First Lady Pool Reports of November 15, 2024

FLOTUS Pool Report #1 – First Lady Jill Biden attends Delaware Tech for Student Success Center dedication ceremony

First Lady Jill Biden visited Delaware Technical Community College's Stanton Campus on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the dedication of the newly renovated Student Success Center in her honor. 

FLOTUS arrived at the ceremony dressed in a purple suit, greeted by Delaware Tech students and faculty. Among those in attendance were Delaware Governor John Carney, First Lady Tracey Carney, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Senator Chris Coons, and Delaware Tech President Dr. Mark Brainard.

Vice President and Campus Director Dan Ehmann opened the ceremony, welcoming Dr. Biden back to the Stanton Campus, where she began her teaching career in 1993. He reminisced about the shared history between Dr. Biden and the college, noting her early days teaching English in offices with leaky windows and 1970s carpeting. 

"What she would not know, because she left the college in 2009 to do bigger and better things, is that we still had those exact same conditions in this building up until four years ago," said Ehmann, emphasizing the significance of the recent renovations. Senator Coons spoke next, reflecting on Jill Biden's long-standing commitment to education. He emphasized the impact of community colleges on Delaware's economy and praised FLOTUS as an inspirational figure in education, particularly for her dedication to community college students. 

"I cannot think of a better person to have their name on a Student Success Center—the person who has taught, challenged, and inspired us all with what grace, leadership, class, and dignity can mean in the midst of challenging times," said Coons.

Mark T. Brainard, Delaware Tech's president, followed with a tribute to Jill Biden's influence both at the college and nationwide. He thanked the First Lady for her advocacy, particularly during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the campus was transformed into a vaccination site and a hub for community support. 

"I just can't go on any longer without saying to Dr. Biden, that on behalf of the entire Delaware Tech community, the next time you see the President, please tell him that we have a lot of gratitude and please express our heartfelt gratitude to him for his leadership over the last few years," Brainard said.

Tashuana Clarke, a Delaware Tech nursing graduate and recipient of the Joe and Jill Biden Scholarship, shared her journey from immigrant to nurse. She credited the support she received from Delaware Tech and the Biden Scholarship for helping her achieve her goals. 

"This scholarship came at a pivotal moment and motivated me to persevere. It not only alleviated the financial burden of my education but also allowed me to focus on my studies without having to worry about the additional costs of transportation and child care," said Clarke as she described the impact of the scholarship on her life.

FLOTUS took the podium at 2:50 PM. She opened by thanking the crowd, acknowledging friends and colleagues who played a role in her teaching journey. "It's good to be home," she said.

FLOTUS spoke about the critical role community colleges play in creating pathways to well-paying jobs. "And the thing I love about community colleges is that they're flexible. They meet students right where they are, and help them get where they want to go," she said. She highlighted the importance of resources like the new Student Success Center, which will serve as a central hub for student support, mentoring, and academic guidance.

She also talked about her time as a teacher at Delaware Tech, recalling students who juggled work, family, and education to better their futures. She emphasized that community colleges are at the heart of strengthening the middle class and praised the faculty and staff for their dedication to student success. Her remarks ended at 2:58 PM.

The event concluded with a formal unveiling of the Student Success Center plaque, which bears FLOTUS' name and a quote from her about the power of teaching. The audience started the countdown for the unveiling of the plaque, leading to applause and cheers when it was revealed.

Jill Biden did not take any questions from reporters but stayed to greet students and faculty members.

No media interviews followed the event.