Latest DMC News
- DMC Volunteers Take Over, Teach Junior Achievement Principles at West Oso ISD’s JFK Elementary School as Part of “JA in a Day”Article by Melinda Eddleman For 15 youngsters in kindergarten teacher Flor Elizondo’s class, learning life’s lessons about “needs” and “wants” was a major part of their curriculum on Wednesday, April 17. The lesson plan was taught by Del Mar College (DMC) volunteers as part of the Junior Achievement (JA) of the Coastal Bend’s “JA in a Day” at the West Oso Independent School District’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School. Overall, 34 volunteers participated in the teaching experience, including 29 from DMC, who followed research- proven curricula focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career and workforce readiness. Lessons were tailored to the kindergarten and first grade students whose classes that the volunteers were assigned to cover age-appropriate materials in a day. “We are excited to have Junior Achievement at JFK Elementary because it is never too early for our students to learn about the importance of saving and giving and the benefits of working hard to succeed in life,” said Principal Roxanna Martinez prior to Wednesday’s “JA in a Day.”. The mission of “JA in a Day” is all about imparting “possible,” and for Junior Achievement USA, the organization dedicated to inspiriting and preparing America’s youth for success in what is now a global economy, engraining concepts focused on education and career pathways, financial confidence and even business ownership can never come too early as part of preparing young participants for their future. Dr. Sramek and fellow College employee Cynthia Soliz, Health Sciences Advisor, served as the two teaching volunteers in Elizondo’s kindergarten class. All “JA in a Day” volunteers received training and materials to cover lessons tailored to their assigned grade levels, which included: • Kindergartners: JA Ourselves uses storybook characters in read-aloud and hands-on activities to introduce the role people play in an economy. Through engaging, volunteer-led activities, young students learn about individual choices, money, the importance of saving and giving, along with the value of work. • Frist Graders: JA Our Families (first grade) explains how family members’ jobs and businesses contribute to the well-being of the family and the community. The program introduces the concept of needs and wants and explores the ways families plan for and acquire goods and services. Students analyze their own skills to determine ways they can support their families. Junior Achievement USA’s proven lesson plans align with national and state educational standards and are delivered by educational partners and local community volunteers to millions of students across the country. The organization’s website notes that “research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success and have started a business as an adult.” “These JA volunteers dedicated their time to introduce important topics such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career-readiness to help students better understand business and economics,” said Ezra Moreno, JA of the Coastal Bend Program Manager, of volunteers’ efforts today. “It is not every day that Junior Achievement is able to reach every K-5 student in a district;. However, today’s volunteer day marked our reaching goal of teaching Junior Achievement curriculum to all 44 elementary classrooms throughout West Oso ISD.” DMC volunteers taught grade-focused curriculum last fall to youth attending both JFK and West Oso Elementary Schools, which included kindergarten through fifth graders.
- DMC Board of Regents holding workshop and regular monthly meeting tomorrow, April 16Article by DMC College Relations Tomorrow, April 16, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a workshop beginning at 10 a.m. and 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. Both the workshop and the regular meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the two livestreams by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 9:55 a.m. and 12:55 p.m., respectively. Copies of both Agenda Notices and Board Packets are available online as follows: • 10 a.m. Workshop: https://delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/workshop-agenda-04-16-2024-packet.pdf • 1 p.m. Regular Meeting: https://delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regular-agenda-04-16-2024-packet.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 COVID-19 guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.
