From the Dean…
What a great time to be at Wilmington University in the College of Technology. Our programs are growing and we are working to add additional methods of delivery, such as additional distance learning and hybrid formats for our course offerings. It has been a challenging winter and a busy spring semester. Below are highlights of what we have been up to:
The College of Technology Open House and Art Exhibit was held in March. Over 250 Media Design and Studio Production students exhibited. Guests were serenaded by flute and violin as they toured halls and classrooms lined with artwork that included photographs, drawings, digital art, animation exhibits, flash-based websites, short film clips and photo essays.
College of Technology Student Production students volunteered for “Go Red for Women,” sponsored by the American Heart Association in February. The annual event raises funding for research and awareness to combat heart disease in women. This year’s effort involved live broadcasting and recording of the event which was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Dover. Students Leon Barton and Scott Clegg participated along with alum, Thato Dadson (’09). Studio Production students Ryan Cerminara and Tom Riley also participated in a similar fashion at the Heart Ball in March, also held in Dover.
The first College of Technology Film Festival took place on April 16th at the New Castle Campus. It was spearheaded by CoT faculty members Scott Shaw and Tim Fennell, with support from Studio Production Program Coordinator Dr. Geoff Olive. The evening offered networking opportunities and featured the works of nine aspiring film-makers. The next CoT Film Festival is planned for Fall 2010.
We are very excited to announce that our new Game Design and Development Program was approved and initial courses will be offered Fall 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.wilmu.edu/gamedesign/
In May, we will host the 5th annual College of Technology awards ceremony for Media Design and Studio Production majors. The event will take place on Thursday, May 6th at 6pm in the DAC auditorium at the New Castle cam-pus. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend this celebration our students‟ extraordinary talents.
Computer Network Security (CNS) Program Coordinator Mark Hufe continues to coordinate our participation in the “Cyber Challenge” which is a national effort to increase awareness of the need for Cyber Security and to train additional professionals to work in this critical field. Delaware is one of three states piloting the effort which is coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security.
On April 14th, Secretary James Sills, Chief Information Officer for the State of Delaware was the keynote speaker at the Computer and Network Security Spring Contemporary Topics Colloquium held in Dover. Also presenting were Dante LoScalzo and Travis Christian, Officers of the Cyber Defense Club. There were over 70 students, faculty and staff in attendance. You should know that the Cyber Defense Club is growing and now has over 100 members. It is open to CNS or MSIST students and alumni. Our Contemporary Topics series will continue next fall. Past speakers this year have included Elayne Starkey, Chief Security Officer in the Department of Technology and Information for the State of Delaware, and Alan Paller, Director of Research at the SANS Institute.
The new Information Systems Management (ISM) curriculum was approved and is scheduled for a Fall 2010 start. The program reflects a shift in direction – towards “business driven strategy, business intelligence, and data warehousing.” Current Information Resource Management (IRM) students have the option of changing to the new program or completing their current program and are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor.
Please join us also in congratulating Adjunct Professor Nancy McDonald on her recent promotion. Nancy currently teaches in the Web Information Systems (WIS) and Information Systems Management programs and was instrumental in developing the new ISM curriculum.
Our graduate program, Information Systems Technologies (MSIST) is growing and the Information Assurance Track is now completely offered online. We introduced a new course to the curriculum – SEC6050 Business Intelligence – which was initially offered Spring 2010.
The College of Technology offers its sincere congratulations to our 2010 graduates. Your dedication to learning and your hard work ethic serve as an example to all. We wish you continued success in your next endeavors. But our journey together does not stop here. We encourage you to keep us posted on your achievements and look forward to seeing you again at our future alumni events.
