Ms. Patricia R. Edwards graduated in 1982 with an associate degree in Human Services Technology. She went on to earn both a bachelor of arts in Behavioral Science in 1984 and a master of science in Human Resource Management in 1999 from Wilmington College. Her future goal is to complete a masters in Public Relations by the year 2000. Ms. Edwards is a native of Bronx, New York, and first came to Dover as a military spouse in 1972. During her years in Dover, Ms. Edwards has held several positions at the Dover Air Force Base. In many of these positions, Ms. Edwards worked closely with local schools and colleges, developing careers of younger individuals. Currently, Ms. Edwards is the manager of Employment Assistance at the Dover Air Force Base.
Ms. Edwards has been an active community advocate for her daughter's and now her granddaughters' educational development. She has participated in Head Start Programs, reading to children for special functions, Girl Scouts, the Delta Sorority children's fundraisers, Board of Directors for Dover Alliance to Feed the Hungry, was a representative for the Wilmington Dioceses at the National Black Congress in 1997, and was the first vice president of the Terry Campus Alumni Association during 1998-1999. Currently, Ms. Edwards is a member of the Business Industry Education Alliance {BIE), and a member of the Board of Directors for Delaware Parents' Association. Ms. Edwards is being recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for the Department of Corrections in addition to many awards and honors too numerous to mention.
Nominated for her outstanding contributions to Delaware Tech and the community, Ms. Edwards states that she "has a burning desire to complete God's work while she is physically and mentally able and to live in peace and respect man, nature, and beast." Ms. Edwards resides in Dover with her two granddaughters, Jonte and Keshawnna.
The Honorable James L. Hutchison, Sr., fondly known as "Hutch," graduated in 1987 with an associate degree in Criminal Justice. He holds the distinction of being the City of Dover's first full-time mayor. A native of Dover, Mayor Hutchison began his career with the Dover Police Department in 1967. He rose quickly through the ranks and was appointed chief of police in 1988. Among his accomplishments were the cleanup of Kirkwood Street; the initiation of the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) program; bicycle, K-9, and foot patrols; a Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit; and total computerization of the Police Department. Prior to being elected as mayor, he was elected to the at-large seat on the Dover City Council.
An active member of the community, Mayor Hutchison has served numerous organizations, some of which include The Boys and Girls Club of Dover, Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, Capitol City Rotary Club, Military Affairs Committee, Delaware Police Chiefs' Foundation, Elizabeth W. Murphy School, Police Athletic League.
DAFB Affairs Committee, USO Delaware, Salvation Army, and YMCA. He received the United States Air Force Distinguished Citizen Award for Outstanding Community Service in 1992 and was the B.P.O. Elks Citizen of the Year in 1993.
Throughout his career, Mayor Hutchison has learned the value and importance of an education and is committed to providing Delawareans with affordable education. Mayor Hutchison lives in Dover with his wife, Cathleen. They have three children, James L. Hutchison, Jr., Vicki Leone, and Justin Galloway.
Mrs. Ada C. Twitchell graduated in 1985 with an associate degree in Computer Engineering Technology. She went on to earn a bachelor of applied science, in Engineering Technology Management from the University of Delaware in 1999. Currently, Mrs. Twitchell is the technical maintenance and systems coordinator for the Caesar Rodney School District. Prior to her new position, Mrs. Twitchell owned and operated a computer consulting business and was an instructor at Delaware Tech, Terry Campus, in the Computer Engineering Technology Department and Corporate & Community Programs.
For many years, Mrs. Twitchell volunteered as an instructor at her children's school, where she taught introduction to computers for grades four through eight. By utilizing donated computers which she restores, Mrs. Twitchell has set up a computer lab at her church. The computer lab is used as a supplement for learning by providing Biblical computer games, which Mrs. Twitchell downloads from the Internet. Mrs. Twitchell belongs to several honor societies and has received many certificates and awards.
Mrs. Twitchell is known as a reliable and willing team player and an "enthusiastic, knowledgeable, talented, excellent instructor" who is "setting standards for excellence statewide." As stated in a nomination letter by a former instructor, Mrs. Twitchell "exemplifies the very best that a Terry Campus graduate can be." Mrs. Twitchell stated in her letter, "The degree earned from the Terry Campus seems to continue to provide me with both opportunity and delight." She resides in Dover with her three children, Rodney, Jackie, and Adam.