Del Mar College Foundation announces two new scholarships honoring retiring Executive Vice President and COO Lenora Keas during recent Board of Regents meeting
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December
2025
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15:15 PM
Europe/Amsterdam
Gifted scholarships will keep DMC administrator’s legacy moving forward as resources for students pursuing their dreams locally and in Rockport area; Board also presented Keas’ favorite pelican painting that used to hang in Rockport’s City Hall
Article by Melinda Eddleman
Lenora Keas_DMC Executive vice President and COO_Headshot
She has served in many roles during her 43-year career at Del Mar College (DMC). The list is long and includes such titles as Professor, Department Chair, Executive Director, Interim Provost and more; and currently, Lenora Keas serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
College officials announced Keas’ retirement in September, which will be Jan. 31. During last week’s Board of Regents regular monthly meeting on Dec. 9, regents held a special recognition for Keas to honor her years of service and impact on the lives of students, fellow employees and the business and general communities across South Texas’ Coastal Bend region.
Of Keas, Board Chair Carol A. Scott read, “Her contributions to the college cannot be overstated, and her vision and dedication have left an indelible mark on Del Mar College and the Coastal Bend. The Board of Regents wishes Lenora all the best in her next chapter and with deep gratitude for your years of service to Del Mar College and the students of South Texas.”
Regents then took turns acknowledging working with Keas as and sharing parting words, along with DMC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Escamilla.
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Your years of service here are incomparable in so many ways. There is no replacing you, and we won’t try. That is not possible. Not in our lifetime.
Dr. Mark Escamilla, Del Mar College President and Chief Executive Officer
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Someone in our community who is a big fan of Lenora Keas and her professionalism has created two scholarships in her name. These scholarships will be the Lenora Keas Endowed Scholarship and the Lenora Keas Scholarship for Rockport Workforce Students with the Del Mar College Foundation [managing these scholarships and carrying] on her legacy of impact today and moving forward.
Matthew Busby, DMC Vice President of Development and Donor Advising
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Lenora Keas_DMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Del Mar College Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas addresses the audiences during a joint announcement of the Aransas County Workforce Development Center in Rockport, Texas. The College will offer workforce training, Continuing Education, Career and Technical Education and academic courses to residents in Aransas County and surrounding communities to help rebuild their economies while targeting specific industry jobs needed in that area. (Photo credit: DMC College Relations)
Ready to Take a Swing
Del Mar College (DMC) administrators, Aransas County representatives and a Texas Legislative dignitary pose with the gold-painted sledgehammers in preparation to “take a swing” at a fabricated sheetrock wall to signify the beginning of interior renovations of the former Little Bay Primary School now known as the De l Mar College Workforce Development Center – Aransas County. The renovation launch was held Jan. 30, 2025, with college officials anticipating the re-opening of the facility in Spring 2026. Posing for the group photo are (from left) DMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas; Dr. Mark Escamilla, DMC President and Chief Executive Officer; former Aransas County Judge Burt Mills; Representative Todd Hunter, Texas Legislature (District 32); Aransas County Judge Ray Garza; Nancy Bolting, Board of Directors Chair of the Aransas County Partnership Workforce Development Corporation ACPWDC); John Jackson, former ACPWDC Board Secretary and Past President; Dr. Lesley Austin, Rockport-Fulton Independent School District Superintendent; ACPWDC President Jeffrey Sjostrom; and Rockport Mayor Tim Jayroe. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
AEP Foundation Donation_DMC Workforce Development Center-Aransas County Renovation Kick-off_013025
During the Jan. 30, 2025, renovation kick-off for the Del Mar College (DMC) Workforce Development Center-Aransas County in Rockport, Texas, the AEP Foundation presented a $75,000 check to the DMC Foundation in support of the project. Shown with the oversized check from left is Texas Legislature Rep. Todd Hunter (District 32); DMC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Escamilla; Lenora Keas, DMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Patrick S. King, AEP Texas External Affairs Manager; and Matthew Busby, DMC Vice President of Development & Donor Advising. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
Standing Ovation_Lenora Keas_Board of Regents Retirement Recognition_120925
Standing at the podium and addressing the Del Mar College Board of Regents, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas thanks the Regents and everyone for recognizing her 43-years of service to the college and South Texas community while audience members give her a standing ovation. Keas will retire on Jan. 31, 2026 after having served many roles from faculty member to top administration official while at the college. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
Favorite Pelican Painting_Lenora Keas Board Recognition_120925hoto 120925
During their Dec. 9 regular monthly meeting, the Del Mar College Board of Regents held a special recognition for retiring Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas and presented her with a favorite pelican painting that once hung in Rockport’s City Hall. Keas will retire on Jan. 31, 2026. Shown with the painting are (from left) At-large Regent Dr. Nicholas L. Adame, At-large Regent Libby Averyt, District 4 Regent Dr. Laurie Turner, District 3 Regent Bill Kelly, DMC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Escamilla, District 5 Regent Carl Crull, Lenora Keas, Board Chair and At-large Regent Carol A. Scott, District 1 Regent Rudy Garza and District 2 Regent David Loeb. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
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Seldom in life do you get to do what you really want to do and enjoy every day. But to be able to do it with steadfast friends is even more meaningful. And I've had the great pleasure of being able to do that […] and touching lives is a true gift. And, we all have it,” she added. “So, what you've done and what you do every day makes such a difference.
