News Release

Wilmington University Hosts Open House and Ribbon Cutting at New Middletown Site

Friday, January 09, 2009 - Middletown, DE

Three days before classes are set to begin at their new Middletown site, Wilmington University hosted an Open House and Ribbon Cutting last night to officially open the site to the public. State representatives, city councilmen, the University cabinet, deans, program coordinators, faculty, staff and reporters were invited to the event held at the site located on 651 N. Broad street in Middletown.

Dr. Pete Bailey, Assistant Vice President of Administrative Affairs at Wilmington University welcomed the guests saying, “I would like to thank you all for coming to this event. Without the support of everyone in this room, our Middletown site would not have been possible.” Dr. Bailey went on to introduce Dr. Betty Caffo, Vice President and Provost of Wilmington University.

“Three years ago President Jack Varsalona, who could not be here tonight, began thinking about offering educational opportunities to students in the Middletown and Odessa area,” said Dr. Caffo, “After setting up a committee led by Dr. Pete Bailey we soon realized that Middletown was a prime location and began offering evening classes at the Middletown High School.” Dr. Caffo said the venture was successful and so the committee began thinking of a more permanent location. When the University learned of space available in the same building as Appoquinimink Public Library they took the opportunity.

The new Middletown site has three classrooms all equipped with state of the art wireless technology and multimedia capabilities. Students can choose from three undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, an accelerated degree completion in Organizational Dynamics, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Government and Public Policy or two graduate degrees: a Master of Business Administration or courses leading to a Master of Education degree. All courses are offered in hybrid format meaning half of the course time is spent online and the other half is spent in the classroom.

“We are launching a new program at the Middletown site known as Government and Public Policy,” said Dr. Caffo, “This program is in response to a need for such a degree in the area. We decided to introduce the degree after getting numerous inquiries into whether such a degree existed.”

Dr. Caffo invited several prominent local figures to help in the ribbon cutting. Mark Kleinschmidt, President of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, Allen Kyle of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, Andy Malinosky, Ambassador of the Middletown Chamber, State Representative Quinn Johnson, Karl Kalbacher Director of Redevelopment at New Castle County, Dr. Pete Bailey and Dr. Jim Coakley, Vice President and Chief Financial Office at Wilmington University and Melanie Baldwin, Site Director of the Wilson Graduate Center at Wilmington University gathered round a giant pair of scissors.

Kyle Kalbacher, Director of Redevelopment at New Castle County then presented Wilmington University with a tribute on behalf of New Castle County Executive Chris Coons. “In these economic times people go back to school,” said Kahlbacher, “Having a University open a new site in this area is something I think a lot of people really needed. I would like to present this tribute to Wilmington University and congratulate them on their new Middletown site.” Allen Kyle of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce also presented a certificate to Wilmington University and took time to recognize their efforts in the community.

Once the ribbon cutting was complete Dr. Caffo recognized and thanked Jason Faulkner Town of Middletown Councilman and Councilman Robert McGhee. “I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Pete Bailey for his tireless efforts in setting up this new Middletown site,” said Dr. Caffo, “With his leadership and the help of the University faculty and staff we have been able to accomplish what we set out to achieve.”

“So far the new location has been garnering a lot of interest,” said Dr. Bailey, “We have had people come up to our office during the day to ask questions. People have been calling and registering online and we received an impressive turnout at all three of the information sessions we held. We are hoping to continue to attract new students as the semester goes on.”

Classes at Wilmington University’s Middletown site begin January 12. For more information or to register online visit www.wilmu.edu/middletown or call 1-877-967-5464.

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