Jim Wolfe, former Chrysler plant manager, said he is impressed with the site transformation at UD's STAR Campus.

Stellar event

Former Chrysler employees, Newark community members celebrate at STAR

TEXT SIZE

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.

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

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

News Media Contact

University of Delaware
Communications and Public Affairs
302-831-NEWS
publicaffairs@udel.edu

UDaily is produced by
Communications and Public Affairs

The Academy Building
105 East Main Street
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716 | USA
Phone: (302) 831-2792
email: publicaffairs@udel.edu
www.udel.edu/cpa