Milton L. Draper Student-Alumni Award

The Milton L. Draper Award provides one or two $2,000 scholarships each year to a sophomore or junior for exhibiting outstanding performance in fostering student-alumni interaction. The recipient must exemplify Mr. Draper's characteristics of leadership, dedication and enthusiasm for the University.

Milton L. "Chic" Draper graduated from the University of Delaware in 1922 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. The Draper Scholarship honors his lifelong commitment to the University as a former University of Delaware Alumni Association president, honorary life member of the University of Delaware Alumni Association Board of Directors and devoted Sigma Nu fraternity member.

Applications for the Draper Scholarship are due in February of each year. The recipients receive a $2,000 scholarship for the following academic year and are honored at his or her college ceremony on Honors Day.

Guidelines

The applicant must:

  • Be a full-time student in the fall semester
  • Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in UD coursework.
  • Exhibit outstanding performance in fostering student-alumni interaction.
  • Exemplify Mr. Draper's characteristics: leadership, dedication and enthusiasm for the University.
2007 Recipients

Matthew Ardakanian, CHEP '08, is studying Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and has a minor in Business Administration. As part of the Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management Public Relations team, Matthew helps to foster a connection between students and alumni through organizing events and supervising various events. He is also a member of several extracurricular activities including the CHEP College's Curriculum Committee, the Persian Club and Hillel, and has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Matthew also participates as an active member of several honor societies and has been on the Dean's List every semester.

Matthew is from Ocean, New Jersey. He was nominated by Pam Cummings, professor, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management.

Jessica Rennenkampf, BE '09, is studying International Business and has a minor in French. Jessica is a UD Spirit Ambassador and serves as a student host at university events, helps to foster a connection between students and alumni and encourages spirit on campus. She is also a member of the UD Marching Band, mentors freshmen through the Distinguished Scholar Mentorship Program, served as Entertainment Editor for Quip—the Distinguished Scholar Magazine and is currently assisting the French Club with the publication of the club's first bilingual news and entertainment journal. Jessica has also been on the Dean's List every semester.

Jessica is from Columbia, Maryland. She was nominated by Sandra Tilford, Alumni Club Coordinator and Spirit Ambassador Advisor.

2006 Recipients

Karen Anderson, CHEP '07, is studying Elementary Education with concentrations in Spanish and Middle School Math. Karen is a UD Spirit Ambassador and serves as a student host at university events, helps to foster a connection between students and alumni and encourages spirit on campus. She is a member of the UD Marching Band and is involved in Habitat for Humanity, the Catholic leadership board and University Mentors. She is also a part of two different honor societies on campus and is in the university's honors program and has been on the Dean's List every semester.

Karen is from Verona, New Jersey. She was nominated by David Coker, assistant professor, School of Education.

Amanda Conforto, AS '07, is a Psychology and Political Science double major. Amanda is the secretary for the Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress (DUSC), a student organization that serves as the liaison between the student body and the university administration. Amanda is also a part of the Delaware Undergraduate Student Senate, which allows her to work with the leaders of all the student organizations on campus. She is a student development officer and team leader for the Fund for Delaware, which allows her to interact with alumni each day.

Amanda is from Springfield, Pennsylvania, and attended Springfield High School. She was nominated by Heather Barron, Associate Director, Office of Annual Giving.

2005 Recipients

Elizabeth "Liz" Wong, BE '06, is an accounting and finance double major. Liz is a UD Spirit Ambassador and assists the Office of Alumni and University Relations with campus events, including the President's pre-game brunches, the Presidential Citation Awards ceremony and Parents' Weekend events. Liz also serves as a Blue Hen Ambassador (BHA). As a BHA, she participates in numerous events, such as Delaware Decision Days, Blue and Golden Saturdays, and Discovery Days. Liz has completed an internship with Ernst & Young accounting firm. She maintains a 3.6 grade point average while beginning graduate-level coursework in economics and is pursuing minors in management information systems and international business.

Liz attended Thomas McKean High School and is from Wilmington, Delaware. She was nominated by Lauren Murray, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Spirit Ambassador Advisor.

Jeff Haas, BE '07, a marketing and management double major with a minor in international business, works as a student supervisor for the Fund for Delaware in the Office of Annual Giving at the University of Delaware. Jeff is responsible for maintaining alumni information and soliciting alumni gifts to the University through the Fund for Delaware phone program. Jeff also fosters student-alumni relations through his involvement with Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He serves as CAP Chairman of the fraternity and organizes philanthropy, community service and social events. Jeff is also a member of the UD Varsity and Club Soccer teams.

Jeff attended Holy Ghost Preparatory School and is from Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He was nominated by Kate Harding, Phone Program Manager, Office of University Development.

2004 Recipients

Karen Mascolo, HNS '06, is a nursing major and a 2004 recipient of the Milton L. Draper Student-Alumni Relations Scholarship. As a Spirit Ambassador at UD, Karen works with the Office of Alumni and University Relations to host campus events. Karen also serves as a Blue Hen Ambassador. She has participated in numerous events, such as Decision Days, Blue and Golden Saturdays, and Discovery Days. Karen is a member of several campus musical groups, including the Schola Cantorum and the UD Chorale. Her musical involvement allows her to interact with the community and UD alumni during practices and performances. Sue Clark, Assistant Dean of the College of Health and Nursing Sciences, describes Karen as "a model representative of the University" and "an exceptional student."

Karen is from Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, and is currently pursuing an honors degree in nursing.

Stephanie Dee Quiros, HNS '06, is an Exercise Physiology major and a 2004 recipient of the Milton L. Draper Student-Alumni Relations Scholarship. Stephanie is a Blue Hen Ambassador and serves as a mentor and DelaWorld 101 Leader for the program. She also shows her UD spirit by participating in Blue Hen Fever. After graduation, Stephanie hopes to work as a physical therapist. In preparation, she has served as a volunteer at both the UD Physical Therapy Clinic and the Child Life Department at A.I. duPont Children's Hospital and as a member of the Physical Therapy Interest Club. Gail E. Mattix, Advisor in the College of Health and Nursing Sciences, affirms that Stephanie "is an excellent example of leadership, dedication and enthusiasm for the University."

Stephanie is from Fair Lawn, New Jersey. She is currently pursuing a degree in exercise physiology from the University of Delaware.