Blue Hens making an impact

The University of Delaware Alumni Association (UDAA) has announced the 2026 recipients of the Alumni Wall of Fame Awards and the Outstanding Alumni Awards, which will be presented at a celebration during Alumni Weekend on Friday, May 29.

Alumni Wall of Fame Awards

The Alumni Wall of Fame Award recognizes UD graduates for outstanding professional and public service achievements, community service and their connection to their alma mater. This year's recipients are Kathy Card Beckles, Class of 1997; Mike Renna, Class of 1991; and John S. Riley, Class of 1968.

Kathy Card Beckles

Beckles currently serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Verisk, where she provides leadership for all legal aspects of the business. After graduating from UD with a degree in chemical engineering, she earned a Juris Doctor with honors from The George Washington University Law School.

Beckles has received numerous accolades, including the Trailblazer Under 40 Award from the National Bar Association, Corporate Counsel of the Year from the Metropolitan Black Bar Association and Black Achiever in Industry from the YMCA. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of Mobilization for Justice, providing free legal assistance to low-income New Yorkers. In 2022, Beckles was elected to the Board of Directors of Nasdaq's U.S. exchange subsidiaries.

She is strongly connected with her alma mater. She established and endowed the TEHEKA Scholarship, which supports the next generation of engineers. Beckles mentors students in the Resources to Inspire Successful Engineers (RISE) Program and is a member of its inaugural Advisory Council. She is also a member of the College of Engineering Dean's Advisory Council.

Mike Renna

A standout offensive lineman for the Blue Hens, Renna has achieved at every stage of his career, as an All-American student-athlete, accomplished executive, committed philanthropist and lifelong ambassador for UD.

He serves as the president and CEO of South Jersey Industries, a national leader in clean energy innovation. Renna has led the company's charge in committing significant investment toward decarbonization while delivering affordable energy to more than 730,000 customers. He's been honored as Laureate of the NJ Business Hall of Fame and Citizen of the Year in Business by the March of Dimes. He was also appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Economic and Community Advisory Council.

Renna, a member of the Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame, and his wife, Christina, are strong supporters of Delaware Football and the proud parents of a Blue Hen. Renna currently serves on the University's President's Leadership Council and mentors students. He has also served on the Athletic Leadership Council, participated in the Executive Mentors Scholars Program and been a trusted advisor to Delaware Athletics during transformative moments.

John Riley

With a record of public service spanning more than five decades, Riley's leadership has strengthened civic institutions, supported vulnerable populations and elevated Delaware's national profile. He led the state's successful effort to attract AstraZeneca and secured state approval and $10 million in initial funding to establish the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. Riley also led important divisions of two Fortune 500 companies and spearheaded the multi-year effort that resulted in the Sunscreen Innovation Act.

Since retiring, Riley became the founding CEO of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and published five books, three of which have won state and national awards. He has been honored with the State of Delaware Distinguished Service Award and is a member of the Salesianum High School Hall of Fame.

Riley's relationship with UD is deep and multi-generational. As a student, he was captain of the golf team and set a record for career wins. He also organized the first UD golf team fund raiser. Riley and his wife, Sharon Tollett Riley, are proud Double Dels and have three children and one granddaughter who graduated from UD.

Outstanding Alumni Awards

The Outstanding Alumni Awards are presented annually to recognize alumni for their exemplary volunteer work on behalf of the University of Delaware and/or the UDAA. This year's recipients are Debra Eskra, Class of 1996, and Richard Roux, Class of 1982.

Debra Eskra

Since graduating with a degree in marketing, Eskra has stayed connected with her alma mater. She has been a highly engaged ambassador for the Denver Blue Hen Regional Network since moving to the area in 2018. Prior to that, she was involved with UD alumni events in Los Angeles.

When Dewey Beer Co., a Delaware staple, opened a location in Denver, Eskra quickly got to know the owners and organized a Blue Hens gathering. She also provided valuable insights to help plan tailgating festivities when UD Football played the Colorado Buffaloes. Eskra, a member of the Denver Executive Council, also encourages other local alumni to attend events, subscribe to emails and update their contact information.

Eskra is a member of the Lerner College Alumni Association Board and has guided students as part of the Lerner Executive Mentoring Program. She is also a guest speaker in Data Analytics and Business Law courses in Lerner. Eskra is a senior director of measurement partnerships at Ibotta.

Richard Roux

Roux graduated with a degree in business administration and was a member of the men's club ice hockey team during his time at UD. In January of 2015, he spearheaded the effort to create the UD Hockey Alumni Association (UDHAA) to support the program's longevity and alumni engagement.

As vice president of the UDHAA, Roux has engaged with hundreds of alumni and led the effort in establishing an endowed fund for the team. He also organizes Hockey Alumni Weekend events and created a process to recognize consistent donors and engaged alumni. A member of the Hockey Wall of Fame, Roux has also helped with team practices, evaluated try-outs and advised players on running the club.

Roux is active in volunteering outside of UD, founding the Open Net Ice Hockey Tournament to benefit the Arthritis Foundation in 2000. Since 2008, he has served as the President of the Open Net Foundation. He is a managing partner at Info Solutions, A CCS Brand, and has helped build one of the top IT service companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Alumni Award recipients will be recognized along with the recipients of the 2026 UDAA Warner and Taylor Awards for Outstanding Seniors during Alumni Weekend festivities. If you are interested in attending the event, please register online, or contact [email protected] for more information.

To learn more about the UD Alumni Association Awards, visit the Scholarships and Awards page or email [email protected].