Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr. The American Space Program and how it relates to gender culture is the subject of a free public book talk at Del Mar College (DMC) by Dr. Erinn McComb, History Professor with the college’s Social Sciences Department, who will discuss her debut book, “Gender and the Race for Space: Masculinity and the American Astronaut” (1957-1983). The free lecture begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, in Wolfe Recital Hall on Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404), online directions and campus map. This event is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Dr. Paul Gottemoller, DMC Chair of the Social Sciences Department, at pgottemo@delmar.edu or at 361-698-1698. Released in June by Anthem Press, Dr. McComb’s book draws from years of research and rich archival interviews, especially those conducted by Dr. Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, formerly of the Johnson Space Center. Ross-Nazzal conducted dozens of interviews with former NASA employees, including the first six female astronauts.  Dr. McComb’s book explores how masculinity shaped American spaceflight during the Cold War, particularly in NASA’s early astronaut selection process and public image. Her presentation will dive into how American gender culture influenced which individuals were deemed fit for space — and which were left grounded. Based on her doctoral dissertation, the book took nearly five years to complete and weaves together historical testimony, including the voices of early female astronauts — most notably, Dr. Sally K. Ride — and aerospace engineers navigating a male-dominated field. Dr. McComb also discusses competing narratives heading into the shuttle era––one that championed women’s capabilities, and another that diminished them by suggesting the shuttle was “so safe, even a woman could fly it.” In her book, Dr. McComb argues the American astronaut image was informed by early Cold War ideals of masculinity that helped mold a distinctly American (anti-communist) masculinity, which appeared — on the surface anyway — to resolve not only an American “crisis of masculinity” but helped win the Cold War on an ideological and popular level. At the heart of the talk scheduled Sept. 24 is a powerful message: “Gender culture has always shaped opportunities,” Dr. McComb notes. “Often, even if legal barriers weren’t in the way, people shied away from doing what they really wanted because of fears of social ridicule. The stories of the men and women in the book demonstrate that we as individuals should do it anyway. These individuals reached their potential and their individual fulfillment despite barriers, social ridicule or fear.” While books will not be available for purchase at the event, copies of ‘Gender and the Race for Space’ are available online on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites and will be housed in the Del Mar College White Library on the Heritage Campus for public access.    

Article by DMC College Relations For more than 40 years, Lenora Keas has helped shape Del Mar College’s growth and strengthen its role as a partner to students, employers, and communities across the Coastal Bend. As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, she has collaborated with faculty, administrators, industry leaders, and community partners to expand opportunities that change lives and move the region forward. Her journey from instructor in 1982 to professor, department chair, vice president, chief financial officer and ultimately executive vice president and chief operating officer is more than a résumé. It is a story of leadership, resilience and vision that has transformed both Del Mar College and the communities it serves. From reimagining academic and workforce programs in collaboration with the Del Mar College Board of Regents, college administration and regional employers to securing multimillion-dollar bonds that reshaped facilities and created the Oso Creek Campus, Keas has continually positioned Del Mar College to meet the evolving needs of students and industry alike. She also helped secure major partner gifts that led to the development of the world-class industrial pilot plant complex on the Windward Campus. In January 2026, Keas will retire as Del Mar College’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, capping a 43-year career defined by persistence, collaboration and impact. Keas’ influence has extended well beyond campus. She has served for nearly 25 years on the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Board, including as Chair and as a member of key executive committees. She has also been a dedicated member of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation and working with industry partners as they came into the region. While she is retiring, Keas will not be stepping away entirely. She will continue to advise and help shepherd key projects for Del Mar College, ensuring their success with the same steady hand that has defined her career. Del Mar College will initiate a search to fill the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer position this fall.    

