February 2008

DOYLESTOWN, PA - (February 22, 2008) - Six Delaware Valley College students will spend their spring break as part of United Way's Alternative Spring Break 2008, beginning on March 10.

As part of Alternative Spring Break, a national initiative developed by United Way, the students will visit Hancock County, Mississippi, one of three communities hosting programs.

"In the last two years, the Alternative Spring Break Program with United Way of America has brought together America's youth to help rebuild the Gulf Coast after the destruction of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ivan," said Christine Mikulski, Assistant Director of Student Activities at Delaware Valley College, who will accompany the students on the trip. "Their role will be to help reconstruct houses and help restore the lives of families who lost so much in the storms."

After a comprehensive application process, the six Delaware Valley College students selected to participate in this year's trip include freshmen Deanna Rubino of Toms River, NJ, and Nicole Maurer of Tobyhanna, PA, who both major in small animal science; and Kimberly Bergen of Hillsborough, NJ, who majors in  animal science with a specialization in equine science and management; sophomores Casey Kissel of  Yardville, NJ, who majors in small animal science and Elizabeth Schechner of Havertown, PA, who majors in biology with a specialization in zoology and junior Samantha Bremer of  Highland Lakes, NJ, a Biology major with a specialization in zoology.

According to the United Way, participants of past ASB events were often so moved by the scenes they witnessed in the Gulf Coast and their realizations that they were able to make a difference that they have become dedicated to community engagement. In a survey after ASB 2007, 84 percent of participants reported that they were more likely to volunteer in their communities after their ASB experience. Within three months of the event, 40 percent of them had already followed through on that pledge. They also remain committed to ASB. This year, 27 percent of last year's participants are returning, generally as team leaders this time around.

"We continue to build on the groundswell of compassion and commitment of Generation Y," said Brian A. Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way of America. "We're extending service projects beyond the Gulf Coast because there are communities across the country that have pressing needs that can be addressed through thoughtful, focused and committed volunteer work."

As part of their crucial support of United Way's campus engagement efforts, Deloitte and FedEx, two United Way National Corporate Leaders, are lead sponsors of Alternative Spring Break 2008, and CheapTickets will join them as a promotional partner supporting the program with travel.

To follow the efforts of those participating in Alternative Spring Break 2008 during the month of March, please visit http://blog.unitedway.org/asb. For more information about United Way and Alternative Spring Break, please visit www.unitedway.org.

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DOYLESTOWN, PA - (February 1, 2008) - Delaware Valley College will host JM Herr, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Herr Foods Inc. on February 28. Herr Foods of Nottingham, PA, is a maker of snack foods, including potato chips, pretzels and corn chips.

Herr's visit is part of the Tom Watson Executive in Residence Program, which was established in 2005 to bring worldwide business leaders to Delaware Valley College. While on campus, Herr will visit with students in several business classes; he also plans to meet with the College's Students In Free Enterprise group.

Herr joined the family business as assistant to the president. After serving as vice president and then executive vice president, Herr was named president and chief operating officer in 1989. He was named to his current chief executive position in 2000 and chairman of the board in 2005.

Herr has served as board chairman of the Snack Food Association and on the board of the International Bible Society. He currently serves as chair of the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley and on the boards of Fulton Bank and the Clemens Family Corporation.

Interacting with a Watson Executive in Residence offers DelVal students a chance to learn about the current trends, ideas and emerging issues influencing the world economy in a variety of industries and provides networking opportunities. 

The program's founder, Tom W. Watson, a graduate of the DelVal class of 1957 and former chief growth officer of Omnicom Group, Inc., values the learning that happens in the classroom and understands the world experience an Executive in Residence can bring to a classroom discussion, public lecture or workshop for student by enhancing the overall learning environment.

In addition to learning about a particular business or industry, students gain added insight from Watson Executives in Residence as the speakers share their own personal career stories and executive skills development.

Past Executives in Residence have included Pamela Sander president of Zumbro River Brand Inc., a contract food manufacturer; Howard Stoeckel, chief executive officer of Wawa, Inc.; and Phillip Clemens, chairman and chief executive officer of the Clemens Family Corporation and chairman, chief executive officer and board member of Clemens company subsidiaries, which include Hatfield Quality Meats and Wild Bill's Foods, among others.