UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 20, Page 3
February 16, 1995
Collegiate kids; Young families call University campus 'home'

     Once upon a campus, there were seven little children who
     lived at the University of Delaware. For them, the
     University wasn't a home away from home-it was home. The
     campus was their playground, the residence halls their
     extended homes and the college students, who thought they
     were pretty special, were their companions and occasional
     baby sitters.

     These campus kids are the children of four residence life
professionals who are on-campus staff-area coordinator Chuck Shermeyer
and assistant area coordinators Kathleen Kerr, Amy Franklin-Craft and
Tom Duetsch.
     Alexandra (2-1/2) and Maggie (7 months) Kerr Hussar, daughters of
Kathleen Kerr and her husband Christopher Hussar, have always called
the University of Delaware home.
     The family moved from Rodney to Ray Street when the new residence
halls were constructed. They enjoy walks around campus, Kerr said, and
a born-and-bred Delaware fan, Alexandra's favorite outing is to visit
and bestow kisses on the Fightin' Blue Hen sculpture that stands guard
at Pencader.
     Tom and Jean Duetsch's son, Stephen (2-1/2), can frequently be
seen cruising around the Mall near his home in his pedal-powered limo.
According to his mother, he is quite fond of the women residents in
Warner where he lives, taking them by the hand and inviting them to
see his collection of toys, puzzles and books.
     He is currently learning how to play baseball (first rule is
always wear a hat-you can't play ball without it) and how to work the
computer.
     A brother and sister act, Abigail (going on 3) and Nolan (9
months) Craft are the resident children at Pencader. The children of
Amy Franklin-Craft and husband Steve, Nolan is taking his first steps
and just beginning to explore the world outside, while Abigail
considers the commons and campus her domain.
     The family takes part in such activities as Community Day, and
Abigail is beginning to attend some programs at Pencader with her
mother.
     A special treat was going to see Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop last
spring at the Bob Carpenter Center. As the children get older, Amy
hopes to take advantage of other opportunities on campus, such as ice
skating.
     At 5 years old, Kelli Shermeyer, is the senior member of the
group. She and her brother Andrew, age 2, have lived in the Gilbert
complex all their lives.
     There are several pluses, according to their mother, Cindy. The
family enjoys biking around the campus, and the short trip to dad's
office via a pint-sized, electric jeep is a favorite activity. The
family joined the University pool this summer. The children were
invited to take part in the Halloween party at Gilbert, and the family
enjoys such special events as Ag Day.
     In school, Kelli is beginning to realize her home isn't quite the
same as others, and some day she would like to have her own backyard
with a swing set. But, her friends are impressed when they come for a
summer birthday party in the lounge or to play outside on the
surrounding campus, Cindy said.
     According to the parents, growing up in an atmosphere where
everyone says "Hi" and is friendly has made their children sociable
and at ease with others.
     There's no problem getting occasional baby sitters, and another
advantage is that the commute for on-campus staff is just a short
stroll to their offices.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure