Why We Soar: Insight to impact

Several years ago, Adrian Costello ’90 was certain about two things. First, his UD education prepared him well to give back to the community. Second, if his son also decided to become a Flyer, it could open up other opportunities for Costello to connect with his alma mater.

Both things came together in 2019 when son Duncan enrolled as a music education major and Costello and his wife, Keller Arnold, accepted the invitation to join UD’s Parent Leadership Council. Among the ways they’ve chosen to give back is by supporting UD’s Flyer Promise Scholars program. Their volunteerism and gifts contribute to the success of the University’s We Soar campaign.  

When Costello and Arnold traveled from Yardley, Pennsylvania, to Dayton to drop off Duncan for his first semester, they knew they wanted to stay more connected to the University while giving Duncan space to create his own UD experience.

The Parent Leadership Council was a perfect fit. It is a network of parents and family members who work closely with President Eric F. Spina to advocate for students. Through the council, the couple also learned more about Flyer Promise Scholars, a program that makes a UD education attainable to more high-achieving students.

They said it was eye-opening — and exactly how they were looking to get involved. The couple wanted to spread the word among other parents about the importance of Flyer Promise — including its advising, academic enrichment, mentoring, leadership, study abroad and other opportunities, plus scholarships.

They also wanted to give to its success. In addition to the couple’s significant contributions to the program, Costello is giving back as a volunteer co-chair of the Flyer Promise Initiative and a member of the campaign cabinet for We Soar. He is encouraging others to donate to endowment funds to support the Flyer Promise program.

“Scholarships are just one component of the Flyer Promise program,” Costello said. “UD goes even further, covering everything that can help students who may not have had another path to a UD education to be successful at UD — and after … .”

“The Flyer Promise program is as UD as anything.”

The most powerful motivator, Arnold said, is seeing the success of each student as they progress through the program.

“By the time these [Flyer Promise] students get into their second or third year, they could be running the program because they are smart kids,” she said.

Because of its donors, students who wouldn’t have been able to become Flyers are soaring. And the couple is certain there’s more success ahead.

photo courtesy Adrian Costello