Check out A Brief History of DALC
More than 150 former and current board, staff and volunteers gathered on the lawn of the McConnell Center on Oct. 4 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dover Adult Learning Center.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Minette Induisi, who has been a teacher, counselor, advisor and friend to countless individuals in her more than 40 years with the center.
The award was presented by Warren Dowaliby who got his GED through the Dover Adult Learning Center to be able to work at the Strafford County House of Corrections. He would rise through the ranks to become superintendent in his nearly 30-year career.
“From the time I started, this young lady was at the jail weekly if not more than weekly teaching the inmates,” said Dowaliby. “She is a godsend to all the inmates that were there, that needed help, wanted help and accepted her help.”
He presented her with an award that was inscribed: “In recognition of her boundless energy, deep compassion, transformative impact, and steadfast advocacy for the success of countless individuals over 40 years of service.”
Dover Mayor Bob Carrier read a proclamation honoring the long service of DALC to the Dover area and shared his experiences attending graduations over the years saying that what the graduates have done with their lives, with the help of DALC, is remarkable.
Dover Deputy Mayor Dennis Shanahan read the city council-passed land acknowledgement agreement that recognizes traditional and ancestral homelands that are now occupied as Dover.
U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas said DALC is an impressive community effort that shows how working together can create opportunities for individuals to be able to reach their full potential.
“For five decades this organization has significantly grown and worked to meet the needs of an ever-changing community, from new Americans to folks who need to continue their education and gain new skills, to high school equivalency, language courses, cultural enrichment activities and other sorts of training for the workforce. The work has changed over the last 50 years but is as essential as it has ever been to meet the needs of Dover and the surrounding towns.”
The event was co-hosted by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce as a ribbon cutting to welcome the next 50 years, with refreshments provided by Mezzanine Catering.
Following the ceremony, guests toured a series of exhibits highlighting each decade of DALC history, which included hundreds of photos, newspaper stories and student essays. The exhibit will remain open through the end of the month.
