New Campus Opens in Upper Darby

A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of Delaware County Community College
Fall 2012
New Campus Opens in Upper Darby
The College celebrated the official opening of its new
Upper Darby Center on September 14. Located at 1570
Garrett Road in the Barclay Square Shopping Center, the
Upper Darby Center is comprised of seven classrooms,
a Learning/Testing Center, a student lounge and staff,
faculty and other student-centered offices. The College
invested nearly $2 million in refurbishing the facility, the
former home of the Star Technical Institute.
“Everybody will benefit from the College’s presence
here,” said Dr. Jerry Parker, the College’s president, at
the opening ceremony. Neilda Mott, vice chair of the
College’s Board of Trustees, described the Center as, “the
latest jewel in the College’s continuing effort to bring
quality, affordable education to the residents of
Delaware and Chester Counties.”
With the capacity to serve up to 1,800 students, the
Center offers day and evening classes, including courses
leading to an associate degree in Liberal Arts, Allied
Health, Communications, Business Administration, or
Education. It also offers courses in English as a Second
Language, GED and SAT Prep.
“This site in Upper Darby will go a long, long way,” said
Delaware County Councilman Mario Civera Jr. “This is
another plus.” (View Channel 6 ABC TV’s coverage of
the opening at: www.dccc.edu/upperdarby. Click on the
link under, “In the News.”) n
Shown at the ribbon-cutting ceremony are from left: Provost Virginia Carter; Shantelle Jenkins, Director of the Southeast Center; Mary Jo Boyer,
Vice Provost and Vice President, Branch Campus Operations; Dr. Jerry Parker, President; Neilda Mott, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; State
Representative Margo Davidson; Thomas Micozzie, Mayor, Upper Darby Township; Mario Civera Jr., Vice Chairman, Delaware County Council;
Jim McCann, Trustee Emeritus; and Trustee Bernice Clark-Dickerson.
Upper Darby
Township
Mayor Thomas
Micozzie
praised the
College for
locating its new
campus in the
township.
Students receive instruction from a teacher in one of the Upper Darby Center’s high-tech classrooms.
Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Mario Civera Jr.
called the Center “another plus” for Upper Darby.
Students study in the lounge at the Upper Darby Center.
Serving Delaware and Chester Counties
president’s letter
For the third year in a row, Delaware County
campus news
quick hits
Community College was honored by The
Chronicle of Higher Education, a higher educa-
Kevin Scott Joins College
Board of Trustees
tion trade publication, as one of the Great
Colleges to Work For in the nation. Out of 103
colleges recognized overall, we were one of
only two, 2-year colleges in Pennsylvania to
earn this distinction in 2012.
The Chronicle’s annual survey gathers benchmarking data within higher education and uses
this data to recognize institutions that have
built great workplaces. The survey data comes
from a random poll conducted of college and
university employees. For more information
about the survey, see http://chronicle.com/
section/Academic-Workplace/617.
The 2012 Great College to Work For distinction
continues to be an excellent benchmark that
shows we are part of a community that values the needs and contributions of every
individual, works well together toward student success and helps to make Delaware
County Community College a great place to work. This recognition helps us understand what we are doing well and where we can make improvements.
As a community, we have made progress in the past year, despite significant challenges. Recognitions such as this are very rewarding affirmations, especially in times
when our resources are constrained. They tell us that we are making progress toward
enhancing employees’ capacity to learn, their overall satisfaction and their commitment to supporting the success of our students.
I appreciate the continued patience and hard work of our dedicated faculty, administrators and staff as we adapt and improve the College for our students, community
and employees.
The College’s Board of Trustees is
proud to welcome Kevin B. Scott as its
newest member. Scott is a partner at Fox
Rothschild, LLP, and chair of the firm’s
Public Finance
Group. A longtime resident
of Delaware
County, Scott’s
practice covers
corporate law,
public finance,
infrastructure and
education with an
emphasis on health
care and higher
Trustee Kevin B. Scott
education revenue
bond financing. Scott has a law degree
from Villanova University’s School of
Law, a bachelor’s degree from Penn State
University and an associate degree from
County College of Morris. He currently
lives in the Wallingford Swathmore
School District.
Alumni Programs
Director Featured in
National Publication and
at Conference
Doug Ferguson, the College’s Director
of Alumni Programs, was featured in
the June issue of Community College
Advancement News, a publication of
the Council for Advancement and
Support of Education (CASE), a national
education association headquartered in
Washington, D.C. Ferguson discussed
how the LinkedIn alumni social network
has helped the College grow the alumni
mailing directory. He also spoke about
LinkedIn at CASE’s inaugural Conference
for Community College Advancement,
which was held October 3–5 in San
Diego, California.
Instructor Named
Communications Director for
Security Company
Jennifer Carboni, an adjunct instructor
of Communications at the College, was
recently named director of communications
and marketing for the Octorara, PA office
of Signal 88 Security, a Nebraska-based
commercial security franchise company that
serves Pennsylvania and Delaware. Signal
88 clients include the Brandywine Hospital
in Caln Township, Chester County; Chestnut
Hill Hospital in Philadelphia; and Eastern
Hospital in Northampton County.
