen took the students listened to the Devon Brass Quar- dreaded placement exam, discussed diver- tet, watched the processional of distin- sity in a required seminar, tasted their first guished faculty members march in cere- installment of campus food in Pencader monial robes, and listened as the freshmen Dining Hall, and scheduled their fall se- were welcomed formally into the univer- mester courses. Many incoming students sity community. Upon completion of the were heard, pleading, "Please, please, ceremony, the Class of 1996 scrambled to don't sign me up for an eight-o-clock grab lunch at a nearby picnic. The prepa- class!" Finally, at the end of a long, hot ration was over and the real work was summer day, the new students had their about to begin; however for the remainder identification photos taken. The wear and of the day, the energetic individuals en- tear of the day was apparent in these hast- joyed their newly obtained status as col- ily taken photographs, popularly referred lege students. to as "mug shots." — by Keri Csenesits When the freshmen finally arrived at the University of Delaware in September, The eagerness to start a new phase of life is apparent New Student Orientation, Phase 2 began. at the Convocation Ceremony. It encompasses the Over a period of three days, and without seriousness and enjoyment that each student will ex- the pressure of a full campus, the new perience for the next four years.

242 Freshmen Orientation The Convocation Ceremony formally welcomed approximately 4000 new students. Here, Freshmen and Trans- fer Students were able to see some of the university's professors. At lunch new students get the opportunity to meet new friends and socialize. This was one of the many events designed to help Freshmen adjust to college life.

The University's President, David Roselle, gave his speech before a crowd of anxious Freshmen.

Undergraduates 243 The "Freshman Fifteen" — everyone has heard of it, Or, simply being the late-night studier can get you into many have gotten to know it first hand, and only a few deep water. When those munchies start to hit about mid- of us have been able toFreshma get rid of it after obtaining it. night, it'sn either eat 1the textboo5k (which cost you $75 at What causes this pesky little creature to attach itself to the bookstore, in paperback!) or, get yourself a large order our middles? Some say it's the dining hall food. For start- of take-out Chinese food. Here comes the MUNCHIES. ers, they put the dessert first thing when you walk in . . . Yes, nothing is safe when you want desperately to avoid as if that is supposed to HELP when you're trying to keep that psychology paper or physics project. Normally it's the weight off. Then there's the mystery meat with the just a box of macaroni and cheese or a large pizza with mystery sauce with the mystery vegetable. The unknown the works, but you've got to be careful, because those content of these foods is probably 50% fillers and 50% month-old twizzlers you found under the bed might start saturated fat, but not even intense prodding of the dining to look a little too tasty if you go too long. hall staff was able to yield any results, since they too had The "Freshman Fifteen," is a burden nearly every new no idea of the contents of the so called food they were college student has to face. Many are able to get rid of it slopping onto our plates. They said that it came to them through intense exercise at Carpenter Sports Building, but in plain brown wrappers with the cooking directions, many of us are just too lazy or busy to deal with it and "boil for 5 hours or until the consistency of baby food." pray that it will go away eventually, but we haven't got Gives you a lot of confidence, huh? much hope . . . Good luck with yours!! Some also blame their late nights out partying — beer — Stacey Lush bellies the size of party balls aren't just for middle-aged men anymore! You too can have one! Or, if you're a No matter how hard one tries, no one can resist an attack of late-night munchies. woman, you can have thunder thighs and buffalo butts! Andrea Shinn (AG FR) gave in and ordered from the Upper Deck. All you have to do is spend your Thursdays, Fridays, and Although microwave dinners are convenient, those tiny dishes are packed with calo- Saturdays drinking until you build your tolerance up ries. Linda Pill (AG FR) heats up her dinner the quick and easy way. enough to drink Andre the Giant under the table.

244 Freshman You can't see it happening, but one day you step on the scale and AHH! The few ounces Karen Martin (AG FR) put on may feel like 15 pounds.

Undergraduates 245 All transfer students started their academic experience at the University of Delaware with their own goals and aims, not as beginners. Every year hundreds of transfer students come to Delaware to be intellectually challenged. Making friends at a new school was a priority of transfer students. Many returning Delawarians had old friends to find as non-natives developed new friendships.

