A woman who was associated with Delaware Technical & Community College before the college officially opened was recently inducted into the hall of fame at the Owens Campus.

Candace “Candy” Abbott, of Georgetown, was honored for her dedication and outstanding service to the college. A bronze plaque will hang in the foyer of the Stephen J. Betze Library in recognition of her contributions.

Abbot’s former supervisor, Dr. Timothy Kavel, retired vice president and campus director, described Abbot as an excellent communicator who is trustworthy, honest and competent.

Originally from East Orange, N.J., Abbott moved to Delaware at the age of 6, lived for five years in Bermuda as a teenager and graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in Dover.

Abbott began her career in the Delaware Economic Department, now known as the state’s Economic Development Office, in 1966. As a secretary in the industrial division, she was able to host meetings and communicate with the founders of Delaware Tech, namely Dr. William A. Carter and Paul K. Weatherly.

In July 1973, Abbott began her 28-year tenure as an employee of Delaware Tech. She worked for a month as an administrative secretary in the Office of the President in Dover until a position as executive secretary to the campus director at the Southern Campus (now Owens) became available. She worked with the college’s first campus director, Jack F. Owens, for 23 years and second campus director, Kavel, for five years.

The title executive secretary does not begin to describe everything Abbott did during her career at the college. She was responsible for full-time personnel and payroll work, served as a secretary to the administrative council, worked with the employee enrichment committee, participated in the planning of events and initiated suggestion boxes around campus.

Abbott also played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Owens Campus chapter of Crusade for Christ, a Christian organization for students, which is still active on campus.
While working at Delaware Tech, Abbott was inspired to write, which has led to her success as a publisher, author and inspirational speaker. Her first nonfiction book, “Fruitbearer, What Can I Do For You, Lord?” is in its third edition. She is currently working on a spiritual fantasy trilogy; the first book, “Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp,” was released in 2007. Several of her inspirational short stories have been printed in anthologies, such as “Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul.”

Abbott has been extremely busy since retiring from Delaware Tech in 2002. She is the founder/director of the Delmarva Christian Writers Fellowship, a member of Toastmasters International, an ordained elder and deacon in the Presbyterian church, and co-founder of Sisters in Christ, a women’s prayer ministry. She also is managing partner of Fruitbearer Publishing, a company she and her husband formed in 1999.

Abbott and her husband Drew have three children: her daughter Kim Bullock and his daughter Dana Abbott-Painter and son Troy Abbott. They delight in four grandchildren: Kade, Saige, Natalie and Trevor.

The hall of fame is a tribute to full-time Owens Campus employees who have served the college with distinction and have contributed to the growth, quality and public acceptance of the Owens Campus.