fall/winter 2007 WU universitywilmington new locations newJust Over locations the Bridge Justin New Over Jersey the Bridge in New Jersey new name newWilmington College name WilmingtonBecomes A University College Becomes A University distance learning distanceStudents Earning learning StudentsOnline Degrees Earning Online Degrees MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Readers, It has been a year of incredible growth and success for Wilmington University! As many of you already know, the institution went through a change in designation and has officially become known as Wilmington University. The name change comes with plentiful benefits, and we have had an overwhelm- ingly positive response from students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community. Along with the name change, Wilmington University opened three locations in southern New Jersey that will be offering select degree-completion programs. The locations are Burlington County College, Cumberland County College and Salem Community College. This is the first time in history that the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education has granted licensure to an out-of-state institu- tion to offer degree programs at multiple sites on community college campuses in New Jersey. Additionally, the University has introduced a new doctoral program. The Doctor of Business Administration program is designed for business executives who are interested in building upon their master’s degrees to excel in leadership, management and academia. The University has also introduced a distance-learning program. We now offer four undergraduate degree programs entirely online! The programs in Criminal Justice, Human Resources Management, Business Management and Marketing allow students to earn a quality education from anywhere in the world. There are many in today’s world who cannot come to class as frequently as they would like. Our distance-learning program gives these students the opportunity to earn a degree conveniently, affordably and promptly. We hope that this magazine will help answer any questions you may have about the changes Wilmington University has experienced. We understand that we would not be the progressive, suc- cessful institution that we are today without the help of our committed faculty, our supportive staff, our alumni and, most of all, our enthusiastic students. I would like to personally thank all of you for turning a college with humble beginnings into the large, thriving institution that we are today. We didn’t turn Wilmington College into a University. You did. Sincerely, Dr. Jack P. Varsalona President Fall/Winter 2007 1 Dear Wilmington University Supporters: It is an honor to write to you regarding you, our supporters, that the University can continue support of the Wilmington University to enhance academic programs, student-centered services Annual Fund Drive. As a graduate and state-of-the-art technology. of the class of 1980, I have had the opportunity to observe with pride the Sincerely, growth of the University throughout the state of Delaware and our new licensure in the state of New Jersey. Terry R. Spence Your contribution will impact the educational experi- Speaker of the House, House of Representatives ence of both current and future students. It is through 18th Representative District DONOR CATEGORIES $50+ . ALUMNI CLUB $100+ . EXECUTIVE CLUB $500+ . PreSIdeNT’S ClUb $1,000+. UNIVERSITY CLUB HERITAGE CLUB: CONTINUOUS DONOR FOR FIVE YEARS Attached is postage paid, addressed envelope for your donation convenience. You can also pledge online and locate our matching gift companies by visiting www.wilmu.edu/alumni. A NOTE CONCERNING THE ENVELOPES No one can miss the changes around campus. Signs on buildings, banners that hang from walkway lanterns and more are slowly changing to reflect our change in status to a University. The magazine is definitely a place you will see the name change – it is all over the magazine except for one spot. As I’m sure you know, all of these changes cost money. Our pledge envelopes were ordered well in advance of the change, and we in University Relations felt strongly about not wasting the resources allocated to print these envelopes. We want you to rest assured that we are conscious of this, and that by using these envelopes, we are making sure that your generous gifts are not wasted on expensive fundraising materials. MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR Exciting WU SummEr wilmington university ell, what an Some of you are already PRESIDENT e x c i t i n g doing this through our Dr. Jack P. Varsalona summer we office of Alumni Rela- Director of University had! For those University Relations/ Photographer tions, but don’t forget executive editor Susan L. Gregg Wof you who have been to send us pictures! We Christopher Pitcher Class Notes Editor/ following the college would love to show wed- Art Director/ Alumni Relations through the course of ding pictures or baby Managing