Many obstacles such as new surroundings provided challenges for transfer students. Just as they became familiar with their previous college, they were engulfed in a different environment which in most cases became a huge campus.

246 Starting Over Starting

They came from every place imagina- Hong Kong, the transition to university life ble, other countries, towns, and cities. was marked by obstacles; a language bar- They pinned their hopeOves for success and rier, lapse orf time between studies (nearly academic challenge squarely on the shoul- ten years), and difficult credit transfer. ders of this university. Learning a new language was especially Over the years, the university served as difficult for Tan but has inspired her to host to hundreds of transfer students. Their achieve her ultimate goal. "I want to be- experiences were unique in that they were come a bilingual math teacher in a second- all newcomers but not absolute beginners. ary school. I've had the experience of ad- Each came with his own goals and private justing to a new language. I want to help aims. others." The University's mathematics Jay O'Neill (HR SO) transferred from and education courses helped open that Maryland because of the University of De- possibility for Tan. laware's larger range of studies. "Here, Her early experiences here were unset- I'm studying what I enjoy and can make a tling at best. "I didn't know anyone. I career out of," he said. The adjustment to didn't know places or how things worked. a larger campus came easier than expected. It had been so long since I'd been to "My other campus was almost constrict- school," she explained. A short while lat- ing. I wanted the change." Many uneasy er, like other transfer students, things fell moments and apprehensions for transfer more easily into place. Tan said, "I've students existed outside of academic life. made friends here. I can communicate with "It's having to get used to meeting new people. That's so important to me." people all over again," O'Neill explained. — Cheryl Jowers For Susan Tan (AS SO), a native of

Undergraduates 247 Sophomore Slump Postcards from the edge . . tions; not considered upperclassmen and too late to be In baseball, it is called the "new faces," sophomores "sophomore jinx." A stand- were in a state of constant lim- out rookie player rides high bo. into the season, on a crest of As a classification, it may fame and exciting new possi- have seemed that in housing bilities. That rookie is bound and class preference, sopho- for glory until ... his second mores got the fuzzy end of the year hits. lollipop. In terms of stability The player is not such a as well, sophomore year may new sensation, the excitement have seemed to be more like not so great. University stu- a knee-jerk response, an au- dents could take a lesson from tomatic offshoot of freshmen this. If freshman year was the year. Sophomores at the uni- first great rush and thrust to versity, and in other fields, the college experience, and may have shared more com- junior and senior years mon threads of experience marked the path from aca- that they had at any other demically testing the waters to time. It was an experience that making a commitment — the in essence "tied them over" move from student to profes- until the next series of steps in sional, then what was sopho- their progression, their No longer more year (in twenty words or achievements. "Sophomore new faces to less)? slump" was the hump they the University of Delaware, It did not seem to fit any had to get over to set the pace sophomores are familiar generalized pattern, not for success. with the woes grounded in a set of expecta- — Cheryl Jowers of college life.

248 Sophomore Slump TV Lounge The television lounge was a By sophomore year the excitement of the dorm di- great place in a dormitory for minished and second year students entered a state of "limbo." Although sophomore's may not have re- various reasons. The first and ceived their preference of housing on campus, Sue obvious reason was to watch Papa (EDSO) and Monica Pie (ASSO) seemed con- television. However, with the tent with their surroundings. television on there are always people watching it. So, the lounge became a great place to get to know the people on your floor and in the entire building. If it was really quiet, you could try to study in the lounge, but usually it didn't work out that way. Passing by the lounge to get to the dorm room, you were likely to see a friend. You would stop and talk . . . and eventually your favorite show would come on the television. You could most likely guess the times at which the lounge would be most occupied. On Tuesday night was the Class of '96 on FOX. Wednesday nights were de- voted to 90210 at 8pm and Melrose Place at 9pm. Those who were not fans of FOX had to find another lounge in which to watch television. On Sunday afternoons and Mon- day nights you could be sure that the football games were showing. Some lounges even had VCR's so students could rent movies. TV lounges also doubled as program lounges. Topics such as Black History Awareness, Condom Aware- ness, and Long Distance Re- lationships were death with in the lounge. Apparently the television lounge had as many Not all students experience a slump! Few students uses as a student could create. enjoy the knowledge and experience of being a soph- — Debra Freeman omore.

