introducing the student affairs department - Wilmington University

California
Dreaming
Jamie Varsalona was a bundle of emotions
as she watched all her belongings shoved into
the back of a rental truck bound for Sherman
Oaks, Calif.
Just three days after graduating from Wilmington
University with her bachelor's degree
in Media Design with a concentration in Photography,
Varsalona was preparing to start the next chapter of her life: moving
into a studio apartment outside of Los Angeles and pursuing her dream of
becoming a professional photographer.
“When I first got out here, the only thing on my mind was getting a job,”
says Varsalona, a native of Newark, Del. “Before I moved, I contacted Brad
Buckman, a professional photographer in the area. I asked if he had any job
openings at his studio or whether he would give me the opportunity to just
meet him.”
A few weeks later, she was contacted by his office and eventually landed the
position of studio manager at his Hollywood studio.
“I answer the phones, handle the money and assist with all the photo shoots,”
says Varsalona, who is enjoying her new line of work.
Being thrust into the real world and far away from friends and family, Varsalona
has had to readjust to her new life.
“I still can't figure out these highways,” she laughs, “but I love it here. I have
been making friends and doing some freelance photography.”
The experiences and people Varsalona met while at Wilmington University
have been extremely helpful on her journey out west.
“As a student, I really enjoyed meeting people, getting to know them and
learning from them,” recalls Varsalona. “Peers, teachers, guest speakers and
more – they have all prepared me for the real world. They also taught me the
right things to ask and look for and gave me a great business sense.”
In the future, Varsalona hopes to do more freelance photography and one day
own her own studio.
“Within a year, I have set a goal to start doing more lifestyle and commercial
photography,” says Varsalona. “I am more than I ever thought I would be, and
impressed with how far I have come since graduation – and hopefully how far
I will go.”
Jessica Sterling
ON THe SCENE
“I’m very excited and grateful
to be graduating today.
I originally intended on
just getting my associate’s
degree, but four years later,
I am honored to be getting
my bachelor’s degree. I
hope to be able to use it to
earn a job in the field of design.”
—Caleb Guertin, Bachelor of Science in
Media Design concentrating in Multimedia
and Print (New Castle)
“I’m so happy to be graduating
from Wilmington University. The
knowledge and experience I
have gained have been so useful
to me in my everyday job!”
—Penelope Heras, Bachelor
of Science in Business Management
(Georgetown)
“I am one of the first people
in my family to get a master’s
degree, so I am setting a
precedent for my family and
for my two children. Today, I
am walking for my children,
showing them that if you keep going and persevere,
you can accomplish a lot of things.”
—Ivory L. Dewitt Jr., Master of Business
Administration (New Castle)
“This is a huge accomplishment
in my life. I’m very glad
for the opportunities and the
mentorship here at Wilmington
University and I’m very excited
to take the next step and
begin my master’s degree here in the fall.”
—Rebecca Byrne, Bachelor of Science in
Nursing (New Castle)
“Earning my degree from
Wilmington University has
really given me the skills
for the counseling program
I work in, the skills to
be able to talk to the
students and guide them
through their educational and occupational
pathways.”
—Celeste Cassidy, Master of Education in
School Counseling (New Castle)
spring/summer 2008 15