georgetown student volunteers in new orleans - College of Arts and ...

SOUTHERN DELAWARE CONVOCATION: MAY 25, 2011The students of Southern Delawarehad a beautiful evening for their convocationon Wednesday evening, May25th.University of Delaware students, facultyand staff, and their families convergedon the Crystal Ballroom of theMilford Senior Center at 7:00 for theceremony. Dean George Watson, fromthe College of Arts and Sciences, gavethe opening remarks, congratulating thestudents and welcoming them to theranks of University of Delaware alumniall over the world. Dean Watson wasjoined by Dean Robin Morgan of theCollege of Agricultural and NaturalResources and Dean Robert Hampel ofthe College of Education and HumanDevelopment, who all came from theNewark campus to recognize graduatesfrom their colleges. As State SenatorGary Simpson called each student’sname, that student walked across thestage to receive a diploma and to take apicture. The evening was filled withsmiles and tears and applause for all ofthe hard work, accomplishments, andmemories.In closing, Dean Robert Hampelreminded students that, though theywere only University of Delaware studentsfor a few years, they would beBlue Hens for life. He noted that theword education comes from the Latinword educare which means “to leadforth” and he challenged each student todo just that as they began this newchapter of their lives.Top: USTAA ETE students celebrate at convocationMiddle left: Dr. George H. Watson, Dean of Collegeof Arts & SciencesMiddle right: Dr. Watson handing student FrankFitzgerald his diplomaBottom left: Dr. Robin W. Morgan, Dean of Collegeof Agriculture & Natural Resources, with studentMeredith Dempsey and Dr. WatsonBottom right (top): From left, Robert A. Fischer, Jr.,UD Board of Trustees; Dr. Sharon S. Tucker, UDACFaculty Coordinator, Dover; Dr. J. Richard Bacon,UDAC Faculty Coordinator, Georgetown; Dr. LaurieA. Palmer, Director, Southern Delaware ETEProgramBottom right (bottom): From left, studentsStephanie Keller, Cassy Galon, and Whitley Maddoxare all smiles.3June 2011

