The DelVal Fund

Asia ’10

Asia is in the Animal Biotechnology and Conservation program.  She hails from Pen Argyl, PA.  Asia has big plans for her future.  She wants to travel around the world helping both large and small animals. Though only entering her sophomore year, Asia already finds the atmosphere, opportunities and people to be her favorite things about DelVal. 

Asia is not the only student with big dreams. Many students entering the Conservation and Wildlife Management major have high hopes of traveling the world and working with animals. The major emphasizes the management of entire ecosystems, and the curriculum stresses the application of broad biological principles to control and conserve wildlife. Graduates of the program understand the array of factors that affect habitat conservation. They are able to devise and implement safe, effective and appropriate procedures for restoring endangered populations to viable levels. DelVal’s emphasis on hands-on learning means that students leave this major with experience they can take into the world.  To see how gifts of any size can benefit the Animal Biotechnology and Conservation department, visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Asia is also one of the many students who work at The Market on campus.  From seed to feed to the consumers table, Delaware Valley College educates students in every facet of agriculture and business. The Market provides a one-of-a-kind, hands-on opportunity for the students in these and other areas of study. Learning is brought down to earth, while real-life experience is elevated to an unparalleled level of excellence.  To learn more about the products and services that the Market has to offer and to view sales and specials, visit www.delval.edu/themarket.

Craig ’08

Craig, from nearby Montgomery, NJ, is in the Criminal Justice program. Craig enjoys the great people at DelVal and looks forward to a career in law enforcement.  His career goal is to join the police force after graduation.

Criminal Justice is one of the majors at DelVal that is growing by leaps and bounds.  The Department provides an experience where students and faculty work together in a supportive learning environment, where the free exchange of ideas, intellectual challenges and high standards prevail. The program focuses on education and practical application, bases itself on social and behavioral science theory and provides a complete understanding of the criminal justice process. The department’s objective is as much directed toward developing the skills necessary to cope with unknown future problems as it is with learning how to deal with current situations. The rigorous curriculum prepares students for a wide range of positions after graduation. For information on how a gift of any size can support financial aid for students in the form of scholarships, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Carolyn ‘10

Carolyn is a Philadelphia native who just completed her freshman year at DelVal. She is studying Zoo Science and hopes to be a Marine Mammal Trainer. Her interactions with animals as part of class are helping her reach these goals This emphasis on hands-on experience is evident in all programs at DelVal. 

Delaware Valley College is one of only two institutions in the nation to offer a four year program in Zoo Science.  The Zoo Science program is offered in collaboration with the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, PA. Both DelVal and Elmwood Park Zoo share a common mission centered on education; we strive to train future conservationists through programs that focus on wildlife management and preservation. The Zoo Science major combines a strong science education, conservation training and internship experiences at an accredited zoological park. To find out how gifts of any size can benefit the Zoo Science major, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Michelle ’09

Michelle, of Jenkintown, PA, is another student who grew up fairly close to the college As an Accounting major in the Business department, Michelle wants to go on to earn her CPA once she graduates from DelVal. Her favorite activity at college is playing on the women’s basketball team.

Sports are an extremely exciting aspect of the college experience. An important benefit of athletics is participation. The program seeks to integrate athletic involvement with the college’s academic objectives.  Lifetime physical fitness, the self-discipline of individual achievement, the value of cooperation in a mutual struggle, the capacity to deal with success and failure and the ability to perform under stress are all qualities learned in athletic competition and can be carried over into the educational experience and lifelong learning. To learn more about the accomplishments of DelVal’s sports teams and to find 2007-2008 game schedules, visit www.delval.edu/athletics. To find out how gifts of any size can benefit the Athletics Department, visit www.delval.edu/gifts/list.php.

In the classroom, Michelle is studying Accounting in the Business Department.   In the Accounting major, students are acclimated to the business world. Emphasis is placed on management's ability to analyze, plan, motivate, coordinate and control the varied activities necessary for effective and successful operations of a business. Accounting majors are technically trained to use an analytical approach to deal with financial data for managerial decision-making positions. For the past two years, Accounting majors have received hands-on experience by participating in the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, which provides free income-tax preparation assistance to low-income families in Bucks County. For information on how a gift of any size can support financial aid for students in the form of scholarships, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Dr. Benjamin Rusiloski, Dean of Business, Education, Arts & Sciences

Dr. Benjamin E. Rusiloski is responsible for overseeing all academic related matters including program development, evaluation, faculty development, strategic planning and budgeting for the business, education and arts and sciences departments at DelVal.  He provides administrative support to our academic departments and our students. Prior to his tenure as Dean, Dr. Rusiloski chaired the Chemistry & Biochemistry and Mathematics & Physics departments.

When asked what he loves most about the College, Dr. Rusiloski responds, “The people here! From students to staff to faculty to administration, everyone here is committed to creating a learning environment in which each member of the DVC family can realize his or her potential.  It is a great place to work and study.” 

The study of chemistry includes the composition, structure and properties of matter in its various solid, liquid and gaseous forms. Chemistry enters every area of our existence and will continue to play a key role in the age of high technology. The need for chemists in so many related and vastly different industries makes the gives great flexibility to chemistry majors. DelVal’s program addresses that possibility.

