For the Record, Sept. 12, 2025

For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of University of Delaware faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Recent publications, honors, appointments and memorials include the following:

Publications

Mina Porell, affiliated assistant professor in the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation, contributed to the catalogue for "Henri Rousseau: A Painter's Secrets," on view at the Barnes Oct. 19, 2025 to Feb. 22, 2026. Curators brought together the two largest collections of works by the artists Herni Rousseau (1844-1910): the Barnes and the Musée de l'Orangerie, Paris, for a landmark exhibition that will travel to Paris in March 2026. The exhibition features 59 paintings and one lithograph, from the Barnes, the Musée de l'Orangerie and more than 20 collections from cities around the world, including Chicago, London, New York, Switzerland and Tokyo. It also marks the first time three of Rousseau's major works will appear in the same space: The Sleeping Gypsy (1897, MoMA), Unpleasant Surprise (1899-1901, the Barnes), and The Snake Charmer (1907, Musée d'Orsay, Paris). Porell authored a chapter and several sections of the catalog exploring technical analysis of the self-taught artist's paintings, helping visitors discover an artist who engaged with modern life and thought deeply about what might appeal to potential buyers.

Honors

Limin Kung Jr., professor emeritus from the Department of Animal and Food Sciences in the UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was one of two scientists to receive the International Silage Society's first "Excellence in Research Award." The award recognized Kung's outstanding contributions to silage science through innovative and impactful research. It was bestowed during the 20th International Silage Conference held in Gainesville, Florida, in July of this year. More than 330 silage researchers from 37 countries attended the event to learn about recent research in silage production, conservation and feeding. Over the years, Kung's research has resulted in improvements in silage quality and stability, which ultimately has improved net farm income.

Appointments

Peter P. McLaughlin Jr. has been named the new director of the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) and Delaware's state geologist. DGS serves as the state's principal source of objective scientific information on Delaware's geology, water resources, natural hazards and related maps and data. The appointment, effective Aug. 1, was announced by Fabrice Veron, dean of the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, who cited McLaughlin's long record of applied research, collaborative leadership and public service as key strengths for guiding the Survey's next chapter. McLaughlin is a UD alumnus and has been with DGS since 1999, most recently serving as a senior scientist and holding a secondary faculty appointment in the Department of Earth Sciences. McLaughlin said he is excited to step into the role of director for DGS. "We have an outstanding team at DGS, and I am committed to supporting their work while ensuring we continue to deliver high-quality science that is practical, accessible and trusted by the people and organizations who depend on it," McLaughlin said.

In Memoriam

George Basalla, professor emeritus of history, died Sept. 5, 2025. A nationally recognized expert in the history of science, he served on the UD faculty from 1971 until his retirement in 1999.

Peter M. Ross, retired policy scientist in the Institute for Public Administration, died Sept. 4, 2025. He retired from UD in 2005 after a career that also included several government posts, including state budget director.

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