Delaware Tech President visits Owens Campus

By Kimberly Huffman

Dr. Mark T. Brainard, Delaware Technical Community College’s fifth president, visited the Georgetown campus on Sept. 9. The event, held during welcome week, included a speech, a meet-and-greet session and a free healthy lunch to all who attended.

Owens Campus Director Dr. Ileana M. Smith introduced Dr. Brainard at the event, adding,"This college has always held a special place in Dr. Brainard's heart."

Dr. Brainard, a non-traditional and first-generation student, graduated from Delaware Tech with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1981. In 1983, he earned his Bachelor's in Behavioral Sciences from Wilmington University, then his Juris Doctor degree from Widener University in 1994.

According to Dr. Brainard, the average Delaware Tech student ranges from age 26 to 28. Choosing a path that differed from his peers, Brainard put off college to play hockey in a recreational league and work full time selling men's clothing. After realizing he had new and different goals, he started classes at Delaware Tech.

Brainard decided, “I have to bite the bullet and go do what I need to do, invest the time”

Part of biting that bullet was learning the culture of college. He heavily urged students to always ask for help. Whether it be for directions around the campus, help with assignments from a teacher or fellow student, or general questions that can be asked at student services, Dr. Brainard insisted that all faculty is there to help.

The main message from the president's speech was that college should be taken seriously.

"This is not 13th grade, this isn't high school 2.0, this is the real deal," Dr. Brainard stressed, “It’s game day every day.”

His success and newly earned title send a positive message to all students, but also give a boost to those non-traditional students who may feel overwhelmed in an educational environment with recent high school graduates who may be more familiar with technology and each other.