DelVal’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Department is listed among the programs approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Graduates who satisfactorily complete the program outlines will receive ACS Certification. To see how a gift of any size can benefit the Science Department, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Jaclyn Neil '05, Director of Alumni Relations

Jackie is beginning her first year as Director of Alumni Relations. She returned to DelVal as an alum because of the friendly people, beautiful scenery and potential that she could see in the alumni programs. Like Alumni Relations, there are several departments on campus that are not directly involved in the classroom, but are vital to the educational experience.  Student Life, Admissions, Career and Life Education, Financial Aid, Institutional Advancement and other administrative departments support the students and academic departments through recruitment, student services and extracurricular activities.

Gifts to the college help to support these departments as well. Student Life has extensive programming for students during nights and weekends throughout the year. The Alumni Association itself sponsors many activities for students, including popcorn during karaoke and ice-cream socials. They also sponsor several scholarships for Freshmen, Juniors and those who are involved in campus life. To see how a gift of any size can help Student Life and the other administrative departments on campus, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Aston ‘09

Aston is an Ornamental Horticulture major at DelVal. She currently helps out at the Market, but hopes to someday work in a botanical garden. When deciding to come to DelVal from Royersford, PA, she felt that the hands-on experience, small class sizes and personal relationships with professors at DelVal were key.

DelVal’s Ornamental Horticulture department offers students a "Seed-to-Sale" degree program, in which students can actively participate in crop production from crop scheduling and propagation to the marketing of the crops at the retail level. Delaware Valley College operates nearly 30,000 square feet of commercial greenhouse production space, featuring computer-controlled environments, ebb and flow and rolling benching and high-intensity lighting. These facilities nicely compliment a two-acre field and container nursery. The college's new farm market offers the students a real-life experience in marketing ornamentals. Students are also encouraged to participate in major industry events, such as the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Eastern Regional Nurseryman’s Seminar. To find out how a gift of any size can help the Horticulture department, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Kaitlyn ‘08

Kaitlyn is an Equine studies major from Seaville, NJ. She says, “The Equine department is amazing. They give you tons of hands-on experience, and there is a great student/teacher relationship.” When Kaitlyn graduates from DelVal, she hopes to teach riding at the high school or college level.

Students in Equine Studies are expertly prepared management positions in equestrian and breeding facilities, horse show personnel management, business management and marketing, as well as riding, driving, instruction and training positions. Students have daily hands-on responsibilities with the horses and develop the skills needed to be successful in the competitive business arena. Facilities include a 16-stall breeding facility and the training facility (equestrian center), with stalls for 48 horses. The Equestrian Center is an Official Approved British Horse Society Establishment, meeting international standards for safety, horse care and instruction. To see how gifts of any size can benefit the Equestrian Center, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Donna ‘08

Donna Studies Business at DelVal with a focus on Marketing. She is from Collegeville, PA and hopes to someday direct marketing for a Philadelphia sports team, such as the Sixers or the Eagles. During her time at DelVal, Donna has found the small class sizes, beautiful campus scenery and the friends she has made here invaluable as she persues her dreams.

Our Business department has grown in the last decade and offers degrees that emphasize several areas of business. Students who focus on Marketing at DelVal enter a comprehensive career program that uses the analytical approach to marketing decision making, forecasting patterns of consumer behavior, product policy, pricing, channels of distribution and marketing communication. The Business Administration program at DelVal emphasizes the science and art of managing a business enterprise. Students learn to deal with the principles, concepts and practices that influence the activities of all aspects of a business. For information on how a gift of any size can support financial aid for students in the form of scholarships, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Edward ‘08

Ed is a Senior from Lock Haven, PA.  He is majoring in Biology and hopes to do state conservation work after he graduates. Ed feels at home in the DelVal community. He feels that student-professor relations are an important part of his education, and at DelVal, the professors take an interest in making sure that students are involved in the learning process. 

The Biology program at DelVal is structured to provide each student with a strong background in the Biological Sciences. By the end of the freshman year, students are required to declare a major within the Biology program. This major provides students with a means to tailor the program to their particular interests and equip them with the individual skills needed to succeed in the area(s) of choice. To see how a gift of any size can benefit the Science Department, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.

Emily ‘08

Emily is a Senior studying Animal Behavior and trying to figure out her next move. She is interested in getting a position in an animal shelter after she graduates. Coming from North Providence, Rhode Island, DelVal now feels like home. She credits the small school atmosphere and all of the amazing friends she has made with helping her to feel at home at DelVal.

Animal Behavior is a new major in the Department of Animal Biotechnology and Conservation at DelVal. The program emphasizes the management and humane care of small animals as they are used in medicine, research, clinics, zoological displays, the pet trade and conservation agencies. Emphasis is placed on alternatives to whole-animal research, including the use of cell-culture techniques and the production of transgenic animals. The implementation of cutting-edge technologies keeps graduates of this program in high demand with both graduate schools and employers. To see how gifts of any size can benefit the Animal Biotechnology and Conservation department, visit visit the Gift Opportunities page.