April 12, 2022 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Kennett committee supporting Ukraine

KSQPlantSale — This year’s Kennett Beautification Committee Plant Sale is Saturday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 1, at Pratt’s Greenhouse, 634 Hillendale Road in Avondale.

International news can sometimes have an impact on local news. The latest example of that is the war in Ukraine and how it’s influencing this year’s Kennett Beautification Committee Plant Sale, which is a little more than two weeks away.

“These people are farmers,” said committee member JoAnn Donlick in a press release, “and they cannot plant this year.”

Those people Donlick referred to are the farmers of Ukraine. Agriculture is that country’s largest export industry.

In a telephone interview, Donlick said they always feature a plant at the sale, but it had to be sunflowers this year because of the war, something that is emotional for her.

“It’s a strange feeling. Our ancestry is Eastern Europe,” she said, explaining that her husband’s maternal grandfather is from the Ukrainian/Russian border, land that has changed hands multiple times over the centuries.

While Southern Chester County residents eagerly await the spring planting season, Donlick and her fellow committee members are raising awareness and showing solidarity with Ukrainians by featuring sunflowers.

“We’ll have sunflower starts, and seed packets as well,” Donlick said. “Sunflowers are a powerhouse providing food, shade, and energy in addition to being pollinators and there are many different cultivars, from tall varieties to smaller ones.” [Cultivars are a plant variety that has been produced by selective breeding.]g

Donlick followed up with an email saying, “Kennett Square Beautification Committee chose the sunflower, Ukraine’s National Flower as their featured plant this year to show solidarity for Ukraine and increase the level of awareness as to its symbolic meaning that is so deeply embedded in their culture.

“Amidst the Russian invasion, the sunflower has become a symbol of resistance in their fight for freedom. Self-starting pots of sunflowers and seeds will be available to purchase so the public will experience first-hand the warmth and power of the sun as well as embrace the culture of Ukraine.”

She continued, saying the result of the sale would be the beautification of Kennett Square and a financial donation in support of the Ukrainian people. The donation will be made for Ukraine Humanitarian Aid thru Sunflower of Peace. Donlick said that group “provides medical and humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine that have been impacted by the violence of the Russian invasion.”

As for the local nature of the sale, Donlick said even people without a lot of space could use plants to brighten their homes with window boxes and hanging baskets. And with the exception of money being donated to Ukraine, the rest of the money coming in from the sale will go toward paying for spring and summer plantings for the beautification of the borough.

The sale is planned for Saturday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 1, at Pratt’s Greenhouse, 634 Hillendale Road in Avondale.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

Kennett committee supporting Ukraine Read More »

DCCC and Susquehanna U join forces

School & Education

04.11.22.FINAL.SU.DCCC.Screen Capture Dual Admission Transfer Agreement (2) (2).JGB ok — Delaware County Community College President L. Joy Gates Black and Susquehanna University President Jonathan Green announce the new dual admission transfer agreement between the two higher education institutions.

Delaware County Community College and Susquehanna University have signed a transfer agreement whereby qualified students at the college can earn a bachelor’s degree at substantial tuition savings by transferring after earning their associate degree into the four-year university. Through this partnership, qualified students also can receive merit-based scholarships of up to $32,000 a year, with an additional $5,000 scholarship available per year for students in Phi Theta Kappa, the College’s academic honor society.

This new dual admission agreement may be of particular interest to students seeking a bachelor’s credential at a small, rural university with a low student-to-faculty ratio. Students may be able to pursue some or all of their associate degree coursework online at Delaware County Community College and then transfer to Susquehanna University in Central Pennsylvania for an on-campus experience to complete their baccalaureate degree.

Located in Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a private school that offers educational opportunities that combine a liberal arts and sciences curriculum through its 100+ majors and minors with a strong focus on career development. It is the College’s first dual admission agreement with the University. The agreement allows qualifying students who graduate with either an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or an Associate in Fine Arts to receive guaranteed acceptance to the University. Students transferring into a parallel major who have properly sequenced their coursework will only have four full-time semesters remaining to earn their bachelor’s degree.

“This agreement will offer significant opportunities for Delaware County Community College students who choose to transfer to Susquehanna University after completing their associate degree,” said Delaware County Community College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black. “We are appreciative of all the work that has gone into making this agreement a reality and we are excited about what this will mean for our students and our communities.”

“There are few, if any, investments that have a greater impact on our nation than providing an affordable pathway to higher education, and the return on this investment is very real,” Susquehanna University President Jonathan Green said. “On average, college graduates earn more than $1 million in lifetime income above those who do not complete college degrees, are more likely to remain employed in times of high unemployment and are well prepared to be informed and engaged citizens. We look forward to ensuring a smooth transition for Delaware County Community College graduates who come to Susquehanna to complete their bachelor’s degrees in preparation for an even brighter future.”

The agreement, which waives the university’s application fees, also requires students to complete an “Intent to Enroll” form with a Delaware County Community College transfer advisor prior to having earned 30 credits. Interested students can apply by June 1 for fall semester enrollment or by October 1 for spring semester enrollment this year. All scholarships may be renewed for up to four (4) semesters for students earning an associate degree contingent upon students earning at least 30 credits each academic year at the University. Scholarships are for the fall and spring semesters only. Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and students may be eligible for need-based and other types of financial aid.

First opened in 1858 as The Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Susquehanna University was founded to serve first-generation students. In the 2020-21 academic year, 47 percent of all Delaware County Community College’s students were first-generation students. Today, three out of 10 of the University’s students are the first in their families to attend college.

For additional information about the new dual admission transfer agreement, contact Delaware County Community College’s Transfer Office at 610-359-5060 or email transferoffice@dccc.edu, or contact the Susquehanna University’s Office of Admission at 570-372-4260 or email suadmiss@susqu.edu.