David Gruber
Physical Therapist Assistant
Life took David Gruber away from his first college experience and into a 19-year career in video production. When he was ready to change careers, though, he returned to Delaware Tech.
Gruber had been a nursing student at the College in 2004. He decided to move to Maryland and started working in the video production field filming weddings and a variety of special events. He eventually even owned his own business.
"As I got into my mid-thirties, I knew I wanted a change in life," Gruber said. "Pursuing a career in healthcare was something I was still passionate about. I moved back to Delaware, and I sold most of my equipment from my business to help pay for school."
After initially enrolling as a surgical tech student, Gruber decided to turn his interest in fitness into a career through the physical therapist assistant (PTA) program.
"I researched different opportunities and having been into exercise and fitness my whole life, the PTA program was the perfect fit," Gruber said. "Before entering the program, students were given the chance to shadow PTAs at work and I knew this was something I would really enjoy doing."
Since it had been about 20 years since he had been in a classroom, Gruber had a lot of challenges to overcome. He had to balance his classes around studying and writing papers, and he utilized the tutoring and writing centers to help with his papers and to get back into the groove of being in college.
"I have learned that I can embrace change coming back to school after so many years," Gruber said. "Going back to school was on my mind but I was unsure of how to make it work. I've developed strong discipline and a study/work ethic that has helped me succeed in my classes. Completing my degree has been my focus the past few years."
Gruber is also a musician and said his dream job would be to make a living by playing music and touring the world. For now, once he graduates he will happily begin working as a PTA and wants to further his education within the PTA field.
- Calendar of Events
- Clubs & Organizations
- Dover Clubs
- Alpha Beta Gamma
- Architecture Civil Club/AIAS
- Black Student Alliance
- Criminal Justice Organization
- Culinary Arts Club
- Drumline
- Education Club
- Gamers Club
- International Club
- LGBT+ Allies
- Phi Theta Kappa
- Science Club
- Student American Dental Hygienist Association
- Student Government Association
- Student Legal Association
- Student Nurses Association
- Veterans Inspiring Progress Club (VIP)
- Georgetown Clubs
- Alpha Beta Gamma
- Automotive East Coast Performance Club
- Black Student Alliance
- Collegiate FFA
- Computer Club
- Criminal Justice Club
- Education Club
- Human Services Club
- Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX)
- Medical Assistant Laboratory Technician Association
- Occupational Therapy Assistant Club
- Outdoor Adventures
- Phi Theta Kappa
- Physical Therapist Assistant Club
- Radiologic Technology Club (Rad Tech)
- Respiratory Care Club (RCC)
- Student Government Association (SGA)
- Student Nurses Association (SNA)
- Study Abroad Club
- Veterans Inspiring Progress Club (VIP)
- Veterinary Technology Club (VETTECH)
- Stanton Clubs
- Wilmington Clubs
- Alpha Beta Gamma
- American Dental Hygienists’ Association
- Black Student Alliance
- Business Club
- Dental Hygiene Club
- Education Club
- GLBT Club (Colors)
- Human Services Club
- InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
- International Club
- Math Club
- Network, Information & Computer Science Club
- Phi Theta Kappa
- Photography Club
- Spectrum United
- Student Government Association
- Veterans Inspiring Progress Club (VIP)
- Dover Clubs
- Athletics
- Dining Services
- Parking and Transportation
- Student Spotlight
- Ally Marly
- Andrea Villalobos
- Andrew Cretella
- Angelo Demesa
- Ann Marie Kauffman
- Anson Stuart
- Anthony Evans
- Azucena Ortiz
- Bianca Garcia-Martinez
- Breanne Bynum
- Brittany Perry
- Caitlin McCutchan
- Camryn Quirk
- Camryn Wingate
- Carly Collins
- Celina Lombardi
- Chad Reichhold
- Chris Proano
- Christian Alvarez
- Christian Wood
- Christine Gutowski
- Criss Vasquez
- Dana DuQuette
- David Gruber
- Debbie Alston-Collazo
- Ebony Hines
- Ebony Singleton
- Eliana Nunez
- Emilse Hernandez-Olmedo
- Emily Dittman
- Erin Dalik
- Etoile McIvor
- Fernando Sontay
- Flannie Joelle Soumahoro
- Fred Gilles
- Grecia Sorbie
- Hannah Glass
- Hannah Moore
- Issa Diallo
- Jaida Charlemagne
- Jairenis Hidalgo
- Jason O'Connor
- Jax Hackett
- Jose Moran
- Julie Dominick
- Ka'Von Brittingham
- Kaitlyn Cavallucci
- KeAsia Skinner
- Kea Draine
- Kendric Jones
- Kinley Elliott
- Kory Pritchard
- Kylie Kruger
- Lance Miller
- Latoria Walston
- Lily Kwiecien
- Logan Farro
- Maria Lopez
- Mariah Whaley
- Mason Morris
- Matt Rodriguez
- Meryem Aydin
- MicKenzie Matarese
- Morgan McGee
- Nathaniel Hague
- Nelson Smith
- Nicholas Phillips
- Phania Lebrun
- Ragiata Bah
- Ranada Pritchett
- Rebecca Bell
- Rodneesha Jenkins
- Rylee Pettyjohn
- Samantha Price
- Sara Figurski
- Sarah Hunsicker
- Shanon Biggs
- Sheldon Fisher
- Skylar Luc
- Tahmida Sultana
- Taylor Sivels
- Thi (Tina) Nguyen
- Thuyvi Le
- Traci Humphries
- Victoria Brown
- Victoria Henry
- Wilfredo Ferrer III
- Will Turner
- Wilmar Aguilar
- Yesenia Hernandez
- Yonathan Gonzalez
- Meet Our Faculty and Staff