address updated in UDSIS. It is the only way we know how to contact you or send official mail to you. Also, be sure to update your emergency contact info for the UD Alert System! Important tip: A mber Frushon and Courtney Lane, both Smyrna residents and UDAAP students plan- ning to major in communications, worked recently in the Smyrna Opera Houses Marketing and Communications Internship Program to gain invaluable real- world experience while also promot- ing the arts. Lane, a student at the Wilmington campus, is a current intern; Frushon, who is in the final semester of her Associate in Arts degree at the Dover campus, was later hired as the programs director of the Opera House at the conclu- sion of her internship. History The Smyrna Opera House is located within the Old Town Hall building on South and Main streets. Most visitors to downtown Smyrna will notice the distinguished profile of this historic red-brick building, originally constructed in 1869, with its distinctive bell tower and high, arched windows. Many different town facilities have been housed within its walls over the years everything from a theater to town offices to a jailand it certainly bore no signs of returning to its pre- vious grandeur as a local arts mecca. In fact, the building had fallen into such disrepair over the years that in 1998 it was in danger of being demolished, until local residents in the non-profit Smyrna-Clayton Heritage Association fought to save it by organizing donor funds for its restoration. The restored building reopened in 2003 and has since served as a community arts center that hosts both local and national performers and events. The internship program, in its first year, now extends this commu- nity involvement to students hoping to gain marketable experience in the administration, com- munications, and marketing fields. Amber Frushon has a long history with the organiza- tion: She began attending the Opera Houses Summer Theatre Camp, held annually for students aged 8 to 16, when she was 11. Participants receive workshop-style instruction in improv, staging, pro- jection, and vocal and theater train- ing, she says, and participate in a final performance assessment writ- ten by theater camp director Jim McGuigan. Frushon says she was awarded a scholarship for her yearly workshop tuition and participated each year until she was 16 years old. I performed in theater all throughout my education with the Smyrna School District, and I always looked forward to the two- week theater camp because I got to see all my friends and act, which I loved, she said. Frushons history with the opera INTERNSHIPS LEAD TO CAREERS FOR TWO UDAAP STUDENTS Continued on page 2 Renee Fisher Email: rfisher@udel.edu (302) 831-8108 Howard Fishman Email: hfishman@udel.edu (302) 571-5395 Mary Miller Email: mcmiller@udel.edu (302) 855-1657 (Georgetown) (302) 857-1214 (Dover) Latoya Watson Email: latoya@udel.edu (302) 857-1214 (Dover) (302) 573-5425 (Wilmington) Appointment Calendar: www.sites.udel.edu/latoya Do you have news or a story idea for The Associate? Email editor Erin Tanner at etanner@udel.edu. From left: UD alumnus Emily Cummings, Amber Frushon, and Courtney Lane. ADVISOR CONTACT INFORMATION 2 Fall 2014 house led her to apply immediately after see- ing a posting about available internships on the organizations Facebook page in fall 2012, she says. I had just entered into the UDAA Program with the Dover campus and was a communication interest major, she said. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for me to see how I like being a communica- tions major and work in my community since I wasnt on main campus and [was] unable to take advantage of all the clubs and organizations up there. I hoped that in the long run this might turn into a more perma- nent position, and it did! Courtney Lane also first noticed the orga- nizations internship posting on its Facebook page, she said. Fortunately, she was able to learn more about the job from a firsthand source before even applyingFrushon is Lanes cousin, and Lane sought her out for more information. I asked my cousin Amber, who was cur- rently interning there, about the duties and responsibilities that interning would entail. I decided to apply based on both how highly she spoke of the Opera House and my mem- ories of attending the Opera House as a child to see musicals. I thought it would be a great opportunity to intern somewhere that was considered