Graphic Design Specialist Wins
Outstanding Service Award
Congratulations to Milly Colligon, a publications and graphic design specialist in the
College’s Office of Institutional Advancement, who is the 2012 recipient of the
College’s Marie Patriarca Award. The award
is given to an employee who exhibits exemplary service and professionalism. “Milly
is a priceless source of information about
the College, the staff and faculty,” wrote
one person who nominated her. “Milly is
unwavering to do the absolute best possible
work for the College. No job is too small or
too large to merit her undivided attention,”
wrote another nominator.
President Dr. Jerry Parker (left) and Marie Patriarca
(right) congratulate Milly Colligon (center) on
receiving the 2012 Marie Patriarca Award.
Jerome S. Parker
president
Student Wins Pennsylvania Credit Union Award
More Ways to Connect
Announcing the College’s Official Social
Media Pages
Want to know what’s happening on campus? Have you heard about some of the
fabulous things our alumni are doing? Now more than ever, there are more ways
to connect with the College, alumni and students. Like us on Facebook, follow
us on Twitter, watch our videos on YouTube, or connect with our Alumni Association on LinkedIn. The College’s official social media pages are listed below.
Connect online with us today!
www.facebook.com/
DelawareCounty
CommunityCollege
www.twitter.com/
delawareccc
your Connection is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement,
Delaware County Community College, Media, PA 19063
www.youtube.com/
DelawareCtyCommCol
www.linkedin.com/
groups?gid=105028&trk=
hb_side_g
Editor: Anthony Twyman
Writers: Kathleen Breslin,
Doug Ferguson, Catherine
Hamby, Daniel Kanak,
Susan Rapp, Michelle Tooker
and Anthony Twyman
Photos: Rowland Barnum,
Catherine Hamby, and Jim
McWilliams Photography
Delaware County Community College is an equal employment and educational opportunity institution conforming to all
applicable legislation that prohibits discrimination. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by state or federal laws in
its educational programs, activities, admission or employment policies, as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments
of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable statutes. Inquiries concerning Title IX and/or 504
compliance should be referred to: Betty Brown, associate dean for student success, room 2195, 610-359-5320; and/or Connie
McCalla, vice president of human resources, room 3572, 610-359-5094. TTY for the hearing impaired: 610-359-5020.
The College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education,
3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
11/12 25K
2
Congratulations to April Singleton, a Business Management and Finance major, who was
recently named the 2012 Credit Union Youth Ambassador of Pennsylvania. Singleton is an
eBusiness web account specialist at Citadel Federal Credit Union, headquartered
in Exton. As youth ambassador, Singleton,
25, of Downingtown will represent the
Pennsylvania Credit Union Association
(PCUA) at events for the next year. She
was one of 13 finalists who won regional
contests before advancing to the state
finals. A panel of five judges selected the
winner based on scores from a test, a personal interview and a speech. The annual
statewide contest was held during the
PCUA’s 78th Annual Convention and Expo
held in Pittsburgh. The PCUA conducts
Student April Singleton (center) the winner of the
the annual contest to attract young people
2012 Credit Union Youth Ambassador of Pennsylvato credit unions and to prepare them for
nia Award, next to award winner alternates Matthew
leadership roles.
Lynn (left) and Andrea Garver (right).
Award-Winning Coach Joins Men’s Basketball Team
After a dozen years as head coach of Community College of Philadelphia’s Colonials men’s
basketball team, Robert “Dondi” DeShields has joined Delaware County Community
College’s Phantoms men’s basketball team as an assistant coach alongside head coach
Dwayne “Redz” Saunders. While at CCP, DeShields led the Colonials to more than 300
wins and numerous regional and state
championships. He is a four-time winner
of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic
Association Coach of the Year award. He
joins the Phantoms after Coach Saunders,
this year, led his team to its first Eastern
Pennsylvania
Collegiate
Conference
championship in
16 years. Now,
both coaches have
their sights set on
the future as the
Phantoms move
into a different
league, the National
Junior College
Athletic Association,
New Assistant Men’s
which will provide Basketball Coach
Men’s Head Basketball Coach Dwayne “Redz”
national exposure
Robert “Dondi”
Saunders (L) shakes hands with Robert “Dondi”
DeShields
DeShields at a basketball game.
for the team.
College Celebrates 45th Anniversary
For Delaware County Community College, there is no
better way to celebrate an anniversary than to showcase
successful alumni. “History is more than a record of facts
and figures,” said College President Jerry Parker at the
45th Anniversary event held at Harrah’s Philadelphia
Casino and Racetrack on September 28. “The full story,
the real reward, can be seen in the people whose careers
we have launched, whose confidence in themselves we
have encouraged, or whose lives we have transformed.”
Honoring five alumni at the 40th and 45th anniversaries
has become a tradition since the 35th Anniversary in 2002
when 35 alumni were selected as Star Alumni. The galaxy
has now expanded to encompass 45 Stars with the
naming in 2012 of Paul Adack ’86, Karen Bogosian ’85,
Dr. Robert Boyden ’84, Dr. Louise Del Negro ’96 and
Carl Needles ’88. A biographical video of each honoree
was shown at the event and may be viewed on the College’s
alumni website. Recent graduates, known as Rising Stars,
were also honored. The stories of the Rising Stars, Johnny
Archer ’06, Esther Castillo ’06, Hiu Sin Cheung ’06 and
Dr. Catherine Porter ’97, are also on the alumni website.