Lenora Keas, DMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
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Sheriff John C Hooper_Lenora Keas_Leonard Rivera_DMC NCSO Announcement_071222
On July 12, he Nueces County Sheriff’s Office and Del Mar College administrators jointly announced their partnership to train carpentry skills to selected inmates through the DMC Continuing Education Construction Skills Training Program. The training will help meet the demand for skilled workers in the construction industry in the Coastal Bend and provide participants at the McKinzie Jail Annex with life-changing skills for a better future in a high-demand field. Pictured are Sheriff John C. Hooper (left), DMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas and Dr. Leonard Rivera, Dean of DMC Continuing Education & Off-Campus Programs. (Credit: DMC Digital Services)
Executive Vice President and COO Lenora Keas and Guests_ERT Open House_051524
During an open house on May 15 on the Windward Campus, Del Mar College unveiled the $1.7 million investment in new emergency response training props and equipment used to prepare Public Service Department credit students for careers as first responders and Coastal Bend industry employers’ safety personnel through the College’s Workforce Programs & Corporate Services Division. Pictured at the podium is DMC Executive President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas thanking industry employers in attendance for their partnership, support and utilization of training opportunities offered by the department and division. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
DMC CBC Transportation Training Agreement
Del Mar College Vice President of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives Lenora Keas (left) and Coastal Bend College Interim President Dr. Carry DeAtley sign a Transportation Training Agreement on Sept. 24 as a partnership to offer DMC’s commercial drivers license training on CBC’s Pleasanton campus to address the shortage of professional truck drivers in South Texas. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
Commencement_Summer 2019_Gulf Coast Growth Ventures Scholarship Announcement at Del Mar College 4 copy
Del Mar College student Gilbert Cortinas (right) explains why he chose his major as a means to propvide a good life for his young family during the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures scholarship annuincement for 17 students majoring in Process Technology as DMC President and CEO Mark Escamilla and Vice President of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives Lenora Keas listen. .(Photo credit: DMC College Relations)
DMC_ArcelorMittal Texas HBI Celenration_021524_Group Shot
On Feb. 15, 2024, Del Mar College, DMC Foundation and ArcelorMittal Texas HBI officials as well as invited guests celebrated the company reaching a milestone with cumulated donations reaching $500,000 for scholarships and other support. The event was held on the Windward Campus and recognized the impact the ArcelorMittal Texas Scholarship has on transforming DMC students’ lives and the community where the company resides. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Mark Escamilla, Del Mar College President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO); DMC Vice President of Advancement and Government Relations Mary McQueen; DMC Board of Regents Chair Carol A. Scott; Welding Technology major Samira “Sam” Marin; Industrial Instrumentation major Patrick Lee; ArcelorMittal Texas HBI CEO Uwe Leopold; Michael Spitz, ArcelorMittal Texas HBI Chief Technical Officer; Industrial Instrumentation major Nicholas Martinez; and DMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas. (Credit: DMC Digital Services)
About Del Mar College
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
Latest DMC News
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