Also, the Career Services Office Is Dedicated in Memory of Barbara Kaplan
Wilmington College’s large green-handled scissors and seven feet of wide, lime-colored ribbon took center stage Wednesday (April 23) when WC’s Buren Center for Business was christened as the newest academic facility on campus.
Housed on the main floor of Bailey Hall, the center features a large conference room, a lobby/lounge area with a stock ticker and illuminated, world time zone display and offices for Wilmington College Online, the Master of Organizational Leadership program and the Center for Career Services.
Tim Buren, a WC alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees, provided the financial support to transform what previously housed the Campus Health Clinic and a student lounge into the shining new Buren Center for Business, which was opened and fully functional earlier this spring term.
Buren said the main floor of Bailey hadn’t changed much since he was a student in the 1980s in marveling at the new space. “Our business program is the second largest academic area on campus. I want our business students to think of success when they walk in here,” he said, noting his role as trustee has served to enhance his affinity for his alma mater. “In the years since I was a student at Wilmington College, I’ve especially grown very fond of the College’s values and principles.”
Buren is a 1983 Wilmington College alumnus who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He heads The Buren Insurance Group Inc., which employs 32 associates across four locations. His largest focus is working with agencies all over Ohio and the surrounding states “to help them grow their revenue, build their agencies and perpetuate their life’s work.“
President Corey Cockerill thanked Buren for his extraordinary dedication to his alma mater and support for WC students. She mentioned that the renovation of Bailey Hall, which was constructed in 1909, will be completed this summer, when the entryways will be made ADA-compliant. The president also mentioned having fond memories from her time as a faculty member when she and Barbara Kaplan both had offices in Robinson Communication Center.
Indeed, another major part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was attended by the Board of Trustees, College administration and guests, was the dedication of the Career Services Office in Kaplan's memory. She served as director of career resources for many years during her 32 years of dedicated service to the institution. A plaque at the office entrance notes the distinction.
Kaplan, a 1972 WC alumna, pivoted from her career as a school teacher and returned to her alma mater in 1981 as executive assistant to the president and director of alumni affairs before becoming dean of students and, ultimately, serving as director of career resources. She retired from that position in 2013 and, sadly, passed away in 2021.
Benjamin Kaplan, also an alumnus of the College, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony with his and Barbara’s daughters, Emma and Rachel, and their guests. He noted that Barbara was "committed to the dreams and potential" of Wilmington College students.
“Fifty-five years ago, Barbara and I were on this campus together — we fell in love here,” he said, noting his wife’s progression of positions at WC to, ultimately, director of career resources. “She thought the most important thing she could do was to help students find jobs and start their careers.
“Barbara enjoyed everything about the College!”
PICTURED: Cutting the ribbon are, from the left, President Corey Cockerill, Emma Kaplan, Benjamin Kaplan, Board of Trustees Chair Daniel Buckley, Trustee and Buren Center namesake Tim Buren and Rachel Kaplan.