Also presented on this occasion was the Wong Moss
Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes individuals who have been successful in their career, educational
achievement and community service. The 2012 recipient
was Joseph J. Oaster Jr. ’89 whose dedication to teaching
literacy in the inner city won the hearts of the selection
committee. His passion for helping others was described
by John Moss in presenting the award on behalf of his
mother, the late Barbara Moss, a former member of the
College Board of Trustees. The family award, named for
Barbara Wong Moss’ father, a Chinese immigrant who
valued education, was established to demonstrate the
value of the College to the community by highlighting
the success of our alumni.
Star Alumnus Carl Needles, Market Director, Beneficial Bank (from left) enjoys the
ambience and company of wife Laura and colleagues, Barbara Denczi, John Camero,
and Tricia and Charles Stevenson.
Dr. Louise Del Negro (right) accepts a Star
Alumni Award from Kathleen Breslin, Vice
President for Institutional Advancement.
Dr. Del Negro is Attending Physician in
Geriatrics and Family Medicine at Coatesville
Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Rising Star Awards
were presented by
Douglas Ferguson,
Director of Alumni
Programs, to Esther
Castillo (left) and
Hiu Sin Cheung,
members of the
Class of 2006 who
established Advance
College Consulting,
a company that
assists students
from abroad in
acclimating to
colleges in the
United States.
John Moss
(left) presents
the Wong
Moss Award
to Joseph J.
Oaster Jr.
Attending the event were board members, friends and
family of the honorees, past award winners, College
employees and numerous alumni. n
Law Enforcement Alumni
Teleconference on Colorado Shooting
The Alumni Association hosted a Lunch and Learn teleconference on July 31 after the tragic movie theater shooting
in Aurora, Colorado on July 20 that left 12 dead and 58 others wounded. The call featured three experienced local
law enforcement officials who spoke on the topic from an investigative, forensic and judicial perspective. The alumni
panel included: Robert Downey ’74, Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia FBI Field Office;
Dr. Robert Boyden ’84, an Executive Advisory Board Member for the International Society of Forensic Examiners; and
Judge John Bailey ’97, Magisterial District Court Judge for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and former Detective
Sergeant with the Tredyffrin Township Police Department.
The hour-long teleconference dealt with
the initial confusion of first responders
on the scene; coordination of multiple
agencies and how to stay safe in your work
and personal space; and what the average
citizen should do to maintain a sense of
“situational awareness”—an awareness of
your surroundings and other factors that
Lunch and Learn teleconference panelists Robert Downey ’74, Robert Boyden ’84 and
Judge John Bailey ’97.
could put you in danger. Downey encouraged people to create an emergency action plan and to view a public service video on YouTube that was done by the
city of Houston, Texas called, “Run. Hide. Fight. Surviving an Active Shooter Event.” To obtain a copy of the teleconference, contact the Alumni Office via e-mail at alumni@dccc.edu and provide your name and mailing address. n
Alumna-Police Officer Saves Baby’s Life Continued from cover.
White credits the College with teaching her the skills she used to save the baby’s life. She enrolled in the College’s
Municipal Police Academy when she was 35 years old, after leaving a career in corporate sales. At the College, she
learned CPR, the Heimlich maneuver and other skills. “The instructors were amazing,” White said. “I learned so much.”
Maria Morales, the baby’s mother, told the Daily Times that she and her family were rushing to the hospital when they
saw White in the patrol car. “In between the house and the hospital, I find my angel,” Morales said of White. “If it
weren’t for her, my baby would have died.” The baby is fine now.
It was not the first time White’s quick thinking saved a life. She once used CPR to help save the life of a 20-year-old
woman who had overdosed on heroin. She also once saved a choking man at a diner by administering the
Heimlich maneuver. n
Raymond G. Toto, Chair, Board of Trustees, welcomes
guests to the 45th Anniversary celebration.
New Alumni
Association
President
The Alumni Association is pleased to announce
that Linda Fox ’11 has accepted the role of president-elect for the next two academic years. Fox
came to the College as a nontraditional student
and graduated from the College’s New Choices
Career Development Program before enrolling in
classes at the College in 2009. She capped off a
successful academic career by graduating in May
2011 with an A.A. in Communication Arts. For
the last 30 plus years, she has been a contributing member of the local community where she
continues to run her own business, Linda Lane
Wallcovering in Media, which specializes in
wallpaper installation for residential
and commercial
properties.
Fox came to the
attention of the
Alumni Office for
her work with the
Sweet Future scholarship group, which
supports a Communication major with
New Alumni Association
a $500 scholarship
President Linda Fox
offered through the
College’s Educational Foundation. For more information about the Alumni Association, or
to contact Fox, please send an e-mail to
alumni@dccc.edu. n
3
in the news
Bilingual Alumna Making a
Difference in Chester
Alumna Myrna Russi ’06 believes her calling in life is to help people and she is doing
just that as coordinator (and founder) of the Hispanic Resource Center in the Community
Hospital in Chester. The hospital is part of the Crozer-Keystone Health System. Russi also
is Community Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator for Crozer-Keystone’s Women and
Children’s Health Services, which runs Healthy Start, a free program that helps decrease
infant mortality and increase prenatal care and childhood immunizations.