Volunteers in New OrleansContinued from page 1UDaB offered, Connor said that it was hermemory of Hurricane Katrina news coveragethat decided her. “I remembered where I waswhen it happened. The only thing I still didnot know is how it was still hurting the peopleof New Orleans today,” she said. “The communitydown there has been forgotten by somany people.”Connor said that when she told her friendsand family that she was going to New Orleansto help, they were surprised; most people, shesaid, don’t believe there is still any need forassistance in the city.However, she said, upon her team’s arrival inNew Orleans, the hurricane’s devastatingimpact was still painfully evident. “The effectsof Katrina were everywhere you looked,” shesaid. “From a deserted Six Flags to cars andboats still in trees, everything screamed thatcivilization had been destroyed there. Housesstill contain the X’s on the windows claiminghow many were dead inside the home, andmost buildings have not been touched in sixyears.”The UD students were housed in a buildingowned by the National Relief Network, anational organization that coordinates volunteerservices in state- and federally declareddisaster areas.Connor was especially affected by the storyof Robert Green, a New Orleans resident sheencountered who received a new homethrough the Make It Right foundation. Green,who had been unable to evacuate due his elderlymother’s health, had to move his family,including his two young granddaughters, tothe roof as the water rose during the stormand his house broke free from its foundation.In the darkness, his mother disappeared andhis 2-year-old granddaughter fell off the roofinto the water. “Her sister dove in after her, butRobert had to pull the sister back,” Connorsaid. “He had no choice but to let his granddaughterdrown, since he could not leave therest of his family to die. His mother was founddead on a street corner two weeks later, andthey have never found his granddaughter.”Green’s story, like those of so many NewOrleans residents that survived Katrina, is areminder that the emotional toll was significantlygreater than the $125 billion in damageit caused. However, when volunteers travel tothe city, they are helping not only to repair thedestruction of Katrina, but also to show theresidents of the embattled city that people stillConnor (second from left, back row) with Robert Green andfellow UDaB New Orleans participantscare about the lasting effects it will have onthem.“Volunteer work is something I have alwayshad a strong passion for, since everyone needssomeone to help them have a better life,”Connor said. “If I can be that person, then Ihave fulfilled my purpose in life, I believe.”To find out more about UD’s AlternativeSpring Break program, visit UD’s Office ofService Learning home page at www.servicelearning.udel.edu.UDress PhotographerContinued from page 1Dover – I loved how the teachers actuallyknew who I was and what I was interested in.said. “Spending time up here helped me learnthe campus. … Driving to Newark was worthphotographers. She recommended that heI made some great friends and took some it; there is so much more to offer and soattend UD’s Registered Student Organizationsgreat classes,” he said.many more opportunities to get involved in(RSO) Spring Activities Night, an event heldAfter he received his associate’s degree in things.”at the Trabant University Center where RSOsDover, he also advanced within the ranks at Asked if he had any advice for UDAA studentswho will also be making the move toset up booths to promote their organizations,UDress. “When it was time for me to movedistribute information, and recruit newup to Newark, it just happened to be the Newark, Stevens recommended gettingmembers. Stevens stopped by the UDresssame time our photography director was involved with at least one of the many organizationsand activities offered on campus. “Ifbooth, where he met the magazine’s editor ingraduating,” he said. “Between the 10 otherchief and photography director.photographers, I was asked to be the new you’re interested in student things, you have“They explained to me that the magazinephotography director, to manage all the to attend the RSO Activities Night early in thewasn’t just about fashion; it was about muchshoots and make sure only quality work is semester. There are tons of clubs and somethingfor everyone,” he said.more, with different sections of the magazineachieved. Plus, I would have the prerogativefocusing on different things,” he said. In additionto “Fashion Fresh,” the section of UDressto shoot the cover as well as center spread.” “I highly recommend joining and activelyMaking the move to Newark can be dauntingfor many UDAA students, but Stevens has it [made] the transition so much easier that Iparticipating in it before arriving to Newark;that is solely dedicated to the fashion world,the magazine features film reviews and articlesabout healthy living, food and cooking,adjusted well. “I didn’t know what to expect knew where things were and already had awhen I got to Newark, but now that I am here few friends here, too,” he said.men’s health and fashion, and news and currentevents in Newark and beyond.I love it,” he said. “Some of my classes might That advice applies to more than just studentlife. Stevens recommends “not just get-be twice as big, but still, all of my professorsStevens started at UDress and worked withknow me by name here also. Some classes are ting involved in things when you’re atthe magazine for the next two semesters, stilla lot harder here, others a lot easier; I think it UDAA, but in life in general – life is what youattending classes in Dover. “I was pretty excitedto take pictures of whatever they wantedjust depends on the professor, not really the make it. You have to go out and find things tocampus.”do, go out and make new friends.”and get published,” he said, “and either way, itWorking in Newark, at the bookstore andseemed like a great way to meet new people.”at UDress, before he actually began attending You can read the current and archived issuesEven with all the time he spent commuting,classes there made the transition easier, of UDress at www.udressmag.com. For informationon student activities, go toStevens appreciates the time he spent at theStevens said. “Just because it was in NewarkUDAA program. “I loved the small classes indidn’t mean I couldn’t be up here before I www.udel.edu/student-centers.finished classes in the UDAA program,” he4 June 2011

UDAA professor works with FAME ProgramDr. Nancy Hall, UD Associate in Artsprofessor of mathematics at theGeorgetown campus, recently representedUD at a recent graduation ofparents and their children involved inthe Strengthening Families Program(SFP). SFP is a nationally recognizedparenting and family strengtheningprogram designed to reduce problembehaviors, delinquency, and alcoholand drug abuse in children, improveacademic performance, and strengthenparent-child bonding.The SFP program is part of theFriends at Milton Elementary (FAME)Program at Milton Elementary Schoolin Milton, Delaware. FAME is a federallyfunded program designed to help atriskchildren in grades 3, 4, and 5through summer camps, after-schoolclubs, and tutoring sessions. Dr. Hall ison the board of FAME.In addition, Lauren Knowles, a UDAA student at the Georgetown campus,will be assisting in the FAME programthis summer, working as an aide in theprogram’s summer camp.SUMMER CLASSES ON THE DOVER CAMPUS5 June 2011