(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA • October 4, 2017)—Delaware County Community College will hold a special ceremony at 9 a.m., Friday, October 6 to rename its Advanced Technology Center in honor of former president Dr. Jerome Parker, who retired June 30, after working at the College for 40 years, including 14 years as president.

Dr. Parker played an integral role in the College’s growth from 307 students, when the doors of the College first opened 50 years ago, to 24,000 credit and non-credit students today. The renaming ceremony will recognize Dr. Parker for his personal commitment, leadership and vision in creating and improving the College’s workforce development programs, which have translated into great success for students, local businesses, industries and the many communities served by the College.

Dr. Parker and his family will be in attendance.

The 32,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Center (ATC) houses the College’s workforce development programs, which offer quality, affordable training in advanced manufacturing, automotive technology, plumbing, carpentry, electrical and solar energy, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The ATC is part of the College’s $60 million Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (or STEM) Complex.

The STEM Complex has two parts: a four-story, 105,000-square-foot STEM Center with science, technology, engineering and mathematics classrooms and laboratories, and the ATC. The entire STEM Complex came about because of the vision and foresight of Dr. Parker.