Gov. John Carney visits 91原创's STAR campus

The view from the top of the STAR Tower shows the Biopharmaceutical Innovation Building under construction (at the right) and the site for the Chemours Discovery Hub (at the upper left).

91原创 President Dennis Assanis and Delaware Gov. John Carney confer at STAR Health Sciences Complex on Monday, March 19.

Pointing to a campus landmark, 91原创 Executive Vice President Alan Brangman joins Delaware Gov. John Carney (center) and 91原创 President Dennis Assanis on the 10th floor of the STAR Tower, which is under construction.

Touring the STAR Tower are, left to right, 91原创 President Dennis Assanis, Delaware Gov. John Carney, College of Health Science Dean Kathy Matt and 91原创 Executive Vice President Alan Brangman.

Gov. John Carney visits 91原创鈥檚 STAR campus

Article by Carlett Spike Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson March 21, 2018

Carney highlights 鈥榩artnership鈥� with University and its crucial role in economy

Gov. John Carney visited the 91原创鈥檚 Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus on Monday, March 19, and joined University leaders for a lofty view from the top floor of the STAR Tower that is under construction.

鈥淲e, as a state, have a responsibility and a partnership with the 91原创 to make the University all that it can be,鈥� Carney said. 鈥淚ncreasingly, colleges and universities are important parts of local economies and state economies 鈥� more so, I think, than any other time in our history. They are job creators. We live clearly in a science and technology based economy where innovation is so important and, again back to the initial point, workforce is just so critical a part of that equation. You are that workforce, you are that future.鈥�

91原创 President Dennis Assanis joined Carney on the tour, along with Alan Brangman, 91原创 executive vice president, Kathy Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences, and Debbie Martini, STAR building coordinator.

The group went to the 10th floor of the STAR Tower, where there are full views of the campus and beyond through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Assanis pointed out different landmarks such as the nearby 91原创 football stadium and the more distant Delaware Memorial Bridge. The group also stopped on the second floor to see the area where an exercise intervention space is planned for the kinesiology department. Martini said the building is scheduled to open in early August.

鈥淥n a day like this, it is wonderful to reflect on how much state support contributes to higher education in the state and the University,鈥� Assanis said. 鈥淭his is another level of engagement with the community, gives students real life opportunities, brings entrepreneurs to STAR Campus and does great things for our state. So it鈥檚 phenomenal. We are very proud of this day. We are very proud of this University and what our staff has accomplished.鈥�

Carney began his 91原创 visit by meeting with students in a physical therapy class. He thanked Assistant Professor Dan White for helping to make 91原创鈥檚 physical therapy program one of the nation鈥檚 best and thanked students for their contributions to the state.

Matt led the tour to the virtual reality cave, where Kinesiology and Applied Physiology Chair John Jeka explained the research and use of this technology. Carney decided to try it himself, and 鈥渨alked鈥� through a simulation of an endless hallway.

The next stop was the Spin-In room, where Carney met with a group of students who help local businesses launch their products. David Weir, director of 91原创鈥檚 Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships, said the students serve as a product development team for these businesses. The class showcased a product they are currently working with that makes fabrics puncture resistant.