Delaware Tech kicks off 50th anniversary

Delaware Technical Community College kicked off its 50th anniversary celebration Jan. 27 with the theme Delivering Excellence, Changing Lives.

The events, held simultaneously at all four campus locations, included a commemorative anniversary video that showcases the college’s history and accomplishments, an anniversary website, a campus scavenger hunt and refreshments.

The celebration - attended by college students, faculty, staff, administrators, retirees, graduates, board of trustee members and development council members - served as the official launch of the college’s yearlong celebration.

College President Mark Brainard said, “Delaware Tech is celebrating a significant milestone - its golden anniversary. Since the college was established in 1966, three generations of Delawareans have enjoyed greater access to higher education. This year, we will celebrate 50 years of delivering excellence and changing lives.

Through the decades, Delaware Tech has promised to do its part to create a better life for all Delawareans. And we’ve delivered on that promise by connecting Delawareans with jobs, creating high-quality programs, helping businesses thrive by preparing a job-ready workforce, inspiring youth to fulfill their potential and providing our communities with opportunities for lifelong learning.”

Since its establishment in 1966, Delaware Technical Community College has been committed to providing access to an affordable, high-quality education that meets the needs of Delaware’s businesses and community, and contributes to the economic vitality of the state.

In its 50-year history, the college has graduated more than 46,000 individuals and served tens of thousands through youth camps, dual-enrollment programs, workforce training initiatives and community education programs.

Now, in 2016, the college is proud to celebrate the many ways Delaware Tech has fulfilled its mission, including:

Over 100 high-quality academic programs, more than half of which are nationally accredited, designed to meet Delaware’s workforce needs.

More than 2,100 industry experts serving on 84 advisory committees to ensure graduates have the skills necessary to be job-ready.

Some 93 percent of 2014 graduates employed with nearly 600 Delaware businesses.

More than 200 articulation agreements with four-year institutions that allow graduates to transfer smoothly and economically as juniors.

More than $5.6 million in scholarships awarded to over 9,000 students in the last 10 years.

Nearly 70 percent of students graduating debt-free as a result of the college’s commitment to programs like the Student Excellence Equals Degree Scholarship that provides the opportunity to every high school graduate to attend tuition-free.

Study abroad opportunities that enhance global awareness and prepare students for the 21st century job market.

Service learning opportunities that change the lives of students and those they help.

Dual-enrollment programs that serve more than 800 students from 28 high schools and 19 school districts, giving students a jump start on a college degree.

Youth camps that shape career exploration and the college aspirations of thousands of young Delawareans every year.

Employee contributions of more than $62,000 to the 2015 United Way Campaign with 72 percent employee participation.

$1.1 billion in income added to Delaware’s economy in 2013-14 as a direct result of Delaware Tech and its students, approximately equal to 1.6 percent of the gross state product.

Delaware Tech has a rich history of being a part of the community with a focus on serving Delawareans. Therefore, a major component of this year’s celebration will be giving back to the communities in the form of 50 campus and community service projects statewide. In addition, many activities and events are planned throughout 2016 including the installation of its fifth president, Dr. Mark T. Brainard, June 9.

During the Inaugural Week, activities will be held at each campus and include an old-fashioned picnic at the Owens Campus in Georgetown - the birthplace of the college - and a legislative brunch on the Terry Campus to showcase successful alumni. The Stanton Campus will host the week’s final event, a reception at the campus from which Brainard graduated.

The 50th anniversary website featuring the commemorative video, alumni success stories and a timeline of the history of the college, will be updated throughout the year with additional alumni success stories and service projects. Alumni are encouraged to share their story through the website.

Students, community members and friends of the college are invited to join in the celebration by volunteering for a service project, visiting a campus, attending an event or following the college on Twitter @delawaretech and on Facebook dtccterrycampus, dtccowens, or dtccstanwilm for updates on all the year’s events. To see the anniversary website, go to www.dtcc.edu/50th.