very prestigious in my communi- ty, she said. Lane balances her internship responsibili- ties with her on-air schedule at Clear Channel Communications in New Castle. In fact, it was this opportunity that drew her to the Wilmington UDAAP campus; she trans- ferred to Wilmington from West Chester University so that she could attend school closer to the broadcasting company. Lane produces commercials and is the traffic reporter for 94.7 WDSD, 92.9 TOM-FM, 1410 WDOV, 1450 WILM, and 1290 The Ticket. Frushon works part-time for Clear Channel, as well, doing the beach traffic reports for 94.7 WDSD. Responsibilities & Events Both Frushon and Lane held many responsibilities as interns, and Frushon has taken on even more responsibility since she became the organizations programs director. At the start of the internship, she said, she worked in mainly communications and design capacities, creating posters, flyers, performance pro- grams, and advertisements. Lanes duties were simi- lar, and also varied. I was responsible for writing press releases, helping run the box office, planning events, producing music for events that needed it, and bringing new ideas in that would attract the attention of teens and young adults, Lane said. I also set up and voiced public service announcements for some of our events that were played on the radio. Both Lane and Frushon earned a new respect for event organizing, among other things, during their internships. I learned countless things about business, and now understand the amount of work event-plan- ning takes, especially when you work for a non-profit, Lane said. These organizational skills have been put to the test in the various events Lane and Frushon worked to bring about. Frushon co- chaired the Opera Houses inaugural Trends, Tulips, and Tea event, which featured a fash- ion show, spring bazaar, and high tea. Taking on even more responsibility, Frushon and Lane created and organized the Opera Houses recent Summer Solstice Blackout Party, the Opera Houses first-ever teen dance event. Held August 2, 2014 a little after the actual summer solstice so as to not coincide with the popular Firefly Music Festivaland featuring black lights, neon dcor, and Dovers DJ Styles on the turntables, the event was a sensation, attracting more than a hun- dred teens aged 14 to 20 who danced the night away. After the success of their event, Frushon said, the Opera House is now in the planning stages for a teen-oriented Halloween party this October. In addition to the hands-on event pro- motion experience gained in working on these events, Frushon said the internship also improves interns organizational, time-management, and writing skills, as well as giving them valuable knowledge in the fields of marketing, public relations, and administration.
Plans for the Future Like many students, Frushon was unsure which career path to choose after graduating from high school. Originally I was going to become an ultrasound technician and go through the Delaware Tech Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. My first semester of taking classes, I realized that I was becoming a technician more for job security than doing something I was really passionate about, she said. Hearkening back to her experiences with theater and dramatic arts, Frushon decided on a career that fit her interests far better. I decided to become a communications major with a concentration in public relations, she said. I have always had a love for the arts and theater, and if I can help people showcase their passion while organizing it and provid- ing community involvement, then that is a great thing! I also like to have fun, she added. I mean, who doesnt? Growing up in a small town, there wasnt a whole lot to do without a ride from a parent to Dover or up north somewhere. The Smyrna Opera House wishes to provide opportunity and be a community center for the arts. If I can give back to my community and help generate youth/teen activities and make this a space for everyone, then I will be complete. Proving that she can balance her program- director and on-air job duties with her course load at UD, Frushon is currently in the last semester of her Associate in Arts degree; she then plans to continue toward her bachelors degree in communications and is considering a minor in advertising. Lane will also be majoring in communica- tions at UD, but will be taking a slightly dif- ferent course; she plans to continue