News Release
Contact
Nicole S. Rowe
Administrative Assistant,
Public Relations
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720
nicole.s.rowe@wilmu.edu
Wilmington University Wraps Up 40th Year With Celebration
The Wilmington University faculty and staff took a stroll down memory lane today as they watched the University’s 40th year draw to a close. The faculty and staff buried a time capsule, watched a movie commemorating the 40th year and reminisced on the institution’s growth at the celebration that was held at the New Castle campus. This event, along with the recent Delaware State Senate resolution honoring the University’s 40 years of excellence, will officially mark the end of Wilmington University’s 40th year.
“We are here today to celebrate 40 years of outstanding education and service,” said Dr. Thomas Cupples, Assistant Vice President in the Office of the President, as he welcomed the crowd, “These are our first 40 years but we hope to continue to do our best for many years to come.” Dr. Cupples went on to acknowledge the many events that were planned in honor of the 40th year including the 40 community events (organized by Student Affairs), the 40 turkey donations (organized by the Human Resources Department) and the 40 fun Fridays (organized by the Site Directors). He went on to thank the Alumni Relations Department, University Relations, the Time Capsule committee and the 40th anniversary committee for making this year a success.
Wilmington University president, Dr. Jack P. Varsalona, then lead the crowd out towards the Peoples Library building where a time capsule was to be buried. The small, silver capsule included contents like photo albums, advertisements, press releases, student planners, an athletics box, Wilmington University memorabilia and more. The capsule also contained a DVD entitled ‘Personal Reflections’, which included heartfelt and funny reflections on Wilmington University through the years by the faculty and staff.
“I would first like to thank a special person who helped shape this University into the successful institution that we have here today,” said Dr. Varsalona, “And that is Dr. Audrey Doberstein, former president of Wilmington University and certainly one of my mentors. Secondly I would like to thank all of you for your dedication to our students, alumni and the University mission. You have touch the lives of thousands and that is something you should be very proud of. Lastly, I would like to say that I hope when people remove this time capsule 50 years from now, that Wilmington University will still be an institution where the student comes first, and continue to be committed to academic excellence.”
Wilmington University began as a small college with a charter class of 194 students in 1968. It has since grown to serve a student body of approximately 11,500 students at eleven sites located throughout Delaware and southern New Jersey.
See more pictures from this event by visiting the University Relations multimedia gallery.