- “Fiesta! Philip Hii” … Celebratory Concert with DMC Wind Ensemble to Feature Retired Faculty Member, Guitarist This Thursday, April 18Article by Melinda Eddleman He was born in Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, and started playing guitar at age 10. But, after winning a national competition in his home country in 1975, he left for New Zealand to study law. Chasing a legal career changed direction when he won the New Zealand National Cup with his instrumental talent that earned him an appearance on national television. At that point, retired Del Mar College (DMC) Professor of Music Philip Hii took a pathway toward music and earned a bachelor’s degree from Victoria University of Wellington and then furthered his studies in England and Germany before moving to the United States in 1983. He then earned a jazz-arranging diploma from Berklee College of Music in Boston before acquiring a Master of Music degree from the renowned program at the University of North Texas prior to joining DMC’s Music faculty in September 1988 to teach future performers and educators. As a recording artist, Hii’s career has included releasing critically-acclaimed Compact Discs (CDs) featuring his transcriptions for guitar of works by classical composers Bach and Chopin as well as his own compositions. And as a performer, Hii has traveled across the United States and around the globe. Hii retired last July with a 35-yeaar career at the College but will return this Thursday, April 18, to give a farewell performance during “Fiesta! Philip Hii.” The guitarist, recording artist and former Del Mar educator will join Music Department colleague and conductor Dr. Abel Ramirez and the DMC Wind Ensemble for the celebratory concert featuring Hii collaboratively playing Concerto for Guitar and Band by Juan A. Perez as well as Intermedio from El Baile de Luis Alonso by Geronimo Gimenez. The event will also include special guests in addition to Hii’s performance. The free concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Richardson Performance Hall on the Heritage Campus, located at 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404). Get online directions and campus map. Questions may be directed to the DMC Music Office at 361-698-1214 or music@delmar.edu. Those honoring Hii also invite individuals to “sign a virtual card” to wish him a “Happy Retirement!” As a performer, Hii has traveled extensively across the United States, Mexico, Germany and New Zealand. As a recording artist, he has released three CDs. Those releases include Johann Sebastian Bach: New Transcriptions for Guitar, which received critics’ rave reviews in Germany, England, Japan and the United States; Stream of Consciousness, a compilation of original works arranged for solo guitar and synthesizers; and Fréderíc Chopin: Nocturnes, featuring works by the famous composer that Hii transcribed for guitar himself with nine of the 11 pieces on that CD being world premiere recordings. When released, Hii’s Bach CD was one of Guitar Player Magazine’s picks of the month, noting “His passionate rubato and penetrating tone contribute to a thrilling performance,” while The Washington Post called the CD “exciting” and “dazzling.” Acoustic Guitar Magazine labeled him “the Heifetz of the classical guitar.” Additionally, Hii was America Public Media’s featured artist on Performance Today on May 6, 2015, when he played his transcriptions from the Chopin: Nocturnes CD. The performance aired on National Public Radio all over the country, including local KEDT Radio 90.3. As a popular classical music radio program, that year Performance Today was broadcast to nearly 300 public radio stations nationally and reached approximately 1.4 million listeners. Among Hii’s other credits, he is well-published and has had numerous articles in Soundboard, Guitar International, Gitarre und Laute and American String Teacher for which he is a former AST Guitar Forum Editor. Additionally, six of Hii’s Bach transcriptions have been published by Guitar Solo Publications. Hii has served as a member of the New York City Classical Guitar Society Artistic Advisory Board, and his most recent project has been a series of books called The Art of Virtuosity. So, keep your calendar open this Thursday as DMC celebrates retired Professor Hii. It’s not “farewell” but rather “Fiesta! Philip Hii!”
- DMC Campus Community “Solarbrates” Great American Eclipse with Watch Party on April 8Article by Melinda Eddleman (Cutlines and names are not provided for posted photos, but you can click on each and download a high-resolution JPEG.) The celestial event was called the “Great American Eclipse.” And, even though the weather was cloudy in the Coastal Bend, Del Mar College (DMC) students and employees found the total solar eclipse as cause for a “Solarbration” on Monday, April 8, when the Moon passed between the Sun and Earth for a short time, completely blocking the face of the star also called “Sol” that sits in the center of our solar system. During the eclipse, the track of the Moon’s shadow across Earth’s face, known as the path of totality, measured about 115 miles wide and included Corpus Christi as that shadow moved from across Texas and the United States toward Canada’s Atlantic Coast. With the help of the Student Leadership and Campus Life Office and the College Relations Office, the College celebrated the occasion and built campus community camaraderie with DMC students and employees gathering at the Heritage Campus Amphitheatre for a one-hour watch party from 1 to 2 p.m. as the “Great American Eclipse” took place at approximately 1:33 p.m. in the Coastal Bend for a duration of totality lasting less than five minutes. Participants received special-ordered viewing classes to watch the solar eclipse and themed drinks like Sunny D, Sunkist and Capri Sun, along with snacks and candy such as Moonpies, Sun Chips, Star Crunch, Cosmic Brownies, Starbursts, Milky Way Bars and Eclipse and Orbit Gum. In addition to the celestial-named snacks and drinks, organizers piped music from a celestial-themed playlist, including Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden), Blinded by the Light (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), Dark Side Of The Moon (Pink Floyd), Good Day Sunshine and Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles), Island In The Sun (Weezer), Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler), Walking On Sunshine (Katrina & The Waves) and You are my Sunshine (Johnny Cash). The next total solar eclipse won’t occur over the continuous United States until 2044. For more detailed information about the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, go to greatamericaneclipse.com.