In April, Russi was honored by the Chester branch of the NAACP at the organization’s
102nd anniversary awards dinner. The organization annually honors people who make a
positive impact on the community.
A native of Puerto Rico who is fluent in Spanish, Russi received an associate degree in
Psychology from the College in 2006. “The College gave me the confidence to pursue my
education and pursue my career,” she said. She also is certified in Health Care and Business Management from Penn
State University and certified in Nonprofit Management from La Salle University.
Alumna Myrna Russi ‘06
“One thing about me that people know is that I’m passionate about what I do, and people sense that,” Russi said.
Whether it is using her bilingual skills to translate so that people can receive the appropriate medical services or
planning flea markets and other community events, Russi thoroughly enjoys her work. “The best thing about my job
is being able to assist people in obtaining services that they thought they couldn’t receive,” she said.
Prior to working for Crozer-Keystone, Russi worked at the Wallingford Nursing Home and at the Chester Housing
Authority. She has worked at Crozer-Keystone for 17 years. n
72-Year-Old Seeks Admission to College’s
Municipal Police Academy
Jimmy Binns, 72, an attorney who has represented famous boxing
promoter Don King and boxer Mike Tyson, has signed up to enter
the College’s Municipal Police Training Academy.
Binns told the Philadelphia Daily News he is not deterred by the fact
that he must pass a psychological test and a physical exam which
will require him to run 1.5 miles in 18.39 minutes, do 17 sit-ups in
one minute and bench-press 63 percent of his weight. “I’m going
to be 73 the week after the (physical) exam, but I’m not worried at
all. If you can pass the Philadelphia Police motorcycle school–I did
that at age 68–you can do anything,” Binns told the paper, referring
to the Philadelphia Highway Patrol’s rigorous 80-hour training. “You
remember the Rocky movie? Well, there you go.”
A former Pennsylvania Boxing Commissioner, Binns had a part in
the movie Rocky, playing himself as Rocky’s lawyer. He also raises
money to buy police officers’ gear and is behind several efforts to
recognize police and firefighters killed in the line of duty and to
help their families. Binns plans to take the test at the College soon,
and if all goes well, he hopes to start classes in January. In an interview with WHYY Radio, Binns said he does not want to be a police
officer, but is seeking more law enforcement training and a better
understanding of what officers face in their line of work. n
Alumnus Promoted
to Nurse Manager at
Local Retirement
Community
Aliaksei (Alex) Minko ’11, a native of the Republic of Belarus, is pursuing his American dream at
Paul’s Run, a Northeast Philadelphia continuous
care retirement community, where he was recently
promoted to nurse manager. A decade ago, Minko
visited America on a holiday from Belarus, a country adjacent to Russia. But something happened
that made him want to stay–he met his wife here.
“I loved it in America, and when I met the love of
my life, I knew this would be my new home,” he
told At Liberty, a publication of Liberty Lutheran, a
social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which owns and manages Paul’s Run and other retirement communities.
After arriving in America and working a variety of
jobs, a friend suggested he consider working in a
nursing home. Eventually, Minko, whose mother is
a pediatrician and whose father is a family doctor,
obtained a nursing assistant certificate. He later
completed his Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
degree at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology in
Willow Grove.
In 2008, he worked as an LPN for a local nursing
home and did weekend shifts as a pool nurse at
Artman Lutheran Home, a Liberty Lutheran community in Ambler. When an LPN-post opened at
Paul’s Run in 2009, he applied and got the job.
But he also continued to pursue an Associate in
Applied Science degree and state licensure as a
Registered Nurse (RN) on weekends at Delaware
County Community College, from which he graduated in 2011. “I had a dream to get my registered
nurse degree for a while,” he said, adding that he
appreciated the College’s weekend classes which
allowed him to keep working full time.
This past year, Minko received his certification in
wound care. Now, he is planning to go back to
school again. “I would like to get a B.A. or Master’s
in Nursing,” he said of his future aspirations,
adding that he eventually would like to become
a director or assistant director of nursing. n
Jimmy Binns at the 2011 Memorial Day Parade in
Margate, N.J.
Campus Renovations
The College is transforming through a variety of construction projects including the following:
Marple Campus
• As part of an $8 million project, the College is
creating a Learning Commons that blends the latest
in technology with academic support services. The
Commons, which replaces the Library, has resulted in
major renovations to Founder’s Hall. The first phase of
construction was completed for the start of fall classes.
The second phase of construction is expected to be
completed in January 2013.
• The College also is renovating the Large Auditorium,
which was originally built in the early 1970s. Construction is expected to be completed this year. Improvements will include a new sound and lighting system,
new seating, and an expanded and improved stage.
• Improvements also include a $1.3 million electrical
system upgrade, the installation on two new stairways
and the resurfacing of two student parking lots. The
College also renovated a bank of faculty spaces and the
many common area spaces in the Academic Building.
