News Release

Wilmington University to Host WDEL Live Town Hall Broadcast and the Power of WilmU Networking Event April 21

Gov. Markell to introduce "What's Next for Delaware," a live panel discussion examining the Dow-DuPont merger and Delaware's employment landscape.

On Thursday, April 21, Wilmington University was host to 101.7 FM/1150 AM WDEL radio for a live town hall event broadcast from the Doberstein Admissions Center (DAC) auditorium. 

Prior to the broadcast, alumni, students and members of the community attended "The Power of WilmU" networking event and Career Services career fair in the DAC lobby and auditorium. 

“The Power of WilmU” is Alumni Relations' annual networking event. WilmU alumni, students and the community can talk to networking resources from the University and the community in real time to gather information and develop contacts for job search and follow up.

"The Power of WilmU" invites students and alumni to learn more about the importance of networking and self-promotion," said Stefanie Whitby, Senior Director, Alumni Relations. "It offers attendees a chance to meet with leaders in the community and talk about how to build your 'elevator speech,' the power of volunteering, how to dress for success, your social media footprint, how to start your own business and the power of a well written résumé and cover letter. Attendees can pick and choose who they would like to meet with and can begin to build a database of professional contacts and mentors just by attending this one event."

A career fair, with representatives from Career Services, also took place in the DAC lobby area. Hiring companies such as PNC Bank, Sallie Mae, the State of Delaware and Bank of America were on hand for interviews and networking.  Career Services personnel were on hand for career-related questions in addition to providing résumé and interviewing help. 

The new Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and “My Dream Job” online courses was showcased at the Power of WilmU Career Fair. Developed by the Wilmington University Online and Educational Technology Department, these new online courses helped those who have not yet experienced online learning to discover what online programs are like. Those who have experienced online learning were able to see the tools and takeaways available to them through these free courses. Prior to the job fair, the TAP program was profiled in WDEL's Education Watch feature. Click here to see the story. TAP is helpful for anyone navigating through displacement and the transition to another job or new career.

Dr. Regina Allen-Sharpe, Senior Director of Career Services, said, "Career Services is dedicated to ensuring that anyone in transition is equipped with the necessary resources for a career change. Some of these resources include professional career counselors, an interactive interview tool, information on how to negotiate salaries, how to successfully network, and how to highlight skills and competencies on a résumé. It's a large part of our mission to make all of this available to our students and alumni, especially when we participate in events such at this." 

At 7:00 p.m., the WDEL town hall broadcast tackled the important question, “What’s next for Delaware?” As the imminent merger of DuPont and Dow Chemical is changing the employment landscape across Delaware, it is also costing many people their jobs. The broadcast panel discussion explored the impact of DuPont’s transition away from being the state’s premier employer, its effects on those being laid off and what the future could look like for those displaced by the merger and the next generation of job seekers. 

The town hall was hosted and moderated by WDEL veteran news anchor Peter MacArthur. Wilmington University Executive Vice President Dr. LaVerne Harmon was introduced by Peter MacArthur. Following a brief welcome, Dr. Harmon introduced Governor Markell, who provided opening remarks for the panel discussion.

The distinguished panelists were: 

Richard Heffron, President of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce 

Stacey Laing, Director, Division of Employment and Training - ‎State of Delaware-Division of Social Services

Bernice Whaley, Cabinet Secretary and Director, Delaware Department of Economic Development

Frank Ingraham, WilmU alumnus and former DuPont employee who recently lost his human resources management position as one of the 1,700 people displaced by the former chemical giant's merger with Dow Chemical.

“At WDEL and Delmarva Broadcasting Company, we're always asking ‘What can we do for Delaware?’" said Chris Carl, WDEL news and program director. "With the Dow-DuPont merger looming, we wanted to start a conversation about what’s next for the state. We also wanted to help those who are looking at life after DuPont in any way we can. We are grateful to our partners, Wilmington University and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, along with the state officials who joined us at this event. They helped to foster a good discussion and provided information to our audience that will help Delaware continue moving forward.”

Click here to listen to the podcast of the WDEL Town Hall. 

About Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution committed to providing flexible, career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Ranked as the third fastest growing doctoral institution in America 2003 – 2013 by The Almanac of The Chronicle of Higher Education, affordable tuition, academic excellence and individualized attention are hallmarks of the University that enable greater student success in their chosen careers. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit our website: www.wilmu.edu.

Published: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 - New Castle, DE