her career in radio. Internships Continued from page 1 The Smyrna Opera House Blackout Party Fall 2014 3 Important dates: Tuesday, Aug 26: Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. Monday, Sep. 1: Labor Day Holiday; University offices closed; classes suspended. Tuesday, Sep. 9: Last day to register or to add courses. After this date, tuition and a $25 processing fee will be charged for change of registration. Friday, Oct. 10: Deadline for midterm grades to be posted in UDSIS (first-year students only). Tuesday, Oct. 21: Last day to change registration or to withdraw from courses without academic penalty. Monday, Oct. 27: Registration begins for Winter Session 2015. Tuesday, Nov. 4: Election Day. Classes suspended, University offices closed. Thursday, Nov. 13: Registration begins for Spring Semester 2015. Tuesday, Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Break begins after last class; classes end at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26: Classes suspended; University offices open. Thursday, Nov. 27: Holiday; classes suspended; University offices closed. Friday, Nov. 28: Holiday; classes suspended; University offices closed. Monday. Dec. 1: Classes resume following Thanksgiving recess. Wednesday, Dec. 3: Last day of classes; classes end at 10:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4: Reading Day; no exams scheduled. Friday, Dec. 5: Final exams begin. Saturday, Dec. 6: Reading Day; no exams scheduled. Sunday, Dec. 7: Reading Day; no exams scheduled. Friday, Dec. 12: Final exams end. For the complete UD academic calendar, visit www.udel.edu/registrar/cal/main.html I also hope to begin voice acting when I have enough expe- rience in my field, she said. I always loved listening to talk radio as a child, but I never pictured myself actually working in radio. I later decided to try it on a whim, and that landed me where I am today. It was the greatest decision I ever made for my career. Considering an Internship? Some Advice: Frushon said that while some students might dread the idea of an unpaid internship, these experiences offer an invaluable education that just cant be gained in a classroom environment. Sometimes you have to think on your feet and do things that arent even asked of you. An internship teaches you to push yourself, career-wise. You are able to ask questions, earn opinions from experienced members of the community, learn from your mistakes, work in a team and independently, and learn who you are as a business professional. Lane advises fellow students seeking an internship to start out close to home. You never know what opportunities your hometown can offer you until you search for them. This way, you will have a foundation to build and expand from, and at the very least, somewhere you can call home in a professional sense, as well as a physical one, she said. by Erin Tanner For those who are looking for an internship in com- munications, journalism, graphic design, arts admin- istration, public relations, marketing, or advertising, the Smyrna Opera House has plenty of experience for you. Students will assist Managing Director Robin Bruner with creation and productions of all organiza- tional print material and management of our website and social media pages. Students will work on com- munication pieces (such as flyers, programs, fact sheets, and events material), as well as supporting efforts for our fundraiser events like our Annual Arts Cotillion; Trends, Tulips, and Tea for Women; author events, Christmas Open House; teen dances, etc. The Smyrna Opera House is flexible with its interns and understands that school comes first. Students are asked to partner with SOH for 12 weeks, with about 15-20 hours a week dedicated to the SOH. For more information, students can email soh.secretary@veri- zon.net or call (302) 653-4236 for more information. by Amber Frushon Student Interns Wanted! 