Exton Center
• During the summer, the College completely renovated
its Exton Center. The new Exton Center features an
expanded Learning Center, new faculty offices, an enhanced student lounge and student gathering spaces,
as well as updated and expanded restrooms, electrical
and lighting system upgrades, and improvements to
the heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Upper Darby Center
• On July 1, 2012, the College opened its new Upper
Darby Center, and an official opening ceremony was
held on September 14. Located at 1570 Garrett Road,
the Center is comprised of seven classrooms, a
Learning/Testing Center, a student lounge and staff,
faculty and other student-centered offices.
(See story and photos on page 1).
Alumnus Aliaksei (Alex) Minko ‘11
4
alumni awards and accolades
The Arts and Delaware County
Community College
Alumna Opens Art Gallery and Studio in Newtown Square
Blink and you might miss alumna Ana Delia McCormack’s new gallery and studio near the corner of Route 252 and
West Chester Pike in Newtown Square. But once inside, there is no missing the vibrant colors of McCormack’s paintings or the warm, friendly greeting she gives to guests who visit her studio.
Born in Venezuela, McCormack has been a professional artist for 12 years and has taught private classes for eight
years. In November 2011, she opened ADM Gallery and Studio, so named because of her initials. She teaches
beginners and fellow artists. Some of her paintings are on display in the gallery, which is located in a very small
shopping center, across the street and down the road from Hill’s Quality Seafood Markets on West Chester Pike.
McCormack’s passion is painting flowers with oils. She uses warm colors and adds her own Latin flair to the
Chiaroscuro style of the old masters. She has been painting since she was 15 years old, but became serious about it
after having her second child. That is when she
enrolled in Delaware County Community
College, where she took drawing and design
classes and received a degree in Graphic Design.
“I did not go into graphic design,” she said. “I
was more into the arts than graphic design.” But
she credits the College for helping her better
understand art. She also has a degree in Information Systems from Saint Joseph’s University,
where she met her husband.
McCormack has displayed her paintings in
major shows throughout Delaware County and
has won several prizes. It is through these shows
that she developed a following, which prompted
her to start offering art lessons in her home,
which eventually blossomed into her opening
Ana Delia McCormack, second from left, with students and friends at ADM Gallery
and Studio.
her studio. ADM Studio is located at 3719 West
Chester Pike. Classes are $20 per class and are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Studio time is included in the price. For more information, call 610-291-0768, or
email AnaMcCormack@verizon.net. n
Alumni Artists Showcase Winners
Congratulations to William “Papi” Houpt ’76 (left) whose
piece, “A Warm Touch Means So Much,” was named the
Best in Show entry for the 2012 Alumni Artists Showcase.
First runner-up honors went to Jason Springer ’97 (center)
for his ceramic piece, “Untitled Naked Raku.” Solomen
Flewellen ’03 (right) received second runner-up honors
for his photograph, “Winter Dreams.” The Alumni Artists
Showcase was held June 6–28 in the Gallery in the
Academic Building at the College’s Marple Campus. n
Art Instructor Jeremy McGirl
Featured in West Chester
Life Magazine
Instructor Joseph Ovelman
Reviewed in Sculpture
Magazine
Jeremy McGirl, an adjunct faculty member in the College’s Art
Department, was featured in a six-page spread in the Spring/
Summer 2012 issue of West Chester Life titled, “Moments in
Time: West Chester Artist Jeremy McGirl Expresses How
Memories Lie and Nature Constantly Changes.”
Joseph Ovelman, an adjunct instructor in Communications, Arts and Humanities, had his “Coming Home”
sculpture exhibition reviewed in the June 2012 issue of
Sculpture Magazine.
“The flicker of a bird’s wing. The way the sun slants through
tree branches in a childhood memory. The faces in a fading
snapshot. For Jeremy McGirl, these moments in time are
something to be caught, turned into art and revealed as the
imperfect, beautiful fragments that they are,” writes West
Chester Life staff writer John Chambless. The article also
features some of McGirl’s paintings, including a sketch of a
bird done on tissue-thin paper, “a reminder of the fleeting
nature of a bird’s movements.”
McGirl, who lives in West Chester and has an art studio in
his basement filled with his small paintings and drawings and
works-in-progress, teaches three introductory Art courses at the
College. To view the full magazine review of McGirl’s art visit:
www.westchesterlifemagazine.com/magazines/westchesterlifespring12/index.html. n
“The sly secrets of these layered constructions are to be
savored slowly as bits of fabric, leather, and wood yield
clues. Once belonging to a beloved grandmother, these
remnants offer a fresh twist on recycling, imparting
tenderness and humanity to store-bought materials,”
writes reviewer Sarah Tanguy of one piece in
Ovelman’s exhibition.
Tanguy sums up the entire Coming Home exhibition with
an elaborate comparison: “Like Italy’s city-states during
the Renaissance, each sculpture in Coming Home stands
its ground, with a distinct character and look, though
bonded by an allegiance to the entire body.” To view
Tanguy’s entire review, visit: www.sculpture.org/
documents/scmag12/jun_12/jun12_reviews.shtml. n
More Alumni
Awards &
Accolades
•Alice Bowman ’90 continues to
be a steadfast volunteer at the
Main Line Art Center in Haverford,
Pennsylvania.
