Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr. For nearly three-quarters of a century, the Reception Ceremony is what a small but resourceful group of Del Mar College (DMC) students and instructors eagerly await when that special––Recognition Day––comes around, and the campus community acknowledges their accomplishments and willingness to go above and beyond to make an impact.   The College held its 73rd annual Recognition Day Ceremony today, May 8, in Richardson Performance Hall on the Heritage Campus. The College honored 134 students who were selected to receive “Outstanding Achievement” Awards in programs of study in the institution’s academic divisions––Communications, Fine Arts and Social Sciences; Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Kinesiology and Education; Business, Entrepreneurship and Health Sciences; and Industry and Public Service––along with this year’s newest members of the prestigious “Hall of Fame,” which was first launched in 1949. (Click on photos to enlarge in pop-up box, read identifications and download.)   During the ceremony, the college also recognized its Instructors of the Year with one faculty member representing each of DMC’s three campuses. Selected by the student body, this year’s honorees include Forrest Jerome Dorsey, Adjunct Instructor in Paralegal Studies, who represents the Heritage Campus; Windward Campus representative and Instructor of Dental Hygiene Josie Marie Wilson; and Dr. Robert Louis Parrillo, Assistant Instructor of Political Science, who represents the Oso Creek Campus. Student Government Association officers presented the honors to this year’s recipients.  Joining the ranks of the 424 members in the Hall of Fame, this year’s inductees included four students representing four different corners of the college. The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees are Sarah Chloe Castillo, a Paralegal Studies major; Christopher Tichacek, a Hospitality Management major; Brandice Sayen, an Education major specializing in Early Childhood to sixth grade; and Sergio Trejo, a Welding Applied Technology major. These individuals join a steadily growing list of DMC graduates who met the benchmark for more than seven decades. The prestigious honor is reserved for the select few who have demonstrated scholarly dedication, leadership and participation in student organizations and community service. (Click on photos to enlarge in pop-up box, read identifications and download.) Castillo was a long-serving member of the Vocal Vikings forensics team, first joining the speech and debate club in Fall 2023 and serving as Captain this past semester. She served as a presenter during the Vocal Vikings Showcase in Spring 2024 and participated in all competitions held each semester, including the Phi Rho Pi Regional and National competition and annual gatherings, such as Battle at the Alamo, Texas Shuffle and the DMC’s own Speech on the Beach competition. As a member of the Legal Professions Association, Castillo volunteered during the Fall Carnival in both 2023 and 2024. Additionally, she was a member of the Texas Rising Del Mar College Club and Geoscience Club, participated in various Girl Scouts activities in 2023 and was named to the Dean’s List in Fall 2023 and Spring 20204.    Sayen currently serves as Secretary for the Education Society and is a member of the Viking Vanguard, a relatively new leadership program that is overseen by the College Relations Office. During this academic year, she has participated during several activities for senior citizens, performed science experiments for students during Creekside Elementary Science Night and read to students during Reading Across America at Club Estates Elementary School. Additionally, she was a recipient of the Sally Graf Rascoe Memorial Endowed Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year.      