University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 18, Feb. 6, 1997
Parallel Program marks third decade of service

     The Parallel Program is celebrating its 30th year of serving
Delawareans by providing an alternate gateway to a University of
Delaware education, according to Raymond Callahan, associate
dean/outreach in arts and science.
     "The Parallel Program is an example of how the University
serves both traditional and non-traditional students by providing
educational opportunities throughout the state," Callahan,
recently named to head the parallel program, said.
     First established in Georgetown in 1967, the successful, two-
year program was expanded to Wilmington in 1971, followed by
Dover in 1985.
     The programs are physically operated on Delaware Technical
and Community College campuses, and the faculty and students are
a part of the University of Delaware. Students also can
participate in extracurricular Del Tech activities.
     "With the recent decision to make the Parallel Program a
part of the College of Arts and Science, the ties have become
stronger with greater interaction among faculty in each
department," Callahan pointed out.
     There are advantages in pursuing a degree through the
Parallel Program, he said.
     The Parallel Program has a core faculty known for its
dedication to teaching and advising students and their
willingness to lend a helping hand.
     Classes are small, usually between 15 to 35 students, with a
maximum of 60, which permits greater faculty-student interaction.
     Tuition is affordable, less than at the Newark campus, and
is an excellent value, Callahan said.
     Students, who are admitted to the parallel program through
the UD Office of Admissions, choose it for a variety of reasons,
Callahan said. They may wish to live at home and hold a job while
attending college. Lower costs are another factor. Because of the
smaller classes and supportive environment of the program, some
students are advised to attend the parallel program to enhance
their skills before moving to the main campus.
     Each location is headed by an assistant dean-Patricia Dorey
in Georgetown; Kathleen Bieker in Dover; and Jean Bohner in
Wilmington.
     Bieker said that the Dover program has 154 matriculating
students and 78 students taking courses through continuing
education. "Our graduates have moved into careers in nursing,
teaching and business and several have gone on to graduate
school," she said.
     According to Bohner, there are 298 matriculating fulltime
students and 47 parttime students in the parallel program in
Wilmington, with 81 taking courses through continuing education.
"We have a close and comfortable relationship with most of our
students and are there to assist them. We have a mix of very good
students who have chosen the Parallel Program because of its
small classes to those who need support and help in getting off
to a good start in college. Since Wilmington is close to the
Newark campus, students also can participate in programs such as
the Writing Center or Wellspring and most do so," Bohner said.
     The Georgetown program has grown from 38 students in 1967 to
a total of 475 students in 1996, according to Dorey.
     Dorey has been associated with the parallel program as a
returning adult student, as a parent and as an administrator.
"The program is a wonderful educational opportunity. It is a
chance for first-generation college students to get an excellent
education at an affordable cost. The program is small and
friendly with a good attrition rate, and provides a transition to
the main campus for the many students who are graduates of small,
rural high schools. The program is growing as parents and
students learn of its availability," she said.
     William Williams, who has taught history in the Parallel
Program in Georgetown since its beginning, said that the program
provides vital educational opportunities for Delawareans in
Sussex County and receives widespread community support.
     "The program has expanded over the years with more students,
more faculty and more courses offered. Many of our students are
well qualified and successful-two have been UD valedictorians,
and two have been named Delaware Teacher of the Year," he pointed
out.
     Students enrolled at Georgetown also can complete their
baccalaureate degrees by enrolling in four-year programs in
liberal studies, criminal justice, engineering technology and
general agriculture, and at Dover in criminal justice and
engineering technology. In the future, there may be other four-
year baccalaureate programs available, Callahan said.
                                      -Sue Swyers Moncure