UDAA Awards

Article by Nadine Sabater Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson May 11, 2017

UD Alumni Association announces 2017 award recipients to be honored during Alumni Weekend

The University of Delaware Alumni Association (UDAA) has announced the 2017 recipients of the Emalea Pusey Warner and Alexander J. Taylor Sr. Outstanding Senior Awards, Outstanding Alumni Awards and Alumni Wall of Fame Awards.

On Saturday, June 3, during Alumni Weekend, award recipients will be recognized at the UDAA Awards Ceremony being held at 5 p.m. in Gore Recital Hall of the Roselle Center for the Arts. The event will include recognition of the alumni awards as well as recipients of the most prestigious student awards at UD – the Emalea Pusey Warner and Alexander J. Taylor Sr. awards.

The awards ceremony is open to the public, and all past recipients are encouraged to attend.

Click here to register today.

UDAA Warner and Taylor Awards for Outstanding Seniors

The Emalea Pusey Warner and Alexander J. Taylor Sr. Awards annually honor an outstanding woman and man, respectively, of the senior class. Recipients must demonstrate leadership, academic success and community service. Students must also have a cumulative index of 3.0 or better at the end of the first semester of his/her senior year.

Emalea Pusey Warner Award recipient Linda (Ellie) Halfacre will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and public policy. An Honors student, Halfacre is a Eugene du Pont Distinguished Memorial Scholar, funded by the Unidel Foundation.

While on campus, she was a victim advocate who offered immediate, confidential crisis assistance to survivors of sexual assault and implemented a domestic violence public awareness poster campaign. She was an active student senator with the Student Government Association and the founder and president of the Red, White and Blue Hens group, which planned and executed local voter engagement initiatives.

The recipient of the Alexander J. Taylor Sr. Award, Micah Petersen will earn double undergraduate degrees in Chinese studies and international relations and a concurrent master’s degree in geography. Petersen will study in Beijing’s Tsinghua University, one of China’s premier institutions, beginning in August as a Schwarzman Scholar.

He is an Honors student, Eugene du Pont Distinguished Memorial Scholar, funded by the Unidel Foundation, and the recipient of several prestigious scholarships and grants. Petersen is the founder and CEO of Reviresco Inc., a 501c3 organization that recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of military personnel.

UDAA Outstanding Alumni Awards

The Outstanding Alumni Awards are presented annually to an alumnus and alumna in recognition of their exemplary work on behalf of the University of Delaware and/or the UDAA. This year, the University honors Alan L. Brayman and Darelle Lake Riabov.

Alan Brayman received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UD in 1973 and went on to earn his master’s degree in business administration from Shippensburg University. After a term as a member of the UD Alumni Association Board of Directors, Brayman became the UDAA’s 27th president. He remains engaged with UD as a member of the Lerner College Alumni Association. He and his wife, Joann, also volunteered with the UD Parent and Family Leadership Council while their children attended UD.

Darelle Lake Riabov earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics education from UD in 1973. The quintessential UD cheerleader, Riabov has always made time to give back to her alma mater. She served as the 28th president of the UD Alumni Association and remains involved as a member of the nominating committee. She currently serves as a VAST team member and Hen Hatch judge and is the vice chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council.

UDAA Alumni Wall of Fame Awards

The Alumni Wall of Fame Award recognize outstanding professional and public service achievements by UD graduates. This year, the UDAA honors Ann Massey Badmus, Richard J. Gannon, Elizabeth Anthony Mattey and Paul M. McConnell.

Ann Massey Badmus received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UD in 1984 and went on to earn her law degree in 1989 from Widener University School of Law. She is currently a partner in the Immigration Law Section of Scheef and Stone LLP. Badmus is a nationally recognized immigration lawyer and a sought-after speaker on immigration law. She has published numerous articles, hosted a television program, been interviewed on the national and local radio and written a book on immigration for physicians.

Richard J. Gannon earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UD in 1987. As a student, Gannon was the first football player in UD history to set 21 school records. After graduation, Gannon entered the 1987 NFL draft and was selected by the New England Patriots. He achieved his greatest successes with the Oakland Raiders, including an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII. When Gannon retired from football, he joined CBS as an NFL analyst. In addition to his CBS duties, Gannon is a highly-regarded sports analyst and co-host of The Sirius Blitz on Sirius XM NFL Radio.

Elizabeth Anthony Mattey received a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1977 and her master’s in nursing in 1994 from UD. Mattey is the lead school nurse in the Brandywine School District, having worked as a school nurse for 30 years. She is the president of the National Association of School Nurses, which serves almost 17,000 school nurses around the country. She is also currently a member of the Professional Advisory Board for the Epilepsy Foundation in Delaware and a past president of the Delaware School Nurse Association. 

Paul M. McConnell received his bachelor’s degree in political science from UD in 1974. He is the founder of McConnell Development Inc., McConnell Johnson Real Estate and 1313 Innovation. McConnell has developed office, residential, commercial and industrial properties, totaling over 5 million square feet in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 1313 Innovation was the first community-based mobile tech innovation center, a collaborative environment for professionals and students. In 2015, 1313 Innovation hosted more than 100 events, including the Tech2Gether conference, the anchor event of the first Delaware Innovation Week, highlighting local entrepreneurs, start-up companies and showcasing emerging technologies.