• Claire Conaway ’09 graduated with
a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
from Wilmington University and
has begun her coursework towards
a Master of Science in Nursing for
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners at
Drexel University.
•Vincent D’Agostino ’08 married
Monica Sockwell ’03 on June 30,
2012 in Drexel Hill. The couple
took their honeymoon in Las Vegas,
Nevada. They were pleased to have
so many family and friends share
in their special day. The bride is the
daughter of William and Phyllis
Sockwell ’69, who were thrilled
to see their daughter walk down
the aisle.
• Shannon Kelly ’05 was a guest star
on the new Fox television celebrity
dating show, “The Choice,” in June,
as she tried to win a date with singer
Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers band.
•Amy McGrory ‘12 received a
scholarship from Freedom Village,
a continuing care retirement
community in West Brandywine,
where she has worked in the
skilled nursing facility’s hospitality
department since 2005. McGrory,
who took courses in Resources
Management at the College, plans
to attend West Chester University to
complete a Bachelor of Science in
Professional Studies. She then plans
to earn a Master’s Degree in Public
Administration.
• Donald Molineux ’01, a police
officer with the Tredyffrin Township
Police Department, was named
the 2012 Officer of the Year in a
ceremony earlier this year.
•Matthew Sondermann ’11 is a fulltime student at Drexel University,
studying engineering technology.
The medically retired U.S. Marine
Corps sergeant hopes to pursue
a career in green technology.
Sondermann spent two tours in Iraq
and one in Afghanistan, where he
was severely injured in a roadside
bomb explosion. After extensive
rehabilitation, he is now able to
compete in athletic events. In August,
Angela Glass Nelson of Chester City,
donated her late father Bishop Curtis
W. Glass’ golf clubs to Sondermann
during a ceremony at the County
Courthouse in Media. “As a small
token, I hope and pray that dad’s
gift will bring a ‘ray of sunshine’
to your day,” Nelson said in a letter
to Sondermann, thanking him for
his service.
5
advancement news
Recent Grant
Awards
New and renewed public and private grant awards have been
made to the College for 2012-2013, totaling more than $2.3
million. These funds support the delivery of education and
training to current and incoming students, assist members
of the community seeking counseling and job readiness
services, provide adult literacy services in Delaware and
Chester Counties, and strengthen the region’s workforce with
advanced training and certifications.
State Representative Joseph T. Hackett
Attends New Choices Graduation
New Choices is a free program that helps individuals make career, educational and personal changes
successfully. The program provides individual and group support, career planning workshops, employer
contacts, networking opportunities, résumé writing, and interviewing techniques, as well as basic
computer skills. The goal is to assist participants in reaching economic independence by finding and
retaining employment and/or training. Workshops are offered throughout the year. For more information,
call 610-359-5232 or visit www.dccc.edu/newchoices. n
• Act 101 is a state-funded program that provides supportive, remedial services to Pennsylvania residents who have
academic deficits and need financial assistance to become
ready for college-level courses. The program offers counseling, tutoring, and a summer bridge program to help in the
transition to college life.
• The Adult Literacy program, supported by the Pennsylvania
Department of Education, is a longtime service at the College that provides training in both Chester and Delaware
Counties to adults seeking to improve their literacy and
earn a GED. The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
also awarded continuation funding to the College’s Adult
Literacy services to expand access to under-served adults in
the community.
• Funding from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Improvement Act, which is administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education, has been awarded
to provide professional tutors to students in career and
technical programs, retention specialists and employment
specialists to assist students in completing their programs
and obtaining jobs, the purchase of equipment and instructional materials to support high-demand occupational
programs, and activities to strengthen recruitment and
retention of students in non-traditional programs.
• The New Choices Career Development Program has
provided vital career re-entry services to single parents and
displaced homemakers since 1982. Funded in part by the
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, the New
Choices program is supported with year two funding of a
three-year grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts to extend
the program to additional clients. Funded through The Pew
Fund for Health and Human Services in Philadelphia, New
Choices has received uninterrupted funding since 1999. The Delaware County Department of Human Services also
has provided a grant to the New Choices program to provide workshops and activities to educate program participants on issues related to drug and alcohol abuse.
The spring New Choices class at the College recently celebrated their graduation with State Representative Joseph T. Hackett.
Pictured with Representative Hackett are, from left, prior New Choices graduates Wendi Jones of Havertown, Dianna Armstrong of
Newtown Square, New Choices Director Sandy Gera, and Suzette Stoute of Media.