Editor Patricia Jennings Jacque Varsalona establishing three new pictures in this section. Alumni Relations partnership sites in the Jamie Varsalona Associate Editor Associate While we can’t return Suki Deen Brandi Purcell state of New Jersey and our becom- them to you, we can place them ing a University, you know how busy Graphic Designer prominently in the Alumni Notes Erin Hart we have been. Even here at the mag- section for all to see. azine, we have had to retool our pub- Also, in our editorial section, we All correspondence should be addressed to: Director of University Relations lication to reflect the progress that are always looking for stories about Department of University Relations we have made and are proud to offer the accomplishments of those in Wilmington University 31 Read’s Way the new issue of Wilmington Uni- the Wilmington University family. New Castle, DE 19720 versity Magazine, which you hold in Many of you are out in the world www.wilmu.edu your hands. doing truly extraordinary things and wilmington university As the Director of University we want to hear from you about your magazine is produced for Relations, it is my happy job to be experiences. Therefore, I would like wilmington university by: the conveyer of news and information to invite you to write to us here at Media Two, Inc. about the University to you. As a the Wilson Graduate Center. We 1014 W. 36th St., Baltimore, MD 21211 Tel: 410-828-0120 group, we in University Relations do would be delighted to hear from you Fax: 410-825-1002 this in several ways – through pod- www.mediatwo.com and will try to publish as many as casts, mailings and, of course, this we can in upcoming issues. Please President Advertising magazine. However, we don’t want include your name and address so Jonathan Witty Account executive Jessica Stryker this to be a one-way street. I know that we can drop a little thank you Chairman that exciting things are going on in Robert F. Martinelli Creative Director for your participation in the mail. Randy Clark your homes and lives as I write this, All of us here at Wilmington Managing Editor Pete Kerzel Art Director and Wilmington University Maga- University Magazine hope you have a Lanie Bologna zine is the perfect place to get the happy and healthy winter season! Project Manager Julie Lang news out to your friends and family. In the Alumni Notes section, you WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE is the official magazine of Wilmington University and is produced by the Publications Department of the Office can keep everyone up to date on mar- of College Relations. It is published and distributed twice a year. With a circulation of 30,000, WILMinGton riages, births, career changes, publi- Christopher Pitcher UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE is sent to active students, alumni and other constituents of the University community. Personal views expressed in articles by cations of your writing or anything Director of University Relations faculty and staff do not necessarily reflect the official policies of Wilmington University. in your life in which you take pride. Executive Editor fall/winter 2007 3 Beach Guide 2007 More Than 350 Awesome Winners! Singles: The Who’s Who of Hot ® Summer ® ® 43delicious Fun reasons to [ dine out Dining, Shopping Real Estate Fashion and More Fun Than You Can Stand Plus: Hidden Treasures at Our Museums Wilmington’s Jazz History Saving the State Through Ethanol? Cedar-plank salmon from Moro in Wilmington [ Dewey Beach: As Screwy as Ever? The Straight Story on Christina School District Your guide to living and playing in the First State. Buy a one-year subscription to Delaware Today and receive the next two issues of Delaware Today’s %&Health & Fitness Guide for FREE. Free Exercise LOCAL Log Inside HOSPITAL GUIDE DANCE your way to 20 health Great Places to Exercise PLUS: 10 Great Reasons Outdoors to Drop 10 Pounds EAT WELL, EAT LOCAL Where to Find the Food That’s Best for You Improve Your Posture 10 Things You Must Cycling on * Coastal Your Guide to Medi Spas Highway at Tell Your Doctor the Indian River Inlet Don’t Give Up Comfort Foods Get Strong, —Make Them Healthier Healthy Legs Now 071201 To subscribe go to www.delawaretoday.com FALLWINTER Volume 2, Number 1 Fall 2007 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 14 Wilmington College Becomes a University 6 WC Notes With the persevering spirit of Dr. Jack P. Varsalona, Wilmington College Wilmington University shares officially became Wilmington University in September. This article interesting current news. highlights the process of becoming a university. 10 Athletics 30 Just Over the Bridge First Team All-American and Wilmington University now offers degree-completion programs at athletic award recipients. Burlington County College, Cumberland County College and Salem Community College. Burlington’s Alex Demianovich was ecstatic to 18 Departments discover he could complete his bachelor’s degree in southern New Jersey.