Undergraduates 249 Romantic relationships excite the lives of college undergraduates Leaving the High School scene behind phone arguements, hate mail, and gossip them, Freshmen enter college to make may entertain neighbors, but it will take a new friendships and experience new healthy relationship and destroy it. things. This, however, does not exclude Sitting by the phone on a Friday night romantic relationships. As undergradu- could be a symptom of a long distance re- ates, these relationships are unique and ex- lationship. AT&T and Amtrak love these citing, but they can be classified in three people, but the post office could do with- basic categories: Sicly sweetening, incred- out the innumerable love letters. Whether ibly jealous, and long distance. long distance relationships work is ques- Everyone has seen the couple whose tionable. It definately takes an open-mind- hands have been surgically combined and ed, trusting individual to work. whose friends refer to them by one name. These stories do not always have sad Sure these relationships can be fulfilling, endings. Instead few couples actually but one must ponder if they can actually make it through four years in a normal, last. No doubt, it is wonderful while it functional relationship. lasts. On the other hand, jealous relationships Writing and receiving love letters is one of the best can get extremely obsessive. Fist fights, parts of a long distance relationship.

KAREN NYE

250 Relationships Some people call it love, while others call it destruction. This tree carving meant something special to someone, but was damaging to nature. Having that someone special on campus is convenient for those lazy days in the sun. KAREN NYE

Couples on campus get to spend quality time with each other. This couple looked completely happy.

Undergraduates 251 Beat the clock .. . Choosing a Major of that," he explained. University students liked to think they had a game plan when they Although the time frame for graduation was more manageable for first arrived; some definite direction to travel toward, some area of students who chose their major early, for some students this very study that screamed, "Take me, I'm yours!" Many believed that they structure served to compromise or discourage the discovery of where needed something to settle into comfortably and decisively. their true talents and interests lay. Weigl said, "I feel like I chose For many, the reality of choosing a major had more false starts (biology) too early. I was so sure about it that I never gave anything than fair, or was prompted by unexpected changes in one's perspec- else a chance. I had a really closed mind." tive and academic interests. To be an undeclared student, or one who If finally choosing a major or leaping from one to another was switched majors along the way, threw the student's whole system of unnerving, at the same time it gave students a sense of security and university study off balance and started a countdown in motion . . . a brighter outlook. "I was struggling through work before, now I'm against time and credits. happy to do it. This work doesn't feel like work," Weigl asserted. Claudia Weigl (AS UG) discovered early on that her efforts in her Eric Morrison added, "I've realized I have to settle down and kick major were coming up short. She realized it wouldn't be possible to butt in all my courses. But so far, so good." compete in her chosen career with her G.P.A. "I pretty much knew — Cheryl Jowers I had to do something else," she said. One professor helped plant the seed for a new way of looking at a choice of major. After returning a paper to her, a professor suggested that she consider majoring in From the incredible number of majors to choose from in each college, most students English. "First I laughed, but then it started to make sense. I've al- had a hard time deciding on a major. From this stems a long list of double majors and ways enjoyed my English classes." minors that keep many students busy studying. Eric Morrison (AS JR) found his first area of study, Geography, Few students know what field of study they would like to enter into upon arrival at through the process of elimination — he had already compiled several the University. Taking various types of courses is a popular way to decide where one's credits in it. He went one step further and chose a second major. "I've interest lies. Day dreaming about the future also told many people of their heart's always had a real interest in psychology, I wanted to take advantage desire.

