• University of Delaware’s class of 2025 features more than 6,400 graduates.
• Dennis Assanis thanked the community at his final commencement as UD’s president.
• Action News anchor Matt O’Donnell was the guest speaker.

The University of Delaware class of 2025 is off into the real world.

The university community of administrators, faculty, staff, graduating students and their loved ones poured into Delaware Stadium in Newark on a crisp morning May 24 to celebrate this year’s graduating class. Almost 6,500 graduates make up the class.

Of the total number, more than 4,800 are undergrads, and more than 1,600 are graduate students. About 42% of the class are Delawareans. UD President Dennis Assanis gave this class a unique distinction in his speech.

“Congratulations to the amazing class of 2025,” he said to the crowd. “The best class to ever graduate from the University of Delaware.”

It’s his last commencement ceremony as the president of the university. He has served as president since 2016 and oversaw the expansion of the Science, Technology and Advanced Research Campus; introduced new research opportunities; and oversaw the elevation of the school’s athletic program into Conference USA.

“Over the years, we’ve been so impressed and so inspired by the drive, the dedication to the amazing talents of UD students,” he told students. “Thank you for the transformative and memorable time that we spent together.”

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He thanked the university community and ended his remarks by taking a selfie from the stage with the students in the background.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate at the ceremony. Other people who received honorary distinctions were Wilmington Mayor John Carney, former MBNA executive John Cochran III, biologist and former UD Provost Robin Morgan, professor emerita of theatre and dance Lynette Young Overby, and ABC Action News anchor and guest speaker Matt O’Donnell.

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE NEWS: Newark is a Gov. Matt Meyer signature away from being able to levy a per-student tax on UD

O’Donnell was tasked with this year’s guest speaking gig, following Joe Flacco in 2024, former astronaut Mae Jemison in 2023 and then-leader of the free world Joe Biden. O’Donnell’s speech related to students at his alma mater, UD, and challenged them to continue being authentic.

“You are doing these things because you are trying to experience what we took from you as parents when we gave you smartphones way too early and stopped allowing you to go out on your own; you are seeking authenticity,” he said in his speech. “You might be the anxious generation, but personally, I define you as something different. You are the disruption generation.”

GRADUATION PHOTOS: See Delaware State University’s 2025 commencement ceremony

One graduate, Devin Jiang from Brandywine Hundred, is looking toward the nation’s capital. At UD, he said he learned about politics and its inner workings and has worked in the White House and state Legislature during his Blue Hen tenure. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2024, the second Chinese-American to represent Delaware. He is now a staff assistant for Delaware’s senior senator, Chris Coons.

“I just want to learn as much as I can about the federal government and represent Delaware on the national stage,” he said in an interview.

Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.

If you head to Rehoboth Beach and walk into the Atlantic Ocean, you know there’s something in the water.

From sharks to jellyfish, you know you’re entering their house and proceed cautiously.

But what about Delaware’s lakes? No, there aren’t any sharks, but other nightmare fuel is lingering in the water.

Delaware’s lakes and ponds have snakes floating and slithering in the water. While the danger level might not be as high as Florida’s, it’s still something to watch out for.

Here’s a look at the five most snake-infested lakes and ponds in Delaware, according to worldatlas.com.

Lums Pond

The pond, located in Lums Pond State Park, has numerous varieties of snakes. However, the inlets and small islands are perfect for northern water snakes to bask in the sun. The snakes thrive on fish and amphibians and benefit from the surrounding forest and wetlands.

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Trap Pond

Trap Pond, located in Trap Pond State Park, is noted for its cypress swamp. The bald cypress trees and the tree’s root structure provide a great hiding place and basking spot for eastern garter snakes and northern water snakes.

Silver Lake

Located in Dover, Silver Lake is lined with trees and vegetation, making it a great place for snakes. The northern water snake is seen here, but eastern kingsnakes are also occasionally seen in the wooded areas of the lake.

Garrison Lake

Garrison Lake is a popular spot in Kent County for fishing and boating. The marshy areas and dense vegetation are perfect habitats for northern water snakes, eastern garter snakes, and eastern rat snakes. The wetlands are attractive to snakes due to the abundance of prey and the availability of cover.

Red Mills Pond

Red Mills Pond, located near Lewes, has a rich biodiversity supporting numerous amphibians and small mammals, which attract snakes. Among the snakes you may see in and around the pond are the northern water snake, eastern ribbon snake and eastern ribbon snake.

The above snakes are nonvenomous. However, you will still want to use caution around them.

• Delaware’s House Bill 34, allowing Newark to impose a per-student tax on the University of Delaware (UD), passed the state Senate unanimously.
• The bill permits a tax up to $50 per student per semester, aiming to generate additional revenue for the city.
• While the bill awaits Gov. Matt Meyer’s signature, Newark Mayor Travis McDermott assures a measured approach to implementing the tax if approved.

A per-student tax from Newark on his hometown college is closer to a reality than ever.

The state Senate passed House Bill 34, which would amend Newark’s city charter to allow it to levy a per-student tax on the University of Delaware. UD is the largest university in the state and the economic and cultural heartbeat of Delaware’s third most populated city. There weren’t any ‘no’ votes from any state representative of senator against the bill.

The bill allows the city to levy a tax of up to $50 per-student, per-semester. City officials have long been searching for an additional revenue stream to help with rising property taxes and utility costs. UD occupies nearly 40% of the city’s municipal borders, and it sits on untaxable land. But its students, faculty, staff and their families are the drivers of Newark’s economy.

Now the bill has to be signed by Gov. Matt Meyer. The governor’s office said the legislation is under review, but did not indicate anything further.

Newark Mayor Travis McDermott said this is a long time coming and thanked the bill’s sponsor, Democratic state representative for Newark Cyndie Romer, for her work to get it through.

“I think it’s a piece of the puzzle to achieving equitable funding for the City of Newark,” he said.

The bill has one amendment, deleting the cost of living adjustment made to the tax rate every year, keeping the limit at $50. If signed, it will be up to the city to put this into action.

McDermott said if the bill is signed into law, the city will not rush to levy a tax. After all, graduation is this weekend.

He said the council and city staff will look at what the best rate is and does not think the tax will start at the maximum allowed $50 rate. If signed, the city council will take a look at the rate while formulating next year’s city budget.

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“I don’t want to just throw an arbitrary number out and say this is what the fee is going to be,” he said. “I think we need to do an analysis of what the services cost and what would be the appropriate fee to set. So, that’s going to take some work on city staff’s part to see where we want to put that number out.”

At its maximum rate, the city could pull in $2.4 million, which is about a 8% increase in revenue. Utility payments make up 75% of the city’s revenue. It has already hiked property taxes by 7.5% for the 2024-25 budget.

UD’s economic output is indelible. Blue Hens contribute more than $3 billion annually, according to a report in 2022. Despite its output for the city and state, the city only collects around $180,000 from the university annually from deals made in 1965 and 2002.

In an emailed statement to The News Journal on May 23, UD said it shares an interest in Newark’s improvements, financial viability and strength, and that the city’s issues with rising costs reflect its own problems. UD’s focus remains on access to its education.

“We prepare students, including thousands of Delawareans, for success in their professions, communities and beyond,” the university said in its statement. “Our goal is and remains centered on providing an accessible and affordable pathway to a UD education for our students – those who contribute social, cultural and economic value to the City of Newark.”

Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.