NEWS

Biden seals partnership with University of Delaware

Margie Fishman
The News Journal

The University of Delaware is launching a new Biden Institute, a research and policy center focused on developing solutions to wide-ranging domestic policy issues, the university announced Tuesday.

Former Vice President Joe Biden will serve as founding chair of the institute, which will delve into many of Biden's passion topics, including economic reform, environmental sustainability, civil rights, women's rights, criminal justice and more.

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"Every day of my career in public service has been motivated by the desire to ensure that every American is treated with dignity and gets a fair shot," Biden said in a statement. "I am proud to continue that work at my alma mater, a place that is stamped on my heart."

The institute will be part of UD's School of Public Policy and Administration, and will be located, for now, on campus at 44 Kent Way in Newark. With top-ranked programs in city management, nonprofit management and public administration, the school offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. More than 300 public, private and nonprofit institutions draw on its research expertise, according to the university.

The new effort will be supported by adding about 15 faculty members to the current 24 positions and boosting enrollment at the public policy school. The school plans to expand offerings in the areas of smart cities, environment and energy, social justice and disaster management.

UD President Dennis Assanis said the institute will capitalize on Biden's vast experience as a public servant. In January, former President Barack Obama awarded Biden the  Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction — the highest civilian honor in the United States.

Biden's "insight and experience will lend invaluable enhancement to programming, education and research initiatives as the University of Delaware helps shape the future leaders of our society," Assanis said in a statement.

Biden remained connected to his alma mater throughout his 36-year senate career and his vice presidency. A frequent visitor, he has delivered four UD commencement addresses. He was inducted into the University's Alumni Wall of Fame in 1984, and in 2011, he donated his senatorial papers to the UD Library.

Biden's sister, Valerie, and wife, Jill, are also UD graduates.

In a separate release Tuesday, the University of Pennsylvania announced that Biden had been named the Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor at Penn, where he will lead the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. The new center, to be located in Washington, D.C., later this year, will concentrate on diplomacy, foreign policy and national security. Biden will also have an office in Philadelphia.

Supporter of former Vice President Joe Biden holds up a sign as his welcome home rally in late January. Biden will split his time between the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Delaware, working on various policy issues with the students at both schools.
Sister Valerie Biden stands next to her brother from Vice President Joe Biden as he honored her at his welcome home to Wilmington rally after leaving office. Biden announced on Tuesday the creation of two partnerships with the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania.

As Presidential Practice Professor, Biden will hold joint appointments in the Annenberg School for Communication and the School of Arts and Sciences, and he will also be affiliated with Wharton, Penn's business school.

But Biden isn't slated to teach any classes at either Penn or UD, spokespeople for both universities said. They declined to comment on the cost of their respective initiatives or if Biden will draw a salary from one or both universities.

Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said the universities will fully fund the efforts.

"I don't have any further detail to share on cost or salary at this time," she said.

UD spokeswoman Andrea Boyle said no state funds would be used for the Biden Institute and that UD is "exploring fundraising opportunities and activities" to pay for it. She declined to elaborate.

Biden and his family also have a long history at Penn. His late son, Beau, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter, Naomi, are all Penn graduates. In 2013, Joe Biden received an honorary degree from Penn and was the commencement speaker.

Biden said in a statement that he looks forward to collaborating with Penn on "promoting and protecting the post-WWII international order that keeps the United States safe and strong.

"The Penn Biden Center and I will be engaging with Penn's wonderful students while partnering with its eminent faculty and global centers to convene world leaders, develop and advance smart policy, and impact the national debate about how American can continue to lead in the 21st Century," he said.

In another indication that Biden is not slowing down, last week he launched a separate Biden Foundation to further his legacy, from fighting cancer and violence against women to supporting soldiers and their families. Former Delaware senator and Biden aide Ted Kaufman will lead the initiative, along with Valerie Biden Owens.

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This is a developing story. Check back at delawareonline.com for updates.

Contact Margie Fishman at (302) 324-2882, on Twitter @MargieTrende or at mfishman@delawareonline.com.