4 Fall 2014 Faculty Welcome At the AAPs annual Transitions Day event, held Thursday, July 17, recent graduates of all three AAP campuses and their families gained valuable information about contin- uing their academic journeys on the Newark campus. Students were welcomed by Dr. George Watson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who encouraged them to engage with the University community and make use of the multitude of opportunities that life at the Newark campus has to offer. AAP Faculty Director Jack Bartley and Marie Gleason, an Institute for Global Studies program coordi- nator, spoke about both the benefits of study abroad trips and the many avenues students can take to gain funding for these opportuni- ties. Academic Advisor Renee Fisher, organiz- er of Transitions Day, addressed parents and students alike, urging them to learn as much as possible about academic support resources available to them on campus, advice echoed by Frank Newton, assis- tant dean in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, who encouraged students to be active partici- pants in their own learning. Resource & Information Fair Parents and guests visited the multitude of University programs, services, and information sessions at the Transitions Day Resource Fair, which was set up in Trabant University Center for the event; it featured information about career planning, student life, and academic and personal sup- port services for students. Former UDAAP students were also on hand to share their per- sonal insights about making the successful transition to the main campus, after which the students in attendance were given the chance to meet with representatives of their individual colleges, concluding with campus tours for students, family members, and their guests. by Erin Tanner and Photos: Latoya Watson TRANSITIONS DAY: AAP GRADS PREP FOR NEWARK LIFE . Congratulations to the UDAAP students who won the Spring 2014 course evaluation prize drawing! Winners for each cam- pus were selected at random from completed online course evaluations. The winners: Alexander Davis, Georgetown: Apple iPad Kylee Morris, Dover: $75 Barnes & Noble gift card Mitchell Grier, Wilmington: $25 Barnes & Noble gift card Winners, enjoy your prizes, and thanks to all our students who used our new online course-evaluation program! Fall 2014 5 Are you frequently on Facebook? Do you tweet to beat the band? Put those skills to work for your school become a UD Social Media Ambassador! The Social Media Ambassador Program, which is run by UDs Office of Communications & Marketings Social Media team, allows current students to gain marketable social media experience while sharing their perspectives on UD life, events, and more. In addition, SMAs are allowed press access and priority seating at many University events, such as football and basketball games and theater performances. Students interested in social media, marketing, pho- tography, blogging, and video production are encour- aged to apply, and students from all majors are eligi- ble. To apply, complete the UD SMA Application form at www.udel.edu/socialmedia/students. For more information, contact socialmedia@udel.edu. Be a voice for your campus as a Social Media Ambassador! Social Media Ambassadors Abby Barber and Meghan Cullen at Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayors fall 2013 visit to UD. U D a i l y / O C M Dr. Richard Bacon with Alexander Davis. Southern Delaware Convocation Several hundred students, parents, and friends gathered for the University of Delawares Southern Delaware Convocation ceremony on Thursday evening, May 29, 2014, at the Heritage Shores Club in Bridgeville, Del. The cere- mony is an annual event held to recognize students who have earned an Associate in Arts, Elementary Teacher Education in Arts, or Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree at UDs Dover or Georgetown campuses. There were a total of 208 Associate in Arts Program gradu- ates in spring 2014 from the Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetown campuses. Enthusiasm, Dedication Necessary in Pursuit of Degree The events featured speaker was John Hollis, Sussex County manager of com- munity and government affairs for Nemours Health and Prevention Services. Hollis formerly served as senior vice pres- ident of the Delaware Community Foundation, senior vice president of the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, and director of personnel for the Owens Campus of Delaware Technical Community College. He also served as personnel director, counselor, teacher, and coach in the Seaford School District for 30 years. In his address, Hollis spoke of the dedication students will need as they 6 Fall 2014 Clockwise from top left: Michael Longoria crosses the stage; Jennifer Goldsmith with Dr. Richard Bacon; featured speaker John Hollis. GRADUATING STUDENTS HONORED AT UDAAP CONVOCATION CEREMONIES continue on their academic journeys. Using the analogy of an