Grace Thompson Leong of the Class of 1988
and Steven E. Linberg of the Class of 1973 were recognized as 2013
recipients of the University of Delaware Alumni Association (UDAA)
Outstanding Alumni Award on Oct. 13.
Presented each Homecoming Weekend by UDAA, the award is given to UD
alumni who have exhibited exceptional volunteer work on behalf of the
University and/or the alumni association.
Leong has served on the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Advisory
Council since 2009 and is the current vice chair. She is also a member
of the Horn Program for Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board in the
Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics.
For several years, Leong has been a professional adviser to UD's
Public Relations Student Society of America, and has provided resources
and funding for dozens of communications students to engage in
professional development opportunities. She also sponsors a Winter
Session internship at her New York based public relations firm that is
exclusively reserved for UD students.
Leong has been an active alumna serving as the moderator of a
distinguished panel of speakers at "An Evening of Conversations and
Connections" alumni event held in New York City in October 2011 and
again at the event held in Washington, D.C., in June 2012.
She has assisted the University's Office of Annual Giving by loaning
her story to an appeal letter that was mailed to fellow 1980s alumni
detailing her experience at UD and how it impacted her life and career.
Additionally, she and her husband Todd, a member of the Class of 1986,
are volunteers in the Delaware Diamonds Society rebranding efforts,
acting as a profile story in UD's marketing efforts.
Linberg served as a founding member and as inaugural chair of the
College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council from 2009 until 2012. He
assisted the dean in setting the strategic direction for the council and
led regular council meetings held twice per year.
Additionally, he helped to recruit other members of the council and continues to serve as immediate past council chair.
Linberg has supported UD by attending numerous events on campus,
including the Plastino Scholars annual dinner, president-hosted pre-game
receptions for basketball and football games, Kent and Sussex County
Alumni Club gatherings, and "An Evening of Conversations and
Connections" with Washington, D.C., alumni.
Linberg and his wife, Alice, of UD's Class of 1973, have steadily
contributed to UD since 2000 and are current members of the Delaware
Diamonds Society at the Senior Benefactor level.
As proud UD alumni, all three of their children graduated from UD,
along with two of Steve Linberg's siblings. He is a member of the Phi
Kappa Phi academic honor society at UD.