Tichacek is also among the first DMC students to participate with the Viking Vanguard program and volunteered during the DMC Foundation’s 2024 Scholarship Dinner and during the college’s Fall Commencement Ceremony. Additionally, he served as Treasurer for the Hospitality and Chefs Student Association this spring. Last fall, Tichacek volunteered during the annual Greek Fest and KEDT Classic Brew fundraiser events and during the college’s Viking Fest. As a Viking Vanguard member, he also volunteered his assistance during the William F. White, Jr. Library grand reopening this April as well as during SkillsUSA competitions held at the Oso Creek Campus. His awards include Outstanding Academic Student Award (Spring 2024) as well as the Small Business Internship Program Intern of the Month Award (September 2024) and Intern of the Year Award (Spring 2025). Treasurer plans to pursue DMC’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Organizational Management and Leadership. Trejo was a member of the Welding Club in Fall 2024. Among his awards, he won second place during the DMC Welding Applied technology Program’s Día De Los Muertos 2023 competition and first place last fall. He has earned first place honors during district level SkillsUSA competition, including Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, second place during the State 2024 competition and first place during State competition earlier this semester. He has also won first place during the 2024 Craft Training Center and South Texas Vocational Tech competitions. The College also recognized the hard work of fellow graduates who have earned the “Outstanding Student” Award from one of the College’s four divisions: Division of Communications, Fine Arts and Social Sciences Art: Ariana Capo, Erika Liera Huchim, Samantha Nieves, Clara Rebke, Nemo Reveron, Mia Vasquez Drama: Samuel Howarth, Grant Sykora Journalism: David Carroll Speech: Hannah Gatchel, Teresa Gonzalez Foreign Language:  Gabriella Salinas History: Joel Byerley, Diego Cano, Leilani Crown, Carleigh Curran, Abrm Dabbs, Elijah De Luna, Elizabeth Olson, Marissa Pena, Kayla Prater, Peyton Yaws Division Of Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Math, Kinesiology and Education Chemistry: Parris Russel EC-6, 4-8, EC-12 Special Education:  Ashleigh Alanis, Isabella Bustamante, Michelle Cruz, Rachel Flores, Angelita Flores Sauceda, Gabrielle Garza, Shailynn Johnson, Brooke Jones, Melanie Martinez, Aliyah Medina, Yvonne Perez, Leeza Rodriguez, Brandice Sayen, Samantha Simpson, Ashlyn Sosa, McKenna Sullivan, Allie Tabler Grades 8-12 History/Social Studies: Mia Beltran, Fabian Gonzales, Garrison Weber Grades 8-12 with Emphasis in English: Analisa Chavez Grades 8-12; EC-12 Other than SE - Life Sciences: Emelie Chapa Physics: Thomas Brewer, Mahdi Shafiei NTS-Network Admin and Info Security Systems: Angela Meyer Division Of Industry and Public Service Occupational Safety & Health: Adrian Arriola, Janette Szepessy Process Tech-Industrial Instrumentation: Levy Herrera Welding Applied Technology: Marley Bryant, Melanie Gonzalez, Sergio Mellado, David Plata Basic Firefighting II: Logan Young Division Of Business, Entrepreneurship and Health Sciences Cosmetology: Rylee Ray, Julissa Rodriguez Dental Assisting: Caitlyn Alaniz, Kaylie Barrera, Richard Cabrialez, Kaitlyn Carlucci, Ellianna Chapa, Jenica Charles, Daisy Flores, Jacelyn Hohensee, Heather Mendoza, Alina Sanchez Dental Hygiene: Simran Amit Patel, Ashlyn Butcher, Rayna Byler, Efren Mesa Carmona, Alysa Countryman, Ana Cynthia Chavez, Autumn Diaz, Emma Durbin, Natalie Garcia, Celeste Gonzalez, Claudia Gould, Madison Hernandez, Jeremiah Keever, Claudette Lara, Timothy Laughbaum, Nailah Leal, Lyza Leal, Alejandra Morales, Jacklyn Mrayyan, Kimberly Nguyen, Kalee Nuanes, Brianna Polk, Natalie Price, Amanda Ramirez, Jasmine Ramsey, Anissa Rodriguez, DeAnna Ross, Jade Saenz, Gladys Sanchez, Karla Soto, Vanessa Squyres, Helen Escobar Villar, Kaylie Westmoreland, Jaelyn Zambrano Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Katelynn Flores, Daniel Linares Echocardiography: Tristan George Hospitality Management: Kayla Foster, Tina McPherson Medical Assisting: Liliana Andablo, Alexandria Bush, Naomi Ludan Medical Laboratory Technology: Jennifer Argo, Alyssa Carrasco, Taylor Clark, Kaitlyn Coleman, Danielle Garcia, Kaylee Griffin, Jensen Higy, Lucinda Jaramillo, Carlo Pacimeo, Tracie Pyle Paralegal Studies: Alejandro Benavides Radiologic Technology: Devan Leal Respiratory Therapy: Kayla Lopez, John Medado, Daniela Sandoval-Estudiante Surgical Technology: Carmen Almeida, Jenny Echavarrie, Leah Elliott, Monique Gutierrez, Stephanie Lopez, Danielle Smith, Natalie Solis, Fernando Zavala Bachelor of Applied Science in Organization Management and Leadership: Michael Castillo   Download the PDF file below of the Recognition Day program, which incudes all recognitions awarded on May 8 in Richardson Performance Hall.

Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr.  Although there have been intermittent observances in previous years, Denim Day at Del Mar College has continually occurred since 2017 as an opportunity to connect the global movement for sexual assault awareness with the college’s local campus community. That same year, the #MeToo movement gained worldwide momentum, and in partnership between the DMC Counseling Center and the DMC Title IX Committee, DMC faculty and staff joined in by holding signs reading “30DaysOfSAAM” and “#MeTooDMC,” while sharing survivor love letters filled with words of encouragement and support. What began as a small initiative among faculty and staff soon expanded into a full campuswide event by 2018. Denim Day at Del Mar College continues to grow and thrive, now marking eight years of solidarity and support following the pivotal Italian Supreme Court ruling that sparked the original movement. Learn more at denimday.org. Every April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the DMC Counseling Center together with The Purple Door and DMC student organizations such as the American Association of University Women and Active Minds Mental Health Club come together to provide resources, raise awareness, and remind students they are not alone with DMC  Counseling offering free and confidential support services to all students who need it. Event coordinator and DMC Counselor Shakira Barnes says that organizers invited everyone to wear jeans with a purpose and take part during the event, which included free goodies, water and red ribbons and an opportunity to write messages of encouragement for survivors. “We are proud to stand with and support all Vikings in creating a culture of awareness, empowerment and compassion,” Barnes says. “Denim Day is important to the Del Mar College community because it breaks the stigma around sexual violence, challenges victim-blaming myths and shows solidarity with survivors.” Click on images to enlarge in pop-up box, read cutlines and download.

Article by Melinda Eddleman It’s a roll out of sorts … South Texas Family Planning & Health Corporation (STFPHC) revealed their new “Medical Support Squad” mobile clinic and the partnership between the non-profit organization and Del Mar College (DMC) was announced that will give access to quality health care services “on campus” to students as well as employees. On Monday, April 14, DMC and STFPHC representatives announced a “joint health venture” and provided tours of the health care clinic on wheels, which is a 40-foot trailer featuring equipment and services that you can find in a regular doctor’s office. The partnership brings health care services to students on all three of the college’s campuses––Heritage, Windward and Oso Creek. The Medical Support Squad includes two examination rooms and a lab. Students will have access to a wide range of free and affordable services, lab work and prescriptions. Services include women’s health, breast and cervical cancer screenings and a full range of birth control options. Both students and employees can also access health screenings and treatments for diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, respiratory infections and sexually transmitted infections. “We will be able to help everybody on this journey and that includes students, staff––everybody here at Del Mar College,” said Dr. Sally Perales, STFPHC’s Chief Clinical Officer while addressing DMC students and employees attending the announcement. “We have a full lab, so we can give you your results within five to ten minutes and then you’ll go see one of our providers. So, you’re getting care right there and then. We’re here to serve; we’re providing instant service, and we’re here to give you everything you need.”  “This partnership marks an exciting opportunity to provide students and staff with direct access to medical care,” added Sanders. Individuals who use the clinic can either make appointments or just “walk-in.” Services are free for students, and DMC employees just need to provide their insurance card. The Medical Support Squad clinic will rotate among the college’s campuses with services provided on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., but STFPHC representatives hope to extend operational hours to evenings to accommodate students’ course and work scheduling. 

Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr. For those who have visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the emotional experience is simply unforgettable. But that experience requires a journey that not all Americans are willing or able to make. To help share the healing influence of the memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund commissioned in 1996 the creation of a three-quarter scale replica that is designed to travel to communities all over the country. The 2025 tour kicked off on March 6 in Sebring, Florida, and moved on to Kissimmee, Florida, where it opened on March 13. Corpus Christi was the fourth destination on the memorial’s tour itinerary; it was hosted locally at Veterans Memorial High School from March 27 to March 30.  In total, the memorial replica will visit 30 communities this year. The traveling exhibit honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who were killed in action or went missing in Vietnam. The exhibit consists of The Wall replica and the mobile Education Center. Del Mar College’s Transportation Training Services transported the memorial replica exhibit to its next destination – Laredo – on April 1. The entire DMC Public Service Department, including Police Academy and Fire Academy students, along with student veterans and other campus community members lined up the route leading off the Windward Campus  to pay tribute to the memorial and see it off as it moved on to its next stop. DMC’s truck was also joined by dozens of law enforcement, motorcyclists, and other vehicles in a parade route that ran through the streets of Laredo. The driver of the DMC truck was Mark Vela, DMC Transportation Training Services Instructor. He is a veteran of the US Marines Corps who served from 2009 to 2013. Fellow DMC trucking instructor Alvin Amador provided logistical support on the way to Laredo and drove the rig back to Windward Campus at the end of the day. For more information about The Wall That Heals, visit www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/.

