With four locations across the state, Delaware Technical Community College offers academic, technical, community education, and workforce development comprising more than 120 bachelor’s degree, associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs. The College is dedicated to providing quality education that is accessible, relevant, and responsive to labor market and community needs while contributing to Delaware’s economic vitality.
As part of a technology upgrade across its campuses, Delaware Tech renovated the Del-One Conference Center on its Terry Campus in Dover with an array of high-tech audio visual equipment and systems. The main attraction of the project is a nearly 28-foot-wide, 8-foot-high (14x7) Planar® TVF Series LED video wall with a 1.2 pixel pitch (TVF1.2). Completed at the end of January 2023, the large fine-pitch LED display gives the College and other groups the ability to make presentations, conduct video conferencing calls, and show a wide variety of content in multiple configurations .
“A video wall of this caliber really brings our facilities up to a more modern standard,” said Bill Melvin, classroom technology manager at Delaware Tech’s Terry Campus. “We think of it as an investment in our College’s future.” Bill Sahm, senior project engineer at Delaware Audio Visual, which performed the video wall and technology integrations, said the updated space is loaded with an impressive display of AV power. “The room has four 4K PTZ cameras, 40 high-end Shure wireless microphones, 240 data cables and a really robust windowing system with eight 4K HD sources,” Sahm said. “The LED video wall is just phenomenal. The color is beautiful. It’s the ‘wow factor’ for the College.”
Combined with the new audio visual technologies, the LED video wall significantly improves the usability and features of the conference center as a space for rent. In addition to internal Delaware Tech functions, external organizations also use the conference center for corporate events, workshops, governmental conferences, job fairs, private parties, and more.
“During the installation, we were visited by representatives from the Governor’s office and the Department of Transportation,” Sahm said. “They heard that the space was being outfitted with a new AV system and they wanted to take a look. When they laid their eyes on the video wall, they were blown away.”
With the addition of the Planar LED video wall, Delaware Tech is also exploring ways to use the conference center as an educational hub. “We’re working with our instructional designers to create the most effective teaching environment and bring the College into the hybrid learning space,” Melvin said. “At the same time, we are actively using the video wall during campus tours and open houses to attract students and showcase the different programs of study we have at the school. Essentially, the video wall is a massive centerpiece that enhances any event. People are just awestruck when they come in and see it.”
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