- Remembering 45-year Legacy of Late DMC Music Faculty Member David Irving (VIDEO included)Article by Ralph Goonan Music was in his blood. He began playing guitar at age 4, and he was also known as an accomplished bass and French horn player. Retired Del Mar College (DMC) Professor of Music Emeritus David Irving, who taught at the College for 45 years in a wide range of music subjects ranging from jazz improvisation to the history of rock and roll, passed away Wednesday, April 3. Irving earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the world-renowned music program at North Texas State University in Denton (now the University of North Texas). Before joining the DMC Music faculty in 1972, he worked as a high school band director. After 45 years, the beloved educator retired in 2017 and was bestowed the “Professor Emeritus” designation in 2018. A jazz lover since his high school days, Irving was considered an authority on jazz in the Coastal Bend. He was an ardent supporter of the Texas Jazz Festival, which was initiated in 1959 from a group of students who gathered to play jazz in Del Mar College’s Harvin Student Center. Irving was probably most known for teaching jazz studies and directing the MWF Jazz Band at DMC. Annual performances that were part of the Jazz Guest Artist Concert Series that he organized were always highly-anticipated events that brought notable jazz artists to play with the MWF Jazz Band, along with conducting masterclasses. Artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ed Shaughnessy, Lee Konitz, Tom Braxton and “Blue” Lou Marini accepted Irving’s invitations over the years, some more than once. Irving also had a special affection for the Corpus Christi Municipal Band, a community pops ensemble that has played outdoor summer concerts in Corpus Christi since 1952. He spent many years as a musician with the Band and was drafted into numerous other roles. After several moves to different venues over the years, the band now performs its summer concerts at the amphitheater on the College’s Heritage Campus, a move at the time that made Irving a natural choice to serve as band manager and act as emcee. Irving’s dry wit and affinity for corny jokes made him a favorite with audiences. Even the most groan-worthy jokes were made genuinely funny thanks to his sly, knowing delivery. Irving’s affections also extended to his association with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national fraternal society for music. He became a Sinfonian in 1960 while at North Texas and served as advisor to Del Mar College’s chapter beginning in 1977; and in 2015, Phi Mu Alpha bestowed to Irving the Robert J. Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award. Irving cited Rogers, who was a pianist and professor at North Texas who died in 2013, as his mentor during the DMC educator’s time at the university. Irving’s teaching, music performances and learning opportunities inspired many students to complete music degrees and become music educators as well. Many more students became members of music ensembles and continued their learning and appreciation of various music genres. Dr. Cynthia Bridges, Dean of the Division of Communications, Fine Arts and Social Sciences and a former DMC Music Department Chair, remembered Irving’s dedication to students as an attribute as mighty as his devotion to the arts. “David was really instrumental in developing the life skills of our students,” she said. David Irving was beloved by the Del Mar College community and he will be missed deeply Funeral arrangements are scheduled as follows: Sunday, April 14, with viewing from 2 to 6 p.m. and service from 6 to 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 900 S. Shoreline, Corpus Christi, Tx 78401.
- DMC student Elizabeth Rocklage places first during recent American Society of Microbiology Texas Branch Spring state meetingArticle by Melinda Eddleman Competition included postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students representing 31 different higher education institutions from across Texas. Only five were community colleges. Of the 88 presentations made by student participants, 59 were undergraduates who gave poster presentations, and one student winning the top prize in the Bacteriophage Microbiology category was Del Mar College (DMC) Biotechnology major Elizabeth Rocklage for her research, “The isolation and characterization of the bacteriophage Erock.” The competition was held last month by the American Society of Microbiology Texas Branch during their Spring state meeting in Cedar Hill, Tx. Rocklage vied for the award not only against three other DMC students in the same category––Sierra Martinez, Teresa Sanchez and Catherine Wright––she also competed against 25 other students representing Baylor University, LeTourneau University (Longview), Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas. To understand Rocklage’s research , first individuals need to know what bacteriophages are–––a type of virus that infects bacteria. And, they have multiple uses in research and in medical fields such as vectors for moving genes and as alternative treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria. Rocklage’s project used a novel bacteriophage that she isolated from a soil sample and named “Erock.” Through a series of extractions, testing and conclusions, Rocklage’s project determined that Erock would not make a suitable candidate for antibiotic replacement but could be a tool to study gene transfer, which won her first place in the Bacteriophage Microbiology poster competition. Her abstract for the competition is attached as a downloadable PDF file in the upper right-hand corner above "CONTACTS." Under the instruction and mentorship of Dr. Daiyuan “Daisy” Zhang, Professor of Biotechnology in the College’s Natural Sciences Department, the sophomore first presented her work with bacteriophages last October and placed third during a Health Sciences and Technology Research Symposium. The poster competition pitted Rocklage and four other DMC students against graduate students conducting research at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Driscoll Children’s Hospital and CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital. Dr. Zhang noted, “It’s very important for Del Mar College to take students to regional and national meetings not just to attend but also to compete. They get the chance to present their undergraduate research data to the scientific community and possibly place during competition; and, they also have a chance to learn more from their peers, build connections with four-year schools and open doors to future employment opportunities.”
