Ask around. Anyone who has worked with Al DiEmedio has glowing reviews and is sad to see him retire. DiEmedio joined then-Wilmington College in 2004 as an assistant professor and program coordinator and was promoted in July of 2006 to director in the College of Education (COE). On paper, his titles are straightforward. In reality, the passionate WilmU ambassador touched the hearts of countless colleagues and mentored thousands of students throughout his distinguished career.
“A running joke in the COE is that everyone in Delaware once had Al DiEmedio as a high school principal,” says COE Dean Dr. John Gray. “While that is not quite true, we would be far better off in this state if it were. Al epitomizes the life and work and values of a true professional educator and wonderful human being, from his experiences as an infantryman in Vietnam, to teaching in and leading several different high schools, to directing higher education programs that produce highly effective teachers for schools in this region.”
Al has always served as a model for others to emulate and has done so with competence, caring and compassion. He will be sorely missed at WilmU, but his impact will persist for many years to come.” — Dr. John Gray
That impact is reflected in sentiments too numerous to list in full, so we’re forced to summarize.
Associate Professor and Chair Dr. Kae Keister calls DiEmedio the “consummate gentleman in all areas of Wilmington University and life in general.” “I first worked with Al on the state level as members and officers of the Delaware Association of School Administrators,” she says. “After my arduous cancer surgery, he was there, right at my bedside, to cheer me on and give me his support. He always had time to listen, a laugh to share, and a love of life for the vital work of educating young people.”
Adjunct Program Coordinator Dr. Joanne Damminger calls DiEmedio “one of the most supportive and professional colleagues with whom I have had the pleasure of working,” while Adjunct Megan Schnetzer says, “he has a presence about him that exudes joy and makes everyone around him feel safe.” Another adjunct, Eleanor Weinglass, says, “Wilmington University’s great loss will be Al’s family’s great gain. They will have his enegy, kindness, intelligence, wisdom, and good humor full-time instead of part-time.” Add to that a sentiment from Praxis Coordinator Ashley Wilson, who calls DiEmedio her “work grandfather.”
Al DiEmedio and his wife, Dianne, with their nine grandchildren: Nikko, Maya, Reagan, Emmi, Chase, Rowan, Tyler, Max and Cameron
Dr. Kathryn Brown, the COE’s Director of Advanced Programs, will miss DiEmedio’s wisdom and humor. “It will feel a bit different going in and sitting in the chair by the door in his office,” she says, “but I’m confident in the good memories it will bring to mind.”
Says Dr. Michele Brewer, chair of the Office of Technology, Assessment, and Compliance, “Al’s approach in guiding students, colleagues, and those in need of a gentle ear is irreplaceable. I will be forever grateful for all the lessons and laughs we shared.”
Undergraduate Student Advocate Dr. James Boyd calls DiEmedio his dear friend of 20 years. “My fondest memory of Al was when we would find ourselves emailing one another at midnight about certain students we were trying to help, until one of us would say, ‘Hey, it’s bedtime!’ I will miss my friend. And, even more important, our students will miss their friend.”
By all accounts, DiEmedio’s influence will be long-lasting, not that saying goodbye is easy. But to paraphrase Winnie the Pooh, how lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.
Friends and colleagues too numerous to list send DiEmedio wishes of good health and happiness in his next chapter. As Dr. Brown says, “Godspeed, Al.”
—Maria Hess