Stellar event
Former Chrysler employees, Newark community members celebrate at STAR
10:34 a.m., Nov. 4, 2015--The University of Delaware College of Health Sciences had a full house of more than 250 guests for the Chrysler and community celebration held Friday, Oct. 30, at the University’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus.
The South College Avenue site, which houses UD’s Health Sciences Complex, is the former home of a Chrysler assembly plant, the roots of which run deep in Newark’s history, dating back to tank-building during the Korean War.
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The open house was a chance for former workers, many of whom had not set foot on the site since the plant closing, to reunite in their old stomping grounds. Workers pointed to the beams, the old signs, the signed vehicle hoods commemorating 9/11, photos and memorabilia from their time at the facility.
“It was wonderful to see a large gathering of community members touring our facility,” said Susan Conaty-Buck, assistant professor and informatics nurse researcher in the School of Nursing. “Whether it’s primary care, physical therapy or nutrition counseling, people were amazed at all that STAR Campus has to offer.”
Attendees took a short break from exploring the clinics and labs to hear remarks from Kathy Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences, Jim Wolfe, former Chrysler plant manager, and STAR tenants Glasgow Medical Center and Independence Prosthetics.
“We want to deliver health care models that make all Delawareans healthier,” Matt said. “Come be a part of our research and education programs and receive cutting-edge clinical care in our primary care center, our Physical Therapy Clinic, and our new Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.”
There was a wide range of memorabilia and other items from Chrysler’s history, including classic cars, some of which were built in Newark during Wolfe’s time as plant manager.
“I am very impressed with the transformation of this site. If you look around the country, other closed auto plants are sitting empty; this place is alive again,” said Wolfe. “The site has always changed lives and now it’s transforming them with life-changing location.”
While the services and research studies were new to the majority of community visitors, some attendees were current patients of site’s clinics.
One such patient is Newark resident Barbara Sanders, who sought out the Delaware Physical Therapy Clinic for imbalance and a history of falls following a cerebellar (brain) lesion. She credits her student therapists with significantly enhanced balance and the ability to walk longer distances and safely navigate stairs and curbs.
“I thoroughly enjoyed touring STAR Campus. What a beautiful facility,” said Sanders, who is using her improved balance to volunteer as a kindergarten classroom assistant. “The Newark community is so fortunate to have this valuable resource that is open to the public.”
Article by Dante LaPenta
Photos by Lane McLaughlin and courtesy of the College of Health Sciences