Article by Melinda Eddleman Presidential power—what the Constitution permits and forbids—has been debated since the founding of the United States, and views on this issue have shifted over time. For example, Theodore Roosevelt believed that a president’s authority is restricted only by what the Constitution and law explicitly prohibit. This interpretation gave rise to the modern presidency, making the office far more powerful than originally intended. The current administration aims to expand presidential power even further, and the strategy involves asserting powers that contradict established laws and judicial precedents, effectively seeking to push the courts to redefine the limits of the presidency. The outcomes of these legal battles will shape the scope of presidential authority for years to come. On Friday, Sept. 19, as Del Mar College’s Constitution Day 2025 observance, the Social Sciences Department is hosting a free lecture, “The Constitution and The Presidency,” by Harvard University’s Dr. Thomas E. Patterson, Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press with the Harvard Kennedy School.  The lecture begins at 11 a.m. in Wolfe Recital Hall located adjacent to Viking Hall on the Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd., 78404 (get online directions and campus map). Inquiries can be directed  to Dr. Adrian Clark, DMC Professor of Government and Political Science, at 361-698-1639 or aclark14@delmar.edu or the DMC Social Sciences Department at 361-698-1228. “For over 25 years, Professor Patterson has introduced successive generations of undergraduate college students to American politics through his authorship of ‘We The People,’ which is one of the leading American Government textbooks,” said Dr. Adrian Clark, DMC Professor of Government and Political Science. “Dr. Patterson is also a nationally recognized expert on media, public opinion and democratic governance.” Dr. Clark added, “His writings and lectures are characterized by a remarkable ability to communicate complex and insightful ideas and concepts with great clarity, elegance and precision.” As a prolific writer, Dr. Patterson’s influential books include “Informing the News: The Need for Knowledge-Based Reporting,” “How America Lost Its Mind: The Assault on Reason That’s Crippling Our Democracy” and “Is the Republican Party Destroying Itself?”— each tackling the challenges American democracy faces today. Other works, such as “The Vanishing Voter” and “Out of Order,” have shaped political communication scholarship with “Out of Order” earning the American Political Science Association’s 2002 Doris Graber Award for best political communication book of the decade. “By agreeing to come to Del Mar College, Thomas Patterson is providing students, faculty and community members with a remarkable opportunity to see one of the nation’s leading political scientists in person,” noted Dr. Clark, adding: “And, participants will benefit from his informed perspective on the changing nature of the American presidency in the context of the overall framework of our constitutional system of governance.” Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a thought-provoking lecture from one of the most influential voices in American political deliberation as the DMC community reflects on the Constitution, the health of the nation’s democracy and the role of informed citizenship in observance of Constitution Day 2025. About Constitution Day Sept. 17 marks a significant day in United States history. On that date in 1787, the country’s forefathers signed the final draft of the U.S. Constitution, which has stood the test of time for 238 years. In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act requiring all educational institutions receiving federal funding to observe Constitution Day, which is officially Sept. 17 every year.  This year, Del Mar College will observe Constitution Day on Sept. 19 with the guest lecture by Dr. Thomas Patterson.    

Article by DMC College Relations Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map. The regular meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 12:55 p.m. A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online as follows: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regular-agenda-packet-september-9-2025.pdf or download the PDF file from the upper right-hand column. Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html. The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.    

Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr.  The start of the Fall semester at Del Mar College can only mean one thing – it’s time to go back to the helm!  For the benefit of land lovers and those who become seasick on the bumper boats at In the Game Funtrackers, some context may help: The helm is essentially the steering station of a ship. And for DMC Vikings, the end of summer means the long stretch of rudderless days is over – it’s time to get back aboard the sailing craft and prepare to navigate the challenging seas of the academic journey ahead.     The college held its inaugural Back to the Helm Parking Lot Party — a celebration of making it through the first week of the fall 2025 semester – on Sept. 4. The event was sponsored by the DMC Office of Student Leadership and Campus Life and College Relations. The event was also a celebration of the success of the Freedom to Dream waiver program, which enrolled more than 1,770 students who are in class this fall.   Students enjoyed the opportunity to patronize food trucks such as Kona Ice, Wednesday’s Coffee Bar and Micro Bakery and Jefe’s Tacos. Event organizers also arranged various activities, free giveaways and music from DJIT. Beverly Cage, Director of the Office of Student Leadership and Campus Life, said visitors spent time in the inflatable Toxic obstacle course as well as the four-seat Euro Bungy trampoline attraction. The Euro Bungy trampoline ride allows up to 4 riders to bounce higher and higher utilizing the inflated trampoline pad beneath each harness seat. The parking lot party also included several yard games. Whether students are new to Del Mar or returning for another year, the event served as an ideal opportunity to relax, meet fellow Vikings and celebrate the start of the semester. And family members were invited to participate in the fun as well. “It’s a great chance for students to meet new classmates, reconnect with familiar faces and build their social support networks in a fun and relaxed setting,” adds Rita Hernandez, the college’s Dean of Student Engagement and Retention. “Students have the opportunity to engage with faculty and staff as they are welcomed to the Viking Campus Community and know they are right where they belong.”

Article by DMC College Relations On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold public hearings on the adoption of the budget and tax rate beginning at 11:30 a.m. and noon, respectively. A called meeting is also scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. and an audit committee meeting at 1:15 p.m. Both public hearings, the called meeting and the audit committee meeting will be held in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples (78411). (Get online directions and map.) The two public hearings, called meeting and audit committee meeting will be livestreamed. Community members may access the hearings and meetings by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 11:25 a.m. and 11:55 a.m., respectively, for the public hearings, 12:25 p.m. for the called meeting and 1:10 p.m. for the audit committee meeting.  Access to the Aug. 26 Agenda Notices is provided online using the following links: • Budget Adoption Hearing (11:30 a.m.): https://www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/public-hearing-packet-budget-8-26-25.pdf  • Tax Rate Adoption Hearing (Noon): https://www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/public-hearing-packet-tax-rate-8-26-25.pdf  • Called Meeting (12:30 p.m.): https://www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-packet-8-26-25.pdf • Audit Committee Meeting (1:15 p.m.): https://www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/audit-committee-meeting-packet-8-26-25.pdf  Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html. The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the college’s current guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.