Article by Melinda Eddleman Expanding perspectives is part of life-long learning, and the Del Mar College (DMC) Cultural Programs Committee (CPC) is dedicated to offering events featuring artists, authors, lecturers and musicians from other parts of the country to the campus and area communities as part of cultural learning experiences. Made up of faculty and other departmental representatives, the committee organizes several events during the year, including two over the next two weeks––a Fall Art Talk on Oct. 2 and a Literary Reading on Oct. 9. Cultural Programs Committee-sponsored events are free and open to the public. These offerings are scheduled in different facilities on the Heritage Campus located at 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404). Access online directions and the Heritage Campus campus map. Ceramic artist and educator William McKinney will present a Fall Art Talk in Richardson Performance Hall on Thursday, Oct. 2, beginning at 11 a.m. Presented by the CPC and the Art Program with the Art and Drama Department, the West Virginia Morgantown-born artist explores the intersection of industry, nature and environmental action. McKinney’s sculptural work reflects the environmental impact of coal and gas industries on Appalachia’s landscapes, serving as both a critique and a call to action. An Assistant Professor of Art and Ceramics and the Gallery Director at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., McKinney uses stoneware, colored porcelain slip and wood firing techniques to create forms that embody the tension between natural forces and human intervention, often incorporating multiple firings and Egyptian paste to enhance surface depth and complexity of his work. McKinney earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from West Virginia University in 2016 and completed his Master of Fine Arts degree at The University of Mississippi in 2019. He has served as a Resident Artist at the Cobb Mountain Art and Ecology Project in Lake County, Ca., and as an Adjunct Professor at Mendocino College. From 2022 to 2024, he was the John Hirschi Family Ceramic Resident Artist at Midwestern State University. He has exhibited both nationally and internationally at venues such as Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum (Mesa, Ariz.), Dallas College (Irving, Tx.), Miaobei Art Center (Miaoli County, Taiwan), Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue (Jingdezhen, China) and The Pottery Workshop (Jingdezhen, China). To learn more about McKinney and view his work, visit his website. Questions related to the Oct. 2 Fall Art Talk may be directed to the DMC Art Office at 361-698-1216 or art@delmsr.edu. Online seating registration is requested on the DMC web page for this event. On Thursday, Oct. 9, the committee and the Department of English and Philosophy will host memoirist and author Jody Keisner for a Literary Reading beginning at 11 a.m. in the Reading Lab (Room 119) in the Coles Building.  One reviewer, author Sue William Silverman, describes Keisner’s book, Under My Bed and Other Essays (2022), as an exploration of “our aversion to scary things, as well as the emotional, physical, cultural and psychological allure of fear. Keisner examines everything from horror movies to giving birth—and does it fearlessly.” You can explore Keisner’s writing further during her reading on the Heritage Camus. Keisner––a writer, teacher, mother, first-generation college graduate and ex-waitress––has had essays appear in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Fourth Genre, Cimarron Review, Post Road, Brevity, VIDA Review, So to Speak, Brain, Child, Assay, Threepenny Review, Hunger Mountain, The Rumpus, The Normal School, Adroit Journal, Literary Mama, Hippocampus, Essay Daily, Women’s Studies, and many other literary journals and magazines. Her essay “Runaway Mother” is a notable Best American Essay 2022. Keisner serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Linden Review, a journal of creative nonfiction focused on health. The graduate of Wayne State University (Bachelor of Arts), University of Nebraska-Omaha (Master of Arts) and Western Michigan University (Master of Fine Arts) is a Professor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where she teaches creative nonfiction. You can learn more about Keisner on her website at www.jodykeisner.com/. Questions about the Oct. 9 reading may be directed to Assistant Professor of English Sarah Lenz at 361-698-1453 or slenz2@delmar.edu. If you have some free time the next couple of Thursdays or maybe want to take an early lunch, mark your calendar for Oct. 2 and 9 to join DMC Cultural Programs Committee and departmental event organizers for two thought-provoking presentations that offer a different learning experience.  

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: Richard Guerrero, Jr. It's never too early to start learning the core fundamentals of a working life. As we all know, preparing for a successful career requires financial literacy, an entrepreneurial spirit (side hustle, anyone?), and ensuring that you have the skills – including those essential soft skills that apply to nearly all work environments – to enjoy workplace longevity these days. To help young students at West Oso Elementary School in West Oso ISD become familiar with these concepts, a group of 90 volunteers – 41 Del Mar College (DMC) faculty and staff, 43 DMC students, and six students from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi –presented tailored curriculum as part of the Junior Achievement of the Coastal Bend’s “JA in a Day” initiative on Friday, Sept. 12. All Junior Achievement programs are developed by Junior Achievement, a nonprofit youth organization that was founded in 1919. JA’s programs align with State Standards and Common Core, and volunteers receive training and materials to cover curriculum tailored to their assigned grade levels. Lessons included the following: Second-grade students: JA Our Community immerses students in the daily life of their community the people who work there, the money decisions they make, the flow of the community's economy, and the importance of being involved and responsible community members. Third-grade students: JA Our City introduces students to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and grade-level social studies learning objectives, including how people manage their money and the importance of economic exchange within a city. Fourth-grade students: JA Our Region helps students explore how regional differences shape job opportunities, resource use, trade, and consumer choices. It shows students how their choices can contribute to their local and regional economies. Fifth-grade students: JA Our Nation presents essential aspects of our nation’s economy, skill development, career exploration, and community involvement. Through hands-on games and activities, students discover how their skills and actions contribute to their own success and to the economy. Since Fall 2023, Del Mar College has partnered with Junior Achievement to sponsor a “JA in a Day” with West Oso ISD, according to Dr. Jennifer Sramek, DMC Dean of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Heath Sciences. In the fall, the DMC volunteer cohort focuses on West Oso Elementary School while in the  spring the cohort focuses on JFK Elementary School. “On ‘JA in a Day,’ DMC faculty, staff, and students provide age-appropriate lessons on entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs designed to help young people understand the economics of life,” Sramek said. Marcy Davis, Principal of West Oso Elementary School, says Junior Achievement volunteers bring engaging hands-on lessons each year that help students make meaningful connections between academic content and everyday life. Teachers welcome these visits because the lessons directly align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) they are already teaching in the classroom, she adds. “During JA in a Day, the energy is felt throughout the halls, and every class is filled with excitement and active learning. Now in its third year at our campus, this valuable community partnership continues to strengthen the connection between schools and the community, and we look forward to its ongoing impact for years to come,” Davis said. Since Fall 2023, Sramek says DMC has provided a total of 163 volunteers overall. This semester’s volunteer cohort is the largest one to date. “When Team DMC participates in JA in a Day, we are mentors, role models and community partners. For many of these students, JA in a Day might be their first glimpse into careers, entrepreneurship or financial literacy,” Sramek says, adding: “The enthusiasm and compassion that Team DMC brings shows these students that they are seen, valued and capable of achieving great things.”

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.