old-fashioned water pump, he reminded students that such a device works only if primed first that, as with edu- cation, its users will only get out of it what they put into it. Hollis urged students to con- sider the amount of work, enthusiasm, and time they were willing to put into their educa- tion in order to achieve success, reminding them that the greatest rewards of higher edu- cation will also require great sacrifices. Awards Presented Dr. Richard Bacon, associate director of the Associate in Arts Program (AAP) and faculty coordinator of the Dover and Georgetown campuses, presented awards to students who had demonstrated exceptional academic skill. As faculty, we are always encouraged by and pleased to identify and recognize students who distinguish themselves in a variety of ways, he said. The AAP Highest GPA Awards were presented to Maria Ayala of the Dover campus and Kyle Marvel of the Georgetown campus, who were recognized for maintaining GPAs of 3.98 and 3.90, respectively. Megan Souder of the Georgetown campus and David Andre of the Dover campus received the AAP Faculty Achievement Award, which is present- ed to one student from each campus who has been nominated by faculty in recognition of exceptional overall academic performance. Students Jennifer Goldsmith and Michael Longoria received the Student Service Award, which is presented to students who have exhibited exceptional service to both their community and the University. Goldsmith was recognized for her volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Club of Delaware and for voluntary tutoring of fellow students on the Dover campus. Longoria was recognized for his ongoing work with the Associate in Arts Program, particularly for providing support to AAP students making the transition to the Newark campus. Dr. Laurie Palmer, coordinator of the Elementary Teacher Education (ETE) Program, presented awards to Jordan Langeheine, who won the AAP ETE Highest GPA Award; Langeheine was also awarded the Robert Baker Memorial Scholarship, granted to students demonstrating outstand- ing academic achievement. Finally, Dr. Palmer announced ETE graduate Casey Varell as the winner of the outstanding ETE Student Award. Competitive Scholarship Winners Announced In addition to presenting the faculty-selected awards, Dr. Bacon also announced the win- ners of two competitive scholarships. The Evelyn Glazebrook Memorial Scholarship, a need-based award granted each year to a Sussex County resident who demonstrates exceptional academic and leadership poten- tial, was presented to Stephen Wilson of the Georgetown campus. Wilson plans to contin- ue his studies with UD in pursuit of a bache- lors degree in elementary and middle-school education. In addition to her other awards, Georgetown student Jordan Langeheine was presented with the Vogel Scholarship, which is given annually to a full-time AAP student from Sussex County with a demonstrated interest in the fine arts and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above. Langeheine, who was lauded for her exceptional talents in creative writing, plans to pursue a degree in elemen- tary education. Wilmington Convocation Convocation ceremonies for the Wilmington UDAAP campus were held on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at 7 p.m. in Arsht Hall; the event featured addresses by Dr. John Martin, faculty coordinator of the Wilmington campus; Dr. Jack Bartley, faculty director of the Associate in Arts Program; and Dr. George Watson, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. The featured student convo- cation speaker was Zuneera Masood, a gradu- ate of the Associate in Arts Program who is currently completing her studies in Newark; Masood has recently been selected as a legisla- tive fellow with the Delaware state govern- ment. During the ceremonies, graduates Ashley Del Prado, Tankia Ferguson, and Dafne Ramirez-Rivas were awarded certifi- cates in recognition of their service to the Wilmington Associate in Arts Program. Additionally, graduates Jessi Casella, Joey Czechowicz, Ana Elizondo, Monica Marcial Guttierez, Courtney Messina, Dafne Ramirez- Rivas, Cindy Tomeo and Zach Zampini were awarded certificates in recognition of their academic excellence in the study of sociology. Finally, graduates Jennifer Padilla, Ana Elizondo, Eric Henderson, Steven Sell, and Nicholas Sloman were awarded certificates in recognition of academic excellence. by Erin