Release provided by the Corpus Christi Independent School District (Video produced by DMC Media Relations) Through their partnership with the Texas Urban Council, Corpus Christi ISD has received grant funding in support of their continued work to prepare students for post-secondary success. The Gates Foundation awarded Commit Partnership $14.39 million to support such work, with a portion of those funds benefiting Corpus Christi ISD in alignment with this initiative. The $569,417 in grant funding will be used to expand early college access, including partnering with Del Mar College. The four-year grant will help students access early college coursework, experience quality advising, and improve district-wide systems targeting higher levels of early college/dual enrollment coursework and increased enrollment in a post-secondary institution immediately upon graduation. The Coastal Bend has been selected as a ‘Priority Region,’ recognizing the well-established collaboration between Corpus Christi ISD and Del Mar College as well as their steadfast focus to improve postsecondary access and completion for all students. Funds were awarded to 19 school systems statewide, serving more than 600,000 students, representing more than 10% of Texas’ student population. Nearly 80% of the students who will benefit are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Click photos to enlarge, read cutlines and download. The Priority Regions Grant is awarded to regions that represent Texas’ diversity. Additionally, these regions demonstrate strong momentum and systems conducive to implementing early college coursework. The grant support is designed to increase access to early college pathways, improve postsecondary advising, and enhance data infrastructure to deepen the partnership between participating school districts and higher education institutions. Such partnerships will ultimately provide college, career and military exemplars for the state of Texas. Download the CCISD release as a PDF file:

Article by Melinda Eddleman During their regular meeting on April 8, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents unanimously approved general contractor SpawGlass to renovate the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County after reviewing Competitive Sealed Proposals. The college owns half of the former Little Bay Primary School located on Highway 35 North in Rockport, which will become centric to training and other educational opportunities for Aransas County and surrounding communities’ residents to meet workforce needs in the area once renovation is completed. While addressing the Board, John Jackson, Past President and current Board Secretary of the Aransas County Partnership Economic Development Corporation, added, “This has been a long five-year journey to get to this point, and it’s a very significant threshold that we’re crossing today. I want to thank you and the Del Mar College Foundation on behalf of everyone in Aransas County.” Completion of the $2.5 million-plus project is anticipated by Spring 2026. The project initially began as a collaboration among DMC, Aransas County, the Aransas County Partnership Economic Development Corporation and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2021. Additionally, local private fundraising by Aransas County business leaders has also served a critical role to support project funding that will move the area’s economy forward with a well-trained workforce. The center will include classrooms, labs and additional space to house high-demand marketable skills training that builds a sustainable workforce in the Aransas County area. Training strategically targets occupations identified by the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend that meet Aransas County’s local and regional needs, including: • Health Sciences • Public Safety/Fire/EMS • Building/Construction Trades • Light Industrial/Manufacturing • Small Business & Entrepreneurship • Computer-Aided Design/Drafting • Communications & Broadcasting • General Education, Continuing Education and certification programs DMC will offer courses not only through its academic programs but also by Continuing Education and Corporate Services, providing residents the opportunity to earn Marketable Skills Awards that can articulate into academic credits leading to Level I and II Certificates, Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science degrees and even toward the pursuit of DMC bachelor’s degrees–––the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Once operational, the center will provide ongoing training and college-level courses for approximately 400 to 800 students per year. Classes and training will be available to everyone – young adults seeking a career, adults who want to up-skill and re-skill for essential jobs and those who simply want to re-enter the workforce.  Keas added, “The Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County is an example of what can be achieved when partners work together for the benefit of the community.” -DMC-   Architectural renderings by Turner | Ramirez Architects, along with the floor plan, for the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center-Aransas County are provided below. Click on each image to enlarge and download. A downloadable PDF file of the news release is available in the upper left-hand corner above Contacts.