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WILMINGTON, Del. (March 29, 2016) – The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce today announced that the inaugural John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership award goes to Dr. Jack P. Varsalona, president of Wilmington University. The award will be presented at DSCC’s annual Superstars in Education Reception & Awards Ceremony at Wilmington University’s Doberstein Admissions Center Auditorium, May 9, 2016 at 4:45 p.m. The John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership Award recognizes someone within the community who has provided sustained leadership in advancing Delaware education and who, by doing so, has also made our community a better place in which to live and work. “I’m honored to receive this award from the State Chamber for many reasons, but most especially because it has John Taylor’s name attached to it,” said Varsalona. “John’s integrity and his concern for students in Delaware were second to none. He was passionate about education reform and was well respected for all he wrote and did toward that end in this state.” With 40 years of experience as a leader and advocate in Delaware education, Varsalona is recognized for his leadership, vision and personal contributions. He is one of the founders of the Delaware Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and a member of the Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees. He is also member of the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation Advisory Board in addition to being the 2013 recipient of the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation’s Muriel E. Gilman Championship Award for his outstanding contributions to the success of the Foundation. Varsalona’s passion for excellence in education is also apparent in his work as a team chair with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting body that helps other colleges and universities to maintain high scholastic and student life standards. Varsalona is heavily involved with community organizations, including the United Way of Delaware, the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation and First State Innovation. He also sits on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware. In 2014, Varsalona was the inaugural recipient of the Father Roberto Balducelli Appreciation Award for his extensive work in the Italian-American community and support of Italian artistry. Varsalona was named Advocate of the Year by Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County in May, 2015, for his substantial scholarship support and other contributions to Goodwill’s mission of helping individuals to overcome barriers to improving their lives. About the John H. Taylor, Jr. Leadership Award Throughout his professional career, Mr. Taylor was an educator. He began his career as a teacher, then served as the assistant to the superintendent of the Wilmington Public Schools. Taylor’s education background, coupled with his ability to share information and make connections served him well as he rose to become editorial page editor for The News Journal before becoming president of the Delaware Public Policy Institute in 2005. As founding member of the Vision Coalition, Taylor’s leadership and directness were instrumental in building an impactful public-private partnership to advocate for improved education in Delaware. Taylor’s leadership style was always straightforward, clear-headed and often unwavering. At the same time, he was a humorous and truly humble man. About Wilmington University Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution committed to providing flexible, career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Ranked as the third fastest growing doctoral institution in America 2003 – 2013 by The Almanac of The Chronicle of Higher Education, affordable tuition, academic excellence and individualized attention are hallmarks of the University that enable greater student success in their chosen careers. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit our website: www.wilmu.edu. About the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting an economic climate that enables business of all sizes and types to become more competitive in a constantly changing, increasingly global and unpredictable environment. Founded in 1837 as the Wilmington Board of Trade, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce has a long history as the largest, most influential business organization in the state. For information, contact info@dscc.com, or visit our website www.dscc.com. Press contacts: Rana Fayez (302) 576-6566 rfayez@dscc.com Laurie Bick (302) 295-1164 laurie.e.bick@wilmu.edu
WILMINGTON, Del. (March 29, 2016) – The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce today announced that the inaugural John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership award goes to Dr. Jack P. Varsalona, president of Wilmington University. The award will be presented at DSCC’s annual Superstars in Education Reception & Awards Ceremony at Wilmington University’s Doberstein Admissions Center Auditorium, May 9, 2016 at 4:45 p.m.
The John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership Award recognizes someone within the community who has provided sustained leadership in advancing Delaware education and who, by doing so, has also made our community a better place in which to live and work.
“I’m honored to receive this award from the State Chamber for many reasons, but most especially because it has John Taylor’s name attached to it,” said Varsalona. “John’s integrity and his concern for students in Delaware were second to none. He was passionate about education reform and was well respected for all he wrote and did toward that end in this state.”
With 40 years of experience as a leader and advocate in Delaware education, Varsalona is recognized for his leadership, vision and personal contributions. He is one of the founders of the Delaware Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and a member of the Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees. He is also member of the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation Advisory Board in addition to being the 2013 recipient of the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation’s Muriel E. Gilman Championship Award for his outstanding contributions to the success of the Foundation. Varsalona’s passion for excellence in education is also apparent in his work as a team chair with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting body that helps other colleges and universities to maintain high scholastic and student life standards.
Varsalona is heavily involved with community organizations, including the United Way of Delaware, the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation and First State Innovation. He also sits on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware. In 2014, Varsalona was the inaugural recipient of the Father Roberto Balducelli Appreciation Award for his extensive work in the Italian-American community and support of Italian artistry. Varsalona was named Advocate of the Year by Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County in May, 2015, for his substantial scholarship support and other contributions to Goodwill’s mission of helping individuals to overcome barriers to improving their lives.
About the John H. Taylor, Jr. Leadership Award
Throughout his professional career, Mr. Taylor was an educator. He began his career as a teacher, then served as the assistant to the superintendent of the Wilmington Public Schools. Taylor’s education background, coupled with his ability to share information and make connections served him well as he rose to become editorial page editor for The News Journal before becoming president of the Delaware Public Policy Institute in 2005.
As founding member of the Vision Coalition, Taylor’s leadership and directness were instrumental in building an impactful public-private partnership to advocate for improved education in Delaware.
Taylor’s leadership style was always straightforward, clear-headed and often unwavering. At the same time, he was a humorous and truly humble man.
About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution committed to providing flexible, career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Ranked as the third fastest growing doctoral institution in America 2003 – 2013 by The Almanac of The Chronicle of Higher Education, affordable tuition, academic excellence and individualized attention are hallmarks of the University that enable greater student success in their chosen careers. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit our website: www.wilmu.edu.
About the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting an economic climate that enables business of all sizes and types to become more competitive in a constantly changing, increasingly global and unpredictable environment. Founded in 1837 as the Wilmington Board of Trade, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce has a long history as the largest, most influential business organization in the state. For information, contact info@dscc.com, or visit our website www.dscc.com. Press contacts:
Rana Fayez (302) 576-6566 rfayez@dscc.com Laurie Bick (302) 295-1164 laurie.e.bick@wilmu.edu