252 Choosing A Major Visiting the Student Services Building for class registration may have been particularly stressing for those of us who had no plan of action for graduation. B

Undergraduates 253 Junior

Inches from a cleaJittern getaway. study and careesr path to set out up- Further along the path of stu- on. dents' academic pursuits and ex- So close to senior year, the tran- perience lay a great watershed — sition seemed to have countless ob- junior year. For all intrepid hearts stacles thrown in one's path. The who chose to "go the distance" at third year in college may have felt the university, they had to come to like the 30th year. It was an acute grips with all the choices they had attack of "pre-senioritis." made before. The third year was Wanting to avoid the five year the final cut, the bridge that sepa- plan, juniors were ever watchful, rated the trials and errors of the first arming themselves with credit years from the more solid ground checklists, a quadron of advisors of senior year. (or whomever they could find), and While freshman and sophomore if they were really desperate, may years provided a luxury of time and have resorted to reading tea leaves freedom of choice for many stu- (although this could not be con- dents, the well ran dry during jun- firmed). ior year. More than just settling in- By junior year, all the goals stu- to their classes, students started dents had worked toward either worrying about their total credit came together peaceably or were count and the time they had left to blown to oblivion — a sharp break As upperclassmen, juniors achieve all they had set out to do. from their expected path. For those had preference of housing and classes. Being As upperclassmen, juniors had students who were jolted into a experts around campus, they preference in housing and in clas- new direction, tea leaves may have looked ahead to senior year ses. They also had pressure to de- been required reading. with horrible cases of "pre- cide, once and for all, their area of — Cheryl Jowers senioritis''

254 Junior Jitters Winter Wonderland Winter, the season most people Staying aware of all the current news around campus and around the world is important to these students scorn, is a welcomed part of the Uni- who are planning their futures. versity of Delaware academic year. Some students looked forward to rest- ing at home for the winter break with friends and family. On the other hand, many other students felt a sense of ac- complishment by taking one or a few classes over Winter Session. It is true that classes met every day for an hour and a half or twice a week ip*— for three and a half hours. This enabled all participating students to take an easier course load in the fall or just keep up with the necessary credits of a major. Finishing within five weeks made Winter Session an ideal time to take those classes that are dreaded. Dorm rooms during this time were quiet. An eerie feeling of isolation took a while to get used to but once an ap- preciation for the quiet set in, everyone came back. Winter was the perfect time to meet new people in the building and helped struggling students to graduate on time. — Debra Freeman and Not all of junior is frantic. Relaxation and social ac- tivities consume a large portion of a student's time. Shelley Straight

Undergraduates 255 Job Jamborees provided the first step in the employment search For one afternoon each fall, the down" on the organizations by dis- university served as host to more covering the breakdown of entry than 90 business organizations and level positions and what long and government agencies. The "Job short term trends were occurring in Jamboree" was sponsored by Ca- the hiring process edge. Those who reer Planning and Placement as wanted to join ranks with a corpo- part of its Job Fair week. Juniors ration on the "cutting edge" found and seniors, especially, were en- out what new markets and products couraged to participate in the were being developed. event. To make themselves more at- For many students, it was their tractive to potential employers, stu- first exposure to organizations that dents could discover what types of interested them. Most of the organ- courses and field preparation were izations that participated returned considered to be especially prom- later in the year to the Campus In- ising that would make them stand- terview Program. outs. Students had the opportunity to Wanting all the information was speak to representatives and find one thing, getting the whole picture out what kinds of jobs and intern- was another matter. One had to be ships were available as well as quick on the draw — talk fast and what challenges and benefits their literally beat other students to the companies offered. Some students tables. It was a taste of what the got the jump on the competition by real job market would be like. bringing their resumes and appear- — Cheryl Jowers ing before the representatives pol- Many students began their job searches early in their ished and groomed to perfection. junior year to get a head start for the summer and Students could get the 'low their future. Reading the wanted ads became a ritual.

256 Job Jamborees Finding out what kind of jobs and internships are available can be helpful to gain experience in a particular field. Experience at specific companies can lead to a full- time job after graduation. Students got the "low down" on some organizations from the Career Planning and Placement office. Resume counseling and research could also be done in the office.

All over campus students tried to discover what types of field preparation were necessary and what could make their resume stand out.

Undergraduates 257