UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 35, Page 2
June 24, 1993
Stonier bankers return to campus for eighth year 

     The Stonier Graduate School of Banking, a summer tradition at
Delaware, is now in its eighth year on campus. Representing most of the 50
states and other countries, 478 mid- and senior-level bank managers,
including 11 from Delaware, are taking part in the intensive, two-week
program, which runs until June 25.
     Approximately 120 bankers, professionals, government officials and
academicians serve on the Stonier faculty. Robert Schweitzer, chairperson
of the Department of Finance and director of the FIRE (Financial
Institutions Research and Education) Center is one of them. He also
arranges activities and acts as liaison between the University and the
banking school.
     This year, 13 bankers from Eastern Europe (four from the Slovak
Republic, two from Poland and seven from Romania) will matriculate at
Stonier. They are sponsored by Bankers Abroad, a part of the U.S. Treasury
Special Assistance Program, administered by the accounting firm KPMG--Peat
Marwick.
     According to Charles Hoffman, Stonier director, the goal is to develop
successful banks and banking systems in Eastern Europe.
     After the Eastern European group finishes two weeks of course work,
they will participate in three-week internships at different banks
throughout the country.
     The 13 also experienced a taste of American life by attending a
Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game, shopping at the Christiana Mall and
seeing the sights of historic Philadelphia. They also had the opportunity
to join other Stonier students for trips to Atlantic City, Baltimore's
Inner Harbor and to a Phillies game.
     Sponsored by the American Bankers Association (ABA) and founded in
1935, Stonier offers a three-year program for professional development,
preparing the bankers for leadership positions. Students attend the
resident sessions on campus. They also work on between-session problems, as
well as a thesis or applied research, and writing projects.
     Last year, Stonier introduced a two-year program for bankers with
MBAs. This program has been successful, with 15  enrolled in the program
last year, doubling to 30 in the "freshman" class this summer, according to
Hoffman.
     Guest lectures also are a part of the Stonier curriculum. This year's
speakers were Susan Phillips, a member of the board of governors of the
Federal Reserve System, and Bill Bowen, CEO of the First Commercial Bank of
Little Rock, Ark. Bowen served as chief of staff for President Bill Clinton
during his presidential campaign.
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure