Delaware Tech graduates give back to benefit veteran students

After completing their service with the U.S. Marines in the late ‘60s and returning to Delaware, twin brothers Dan Tidwell and Dave Tidwell used their GI Bill benefits to begin their college education at Delaware Technical Community College's Jack F. Owens Campus. Now they are paying tribute to other student veterans with a $20,000 donation to the college to establish the Tidwell Family Scholarship Endowment.

The scholarship endowment will support the greatest needs of student veterans who, upon completing their service, turn to education to prepare for new careers. The scholarship will be awarded to student veterans enrolled in degree, diploma or certificate programs at the Owens Campus in Georgetown beginning in the spring 2017 semester.

Both Dan and Dave remain active with veteran service organizations in Sussex County. They have a long affiliation with Delaware Tech and have experienced firsthand the quality of a Delaware Tech education and its ability to change lives for the better. In addition to both being graduates of the college's business administration program, Dan is a member of the Owens Campus Development Council. Dave served as a financial aid officer before retiring as program director of the Employment Connections Program following a 20-year tenure with the Owens Campus. In addition, both are advocates for Senate Bill 137 to identify a permanent, long-term capital financing solution for Delaware Tech.

Dan described the scholarship as a way to pay it forward. "We want to help veterans and their families. It's the right thing to do. Dave and I were fortunate to complete our service with the Marine Corps, get a college education and have rewarding careers. We can't think of a greater family legacy than supporting others who have served our country."

In addition to establishing the endowed scholarship, the Tidwell brothers are leading the effort to raise $25,000 for a Veteran Resource Center at the Owens Campus. Dave said, "Student veterans need a place to network with others who have had similar life experiences and receive support to finish their degree. We know there are other veterans who want to give back, and we ask them to join us in raising these much-needed funds to support today's student veterans."

The center will host guest speakers and student veteran programs such as financial education, tutoring, career workshops and post-traumatic stress seminars. It also will provide a meeting space for student veterans to study, relax and engage with fellow veterans, and for the Veterans Inspiring Progress student organization which offers support and networking for the campus veteran community.

Dr. Mark T. Brainard, president of Delaware Tech, said, "Supporting student veterans is a priority at Delaware Tech, and this scholarship will go a long way toward helping them complete their program and start a new career. We're extremely proud of Dan and Dave as alumni that are giving back and very, very grateful for their leadership in raising additional funds for the Owens Campus Veteran Resource Center. Their gift is a tribute to veterans throughout Delaware and will make a significant difference for student veterans for many years to come."

Dan and Dave are lifetime residents of Sussex County. Dan is the senior vice president and financial advisor for The Tidwell Group at Morgan Stanley, and Dave is the foundation director for CHEER Community Center. They are both members of the American Legion Georgetown. In addition, Dan is past president of the Sussex County Vietnam Veterans and commander of the Georgetown/Ellendale Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Dan resides in Georgetown with his wife Joanne and Dave resides in Georgetown with his wife Barbara.

To contribute to the Tidwell Family Scholarship Endowment, go to www.dtcc.edu/makeagift, and designate Fund 284 The Tidwell Family Scholarship Endowment in the "Special Donor Instructions" field. To support the Veterans Resource Center at the Owens Campus, contact Jason Bentley, director of development, at 302-259-6024 or Bentley@dtcc.edu.