Tanner Fall 2014 7 Dafne Ramirez-Rivas receives her certificate; fea- tured speaker Zuneera Masood. Congratulations to the Associate in Arts Program students named to the deans list for Spring 2014! Candice Chloe Adams David James Andre Jordan Rebecka Armstrong Michael Scott Ashley, Jr. Maria Lizett Ayala Brandon Alan Baker Rochelle Regala Balan Rony Jonathan Baltazar-Lopez Steven Thomas Barry Andrew Philip Barth Bradley Taylor Baughman Margaret Rose Bayalis Jacob Ellsworth Blacksten Caly Gao Ya Bones Christopher Allan Booth Ryan Patrick Brennan Jasmine Levonne Brown Kellee L. Brown Regine Erika Lim Calaquian Ryker Mark Lim Calaquian Zoe Nicole Callaway Javaun Asanni Campbell Erik James Caputo Julia Elizabeth Carter Jessi Faith Casella Ryan Joseph Caulfield Alexia Kim Chambers Thomas Michael Cooksey Aaron Cooper Valarie Marie Corso Charity Elyesse Cramer Kevin Andrew Creedon Rachel Lewis Curry Joseph George Czechowicz, Jr. Alexander L. Davis Anna Elizabeth Debonaventura Marissa Beth Dicostanzo Alexandra Frances Dipalma Braci Natasha Dixon Stephen Michael Dopler Kevin James Dunkleberger Ana Laura Elizondo Lissette Anna Estrada Isaiah Everett Faison Sara Fattah Nadeem Nazir Fazal Sara Ann Fields Rachel Elizabeth Frankel Kyra Nicole Friberg Gaurav Kumar Gautam Kirsten Victoria Gerhardt Nickia Nkrumah Gibson Kevin Kimani Gicheha Brian Robert Gilewski Cara Marie Giliberti Jennifer Eileen Goldsmith Angel Aurelio Gomez Bryan Eugenio Gomez Ashley Rene Gosnell Lindsey Erin Grace Rushard Bernard Graham Jenna Ann Green Daniel Aaron Hall Sarah Ann Havens Kyle Michael Hayden Eric Hayden Henderson Marcus Corey Hendy Amanda Lynn Herbert Jordan Thomas Hill Breeanna Leigh Hoehn Brandon Lee Holston Daniel Glenn Horsky Michael Wayne Horton Abigail Lea Ide Leah Marie Jackson Justin Richard Jagielski John David Jones Jennifer Megan Katzmire Kalyn Taylor Kelley Taylor Rae Killen Anthony Francis Lano Brady Nicholas Layfield Tylor Daniel Lennox Devon Elisabeth Leshock Coty Lane Lineweaver Ashley Elizabeth Little Jasmyne Denetrice Lloyd Gregory J. Logue Miriam Janet Lopez-Perez Crystal Rose Loudon Yarissa Jazmin Luna Jessica Ly Kyle Patrick Lynch Andrew Tyler Macdowell Akram Majdi Madanat Emily Julia Maguire Courtney Nicole Manley Alexandra Patricia Manolakos Monica Marcial Gutierrez Kyle William Marvel Michael H Matimu Sean Alan Matuszewski Nicole Eileen McAllister Ismael Medina Lara Jebidiah Carl Merritt Stephanie Michielli Aubrey Miller Kaitlyn Nicole Mongelli Kylee Patricia Morris Lucious David Morrison Emanuil Denis Muska Angela Marina Natrin Kristyn Nicole Neujahr Alexandria Caitlin Norris Fabiola Beatriz Novas-Hernandez Sarah Elizabeth OConnor Joseph Edmund Ocalagan Katelyn Michelle Olkowski Clarissa Ortiz Alexandria J. Packard Jennifer Padilla Monica Padilla Nathaniel Damian Parker, Jr. Minnie Lillian Pennington Danielle Alise Pettingill Rebecca Jennie Pheiffer Alexandra Lynn Prushinski Brendan Patrick Quinn Marco Antonio Ramirez Dafne Miroslava Ramirez-Rivas Jonathan William Reece Marissa Marie Reed Paige Elizabeth Reed Alexa Corynne Reyes Jonah Lee Riale John Anthony Romero Charles David Ross Glenda Del Carmen Salhuana Jesse Austin Sapp Joanna Leigh Scatasti Joshua J. Scorziello Jennifer A. Sekyeraa Steven C. Sell Deanna L. Seningen Rachel Jean Senner Tyler Joseph Shade Michael Shasanya Sara Elizabeth Shores Sheila Sichani William Tyler Simkins Tyler Adam Sipple Nicholas Lee Sloman Emalee Jessica Smith Morgan T Smith Thomas Benjamin Sol-Church Gloria Elizabeth Soto Megan Elizabeth Souder Alexis Christian Spence Tracey M. Stephey Joseph Michael Stevenson John Joseph Stout, Jr. Casey Roberta Stradley John Michael Syryla Brianna Michele Talkington Antonina Marie Tantillo Bounthong Toby Thepsoumphone Jade Nicole Thornton Edwin J. Tirado Cynthia Noelle Tomeo Erick Vasconselos Sandra Cecilia Vieyra Kevin Stuart Wallace Karen Ashley Walls Alexa Jenevai Warrington Loriann Nicole West Chelsea Hannah White Kelsey Amelia Williams Morgan Shermaine Williams Spencer Rick Williams Austin Marie Wipf Lily Grace Wojciechowski Steve Kang Won Sherika Colette Woolcock Seth Logan Yauchuczek Brandon Mark Yeager Christina Marie Young Jessica Erin Young Zachary Ian Zampini Angela Marie Zielen Crystal Michelle Ziesemer Pasquale A Zingo UD DEANS LIST: SPRING 2014 The following Associate in Arts Program students were named to the deans list for the Spring 2014 semester. Congratulations, and keep up the good work! 8 Fall 2014