Lou Scott Golf Classic
Teeing off under sunny skies, the 12th Annual Lou Scott Golf Classic got underway on June 5 at
The Golf Course in Glen Mills. Among the 100 golfers were friends of Lou Scott, members of the
Educational Foundation Board of Directors, as well as friends and vendors of the College. The event
honors Lou Scott, former principal of Penncrest High School and former assistant to the president at
Delaware County Community College. As a memorial tribute, his
wife, Mary, established the scholarship at the time of his death
in 2000 to benefit Penncrest high school students attending the
College. Because of the broad participation in the event, the
scholarships have been shared with all high school graduates
attending the College. To date, $168,000 has been raised and
56 scholarships have been awarded. n
• Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) funded by the
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and now in its
ninth year, is open to community college students who receive TANF and SNAP funding from the State. Students may
be full- or part-time. The goal of the program is to provide
supportive services to strengthen retention and completion,
so that graduates may reach their career goals and obtain
meaningful, self-sustaining employment.
• The College’s year two participation in the three-year
Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College & Career
Training grant (TAACCCT) is part of a statewide initiative
involving all fourteen Pennsylvania community colleges. Delaware County Community College’s focus is to
provide short-term, non-credit career training in the areas
of advanced manufacturing, green technology, and health
information technology.
• Workforce Investment Act funding, awarded through the
Delaware County Office of Workforce Development, is
used to provide client assessment workshops and services at the two Delaware County PA CareerLink sites
(one located in the city of Chester and one located in the
Workforce Entry Center at the College’s Marple Campus).
A second grant provides basic computer instruction to PA
CareerLink clients and helps them learn how to access
information leading to employment and training through
the PA CareerLink system.
6
Members of the College
family participating in the
annual event are (left to right)
James Flick (College Solicitor), Wayne Horn (Shipping),
Jeb Bryan (Grounds) and Jim
Bryan (formerly of Human
Resources).
Accepting the top prize
from Title Sponsor David
M. Banet (center) are (left
to right) Steve Erickson,
College Assistant Professor
Dr. Joseph P. Myers,
Tom Kennish and
Rob Anderson.
Dr. Laird Warner (foreground), former
superintendent of the Rose Tree Media
School District, qualified as the finalist in
the $5,000 putting contest. But once again,
the final 60-foot putt proved too challenging and the prize went un-awarded.
Shipyard Program Graduation
Sheriff’s Annual 5K Walk/Run
The 7th Annual Sheriff’s Reserve Unit 5K Walk/Run, Car Show and Flea
Market was held on June 10 at the College. Established in 2008 by Delaware
County Sheriff Joseph McGinn, a 1975 graduate of the College and a former
faculty member, the event included food, law enforcement demonstrations,
the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and prizes.
Proceeds benefit scholarships for
Delaware County youth, including
$5,000 each year toward scholarships
for students in the College’s Emergency
Management and Planning programs. n
Photos (2) by Michael Mealey.
The College offers, in partnership with neighboring community colleges, a program at the Philadelphia Naval
Shipyard in South Philadelphia that trains students to make propellers for U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. The
four-year program recently held a graduation ceremony. Pictured are from left Karen Kozachyn, the College’s
dean of Workforce Development and Community Education, Walt Youngheim, director of the Naval Foundry
and Propeller Center, shipyard program graduate Matthew Schneider and College President Dr. Jerry Parker.
A colorful car that was part of the car show.
GED Program Graduation
Twenty-eight students in the Post-Secondary and Adult Education (formerly known as
Adult Basic and Literacy Education, or ABLE) program recently graduated from the
College’s General Educational Development (GED) program. Held annually, the College’s GED graduation ceremony gives students the opportunity to be recognized and
commended for their hard work and dedication.
Along with family and friends, students listened as keynote speaker Therese Norton of
Avondale spoke of her experiences after graduating from the GED program in 2011.
Norton is now a student at the College earning an Associate of Art degree.
Current graduates Joshua Grant of Essington and
Fawna Williams of Downingtown also spoke about
the importance of obtaining a GED and how they
hope it will impact their future. In program year
2011-12, more than 70 Delaware County Community College students obtained their GED certificates thanks to this free program, which is funded
by a federal grant issued by the Pennsylvania
Department of Education and ABLE.
The program is open to residents at least 18 years of
age who have not gone through traditional primary
and secondary education. GED classes, taught in
a classroom setting, cover Social Studies, Science,
Literature, Writing and Math. Students also have access to a career counselor, who provides guidance
and recommendations. For more information, call
Jody Harman at 484-237-6244. n
Two runners cool off
compliments of water from a
Broomall Fire Co. fire hose.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
November 15–30
Foundations Student Exhibition
December 2 Grand Opening of newly renovated Large Auditorium,
with violinist David Kim (Concertmaster, The Philadelphia Orchestra)
and Jeffrey DeVault, piano
December 7
Last day to register for online winter session
December 11, 2012–January 4, 2013
Photography Student Exhibition
December 10, 2012–January 11, 2013
December 16
Online winter session classes
High-Definition SpectiCast Performance of
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera
January 9
January 14
Last day for spring registration
Spring and first accelerated session classes begin
In Memoriam
Robert Cutler, a former assistant dean of Student Life, who held many positions at
the College, including former associate professor of Physical Education, director of
Athletics and Student Activities, and Intramural Director, Aug. 26, 2012.
Joshua Grant of Essington spoke to fellow
graduates about the impact earning a
GED can have on their future.
Timothy J. Larkin ’11, May 28, 2012.
Rebecca Ann Lelar ’08, July 1, 2012.
John J. McCullough Jr. ’96, August 18, 2012.
