# Wilmington University

Wilmington University (WilmU) is a private university with its main campus in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It was established in 1968 by educator Donald E. Ross as Wilmington College and was renamed Wilmington University in 2007.

## History

Founded in 1968, Wilmington University began with a small group of students under the leadership of Donald Ross. The institution experienced significant growth over the following decades, particularly under the presidency of Audrey K. Doberstein, expanding its enrollment to over 10,000 students by 2006. The name change to Wilmington University in 2007 was aimed at better reflecting its broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

## Campuses

The main campus is located in Wilmington Manor, a census-designated place in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware. It includes key facilities such as the Pratt Student Center and the Wilson Graduate Center. Additionally, Wilmington University operates several other campuses in Delaware, including in Dover and Georgetown, as well as partner locations in New Jersey and Maryland.

## Academics

Wilmington University offers a wide array of programs through its seven colleges:
* The College of Arts & Sciences provides undergraduate and graduate programs in liberal studies, environmental science, and communication.
* The College of Education and Liberal Arts offers accredited teacher preparation programs.
* The College of Business delivers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in business disciplines and is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.
* The College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences focuses on completion programs for registered nurses and includes a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
* The College of Social & Behavioral Sciences features programs in areas such as political science and clinical mental health counseling.
* The College of Technology is recognized for its information assurance and cybersecurity programs, while the College of Online & Experiential Learning manages the university's online offerings.
* The School of Law, as of March 2025, is provisionally accredited by the American Bar Association.

## Athletics

Wilmington University's athletic teams, known as the Wildcats, compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The Wilmington University Athletic Complex in Bear, Delaware, serves as the primary facility for various sports, including basketball, soccer, and lacrosse.

## Notable alumni

* Anthony Allison, professional soccer player
* Hugh T. Broomall, major general, United States Air Force
* Richard C. Cathcart, former house majority leader, Delaware House of Representatives
* Dril, Twitter personality
* Bushra Gohar, politician
* Thomas P. Gordon, county executive, New Castle County, Delaware
* Ruth Briggs King, member, Delaware House of Representatives
* Trinidad Navarro, Insurance Commissioner of Delaware
* Charles Potter Jr., member, Delaware House of Representatives
* David D. Rudolph, member, Maryland House of Delegates
* Terry R. Spence, former speaker, Delaware House of Representatives
* Peter C. Schwartzkopf, speaker, Delaware House of Representatives
* Francis D. Vavala, adjutant general, State of Delaware
* R. Thomas Wagner Jr., Delaware's auditor of accounts

## Notable faculty

* Jennifer Cohan, Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary
* Henry Milligan, actor, engineer, and professional boxer
* Lem Burnham, former director and vice president for player & employee development at the National Football League (NFL), former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end, current vice president for the Philadelphia chapter of NFL Alumni.