Page 14 - WilmU - Spring 2017

THE NEWS
“THE ARCH
For having the courage, pioneering spirit
and understanding to enter this campus on
September 22, 1968.”
—Donald E. Ross, President of Wilmington College, 1968 –1977
Those words, along with the names of the 147-member charter class of Wilmington College, were engraved on a plaque that graced a 20-by-30-foot granite arch that stood at the original entrance on Route 13 at the New Castle campus. It was a beacon of hope and opportunity.
Chartered by the State of Delaware on Dec. 27, 1967, Wilmington College was founded on a revolutionary and unproven concept. It would offer open access to all students, particularly those who lacked the financial means to afford costly tuition. The college became a university in 2007 and now serves more than 21,000 students. It has never wavered from its original mission.
Last year, when the New Castle campus underwent a beautification project that included the installation of masonry columns and ornamental fencing, the arch was removed. It was recently relocated to the center of the campus.
“No one could see it before,” says
Wilmington University President Dr.
Jack Varsalona. “The traffic got so bad and so fast on Route 13 that people couldn’t notice it. They were essentially coming in at a 90-degree angle, so unless they were stopped at the light or backed up, they missed it.”
Moving the arch was a considerable undertaking, but it wasn’t just about preserving the fine structure. The President wanted to honor the students whose names graced the plaque.
“When those students came here, they took a big chance,” he says. “You don’t get accredited until you graduate a class. We wanted to honor those alumni and all who followed. We also wanted to make sure that this arch was put in a place where it could be seen by both walking and car traffic. Now, when you come to the campus, you see it right away.”
Some alumni from that first class are still in the area. One often drives in from Washington D.C., just to see the plaque, says Dr. Varsalona. “And she noticed that both the plaque and the arch were gone for a while.”
Recently, she noticed, quite proudly, that they’re back. It’s likely, though, that she drives the distance not to see her name in print, but rather to celebrate a place that gave her and her colleagues a chance — when no one else would. WU —Maria Hess
Fun facts compiled by University Relations
. . . QUALIFYING HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND SENIORS CAN TAKE UP TO TWO WILMU COLLEGE-LEVEL COURSES
PER SCHOOL YEAR FOR JUST $96 PER THREE-CREDIT COURSE?
The Early College Credit Program offers 30+ courses that are widely transferable to colleges and universities across the country.
. . . WILMU’S CAREER SERVICES DEPARTMENT WORKS WITH THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (CIA) TO EXPLORE PROGRAM, INTERNSHIP AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS?
CIA reps hold two information sessions per year to
meet students, review résumés and discuss
the application process. And the CIA hires from almost every major, not just Criminal Justice.
. . . FACEBOOK IS STILL TOPS, WITH AN UPTICK FOR SNAPCHAT?
The percentage of students using SNAPCHAT has doubled from 22 percent to 44 percent since 2014.
. . . IN SEPTEMBER, WILMU FACULTY
AND STAFF DONATED MORE THEN 200 BACKPACKS AND HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO CHILDREN IN NEED?
In November, the FOOD BANK OF DELAWARE received more than 2,000 lbs. of food items from the WilmU community.
12 WilmU magazine
DID YOU KNOW?...