Pathways to Success
The College was host in September to “Pathways to Success,” a free event sponsored
by the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. The event, held in the College’s
STEM Center from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., was designed to help work-authorized immigrants, who were educated outside the United States, to understand the path to a
professional career in this country. The Center is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that
provides services, such as legal advice, job search assistance, job training referrals and
English as a Second Language classes to immigrants. n
William Robinson “Rob” McIlvaine Jr., English and Mass Media instructor,
July 17, 2012.
John Barry Patterson, worked for eight years in the College’s Budget Department,
August 30, 2012.
Rosemary Powers, English instructor, July 30, 2012.
Wilburt W. Wiley, professor of Engineering and Technologies, July 29, 2012.
Thomas A. Wines ’80, July 11, 2012.
THE SPEAKERS BUREAU OF
DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Speakers Bureau of Delaware County Community College was established in 1973 as a FREE public service to assist area organizations
and groups by providing informative, useful and thought-provoking presentations in Delaware and Chester Counties by faculty and staff.
Speakers offer a variety of topics, ranging from “The Urge to Perfection: Unblocking Writers, Painters, Filmmakers and Other Creative People”;
“National Debt and Its Effect on the Economy”; “Social Security and Its Future”; “Panoramic Photography”; and “The Birth of Bebop.” To see
the full list of topics, visit www.dccc.edu/speakersbureau. Please call 610-359-5134 for more information or to schedule a presentation.
7
page 2
Please recycle.
Calendar of
Upcoming Events
Advancement News
Alumni Awards and
Accolades
In the News
page 7
page 6
page 5
page 4
page 3
College Celebrates
45th Anniversary
Law Enforcement
Teleconference
New Alumni Association
President
President’s Letter
Campus News
page 1
New Campus Opens in
Upper Darby
Change service requested
Serving Delaware and Chester Counties
901 South Media Line Road
Media, PA 19063-1094
www.dccc.edu
Violinist David Kim
Each year, the College offers exciting
opportunities to experience the arts.
The New Music concert series begins its
fourth season with an impressive lineup of
contemporary performances. Don’t miss
these incredible opportunities to explore
music in ways you may not have heard
before. For more information, visit
www.dccc.edu/the-arts. n
Jeffrey DeVault, a Delaware County Community College faculty member,
will accompany Kim on the piano. The reception will be at 2 p.m.,
followed by the performance at 3 p.m. The performance is open to the
public and will be held in the Large Auditorium, located in the Academic
Building on the Marple Campus, 901 S. Media Line Road, Media, PA.
Online ticket reservations are required in order to purchase tickets at the door.
Tickets: $25 Adults; $15 Seniors; $15 Students (with current student I.D.).
The ticket table will open two hours before the performance.
Seating is on a first-come first-served basis. For more
information, see: www.dccc.edu/davidkim.
Violinist David Kim, Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra, headlines
the grand opening of the College’s newly renovated Large Auditorium at
3 p.m., Sunday, December 2. Kim, who began playing the violin at the age
of three, became Concertmaster in 1999 and has performed with numerous
orchestras around the world. He is an artist-in-residence at Eastern
University and regularly presents masterclasses at various schools and
institutions, including Juilliard, Yale and the Korean National University
of the Arts. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Juilliard.
Concert Celebrates Opening of
Newly Renovated Auditorium
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Media, PA
Permit No. 247
Chester Housing Authority Officer
Jacqueline White ‘01 receives a
proclamation from Chester Mayor
John Linder, as Maria Morales,
mother of the baby White saved,
looks on in appreciation.
“He was blue and his head was hanging. It was terrible,” White said,
recalling the emergency in which the baby choked on his vomit and
stopped breathing.
But little did she know that minutes later her training would be put to
the ultimate test. As soon as White approached the car, little 6-weekold Luis Morales was thrust out the car window and the baby’s family
screamed that he had stopped breathing. On 6th and Kirlin streets in
Chester, shortly after 10 p.m. on a Friday night in June, White got down
on the ground and began to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR).
At first, when the car pulled up erratically beside her, Chester Housing
Authority police officer Jacqueline White thought the driver was trying
to ram her patrol car. “I was kind of angry at first,” said White, a 2001
Dean’s List graduate of the College’s Municipal Police Academy.
Fall 2012
Continued on page 3.
Now, this grandmother and mother of three children, is in the news.
The story of her saving baby Luis’ life was featured on Channel 6 Action
News, in the Daily Times of Delaware
County and on Spanish television. In
appreciation for her quick thinking,
Chester City Council and Chester
Mayor John Linder, a former professor of Public Service and Social
Sciences at the College, presented a
proclamation of outstanding civilian service to White in June during a
ceremony at Chester City Hall.
After giving the baby two breaths, she continued CPR until she heard a
gurgling sound, then she turned the baby over and gave him a couple
of brushes on the back. The choking stopped–but so did the baby’s
breathing. Fearing the worst, she kept administering CPR chest compressions. Finally, the baby let out a cry. “It was the best sound I’ve
heard since my kids were born,” White said.
Quick-Thinking Alumna-Police
Officer Saves Baby’s Life
A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of Delaware County Community College