Page 70 - WilmU Spring Summer 2013

W ilmington University’s fi h
annual Florida Alumni
Winter Celebration will
be remembered for the
old friendships that were
rekindled, the new connections that were made
and the live music that inspired alumni and
friends to dance the night away.
Set against the perfect backdrop of
80-degree temperatures, cool breezes and the
beautiful Seagate Hotel in Delray Beach, Fla.,
more than 75 guests gathered to celebrate and
support the mission that Wilmington University
continues to live by. The turnout was double
that of last year’s celebration.
“I had a great time at the alumni event,”
said alumna Pam Lucas, who came to the
celebration with her son and daughter-in-law.
“I am already making plans to a end next year.
Wilmington University has provided me with
so much opportunity to expand my horizons
through the courses and professors that taught
me. My years spent at the University have
exceeded my expectations of the experience I
would have as an adult learner.”
University President Dr. Jack Varsalona,
who hosted the event, thanked guests for their
continued support and encouraged them to
stay connected to their Wilmington University
family.
“It’s an honor and a thrill for me to see how
many people in our Wilmington University com-
munity traveled from Delaware to Florida for
this event,” Varsalona said. “This University has
much to celebrate, and with such phenomenal
growth over the past few years, it’s wonderful
to see this Florida celebration grow and flourish
as it has. Our alumni and community are the
reason we can do things like this, and I am
filled with gratitude for their presence and
contributions.”
Stefanie Whitby, Senior Director of
Institutional Advancement, gave a brief
presentation highlighting some of the major
initiatives and events over the past year. She
featured the recent announcement that
Wilmington University has been ranked as the
fourth fastest-growing university in the nation
(by the Chronicle of Higher Education) and
the increased student enrollment of more
16,000. Annual fundraising events such as the
Green andWhite Scholarship Ball and the
Scholarship Golf Classic were noted in an effort
to remind everyone that all money donated to
the University is given to students in need of
financial support to complete their dream of an
education.
People came from all over the state of
Florida, and a few alumni from up north
decided to plan a vacation around the event. A
number of faculty and staff were in a endance
to show their pride and support for the growing
number of alumni all over the country. Several
top administrators at the University, including
College of Business Dean Dr. Don Durande a
and Vice Presidents Dr. Peter Bailey and Dr.
JimWilson, made the trip. Thomas E. Leipold,
secretary and member of the University’s Board
of Trustees, also participated in the event. WU
WUalumni
Wilmington University is excited to offer all
alumni a chance to reconnect withWebCampus
through the Alumni Portal. This function will
enable alumni to request official transcripts,
update personal information and review donor
giving history.
Just go to wilmu.edu/AlumniPortal and you
will be prompted to create a login name and
password that can be used to connect you to
the university system.
With the recent development of online
transcript requests and the Alumni Relations
Department’s interest in offering alumni more
ways to engage, the Alumni Portal was created.
Take a minute to update your personal
information, especially your email address,
so that we can keep you informed of all the
benefits, partnerships and upcoming events that
are there to support you.
WilmingtonUniversity FloridaCelebration a Sun-Kissed Success
BY STEFANIEWHITBY
Newportal is another way to connect withWilmUalumni
Derek Harris, Pam Lucas ’13, StefanieWhitby and Kelly Harris enjoy the celebration in Delray Beach,
Florida.
WILMINGTON UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE