Thursday, July 19, 2007
Gov. Minner Appoints Two New Members to State Board of Education
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner has appointed Mr. Jorge L. Melendez and Dr. Terry M. Whittaker to the Delaware State Board of Education, both of whom began their terms at today’s meeting.
“We are proud of our commitment to excellence in education in Delaware and are pleased to add members of such outstanding quality to our State Board of Education,” Gov. Minner said. “Mr. Melendez and Dr. Whittaker bring many skills and talents to the Board, and we appreciate their time and effort on the behalf of the children of our state.”
Melendez, of Seaford, is an assistant vice president and branch manager for Mercantile Peninsula Bank in Selbyville. Mr. Melendez attended Fordham University and Delaware Technical and Community College. He also acts as a banking community liaison to the Hispanic community.
Melendez replaced Greg Hastings, who recently became a member of the General Assembly, for a term that expires in 2010.
Whittaker, of Middletown, is the assistant provost for student diversity and success at the University of Delaware in Newark and previously served as the assistant dean for undergraduate academic affairs. He also developed and managed programs to enhance student diversity, such as the Fortune Program for Minority Students in Business and Economics. Whittaker, a founding board member of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, received his doctorate from the University of Delaware, his Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and his Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Whittaker has replaced Dr. Claibourne Smith, whose term expired in 2005, and will serve a term that expires in 2013.
