Fulfilling the need … Del Mar College Foundation Celebrates Scholars and Donors with 2025 Scholarship Dinner at Hilliard Center on Oct. 30
Article by Melinda Eddleman Scholarships mean the world to Del Mar College (DMC) students needing funding assistance to attend. Receiving that help can make the difference between Foundation Scholars achieving their dreams or postponing their education and career goals. In turn, one word describes the philanthropic support that the Del Mar College Foundation receives to assist students through scholarships or emergency funds to fulfill their dreams. It’s generosity. “Freedom to dream is what Del Mar College is all about,” says Matthew Busby, the college’s Vice President of Development and Donor Advising. “Scholarships provided by DMC Foundation supporters are the fuel that empowers students in their journey to dream, earn their education and achieve fulfilling and well-paid jobs.” On Oct. 30, a record 325 DMC students who received scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year attended and thanked their scholarship supporters in-person during the DMC Foundation’s 2025 Scholarship Dinner at the Hilliard Center with CITGO as the Presenting Sponsor. The event grew to 620 participants overall, exceeding last year’s attendance and setting another record. The increased participation is not surprising. Last academic year (2024-2025), more than $2.9 million in total scholarships were awarded by the DMC Foundation to help 1,449 Vikings––another record set. Additionally, 564 students received donor-funded student emergency aid totaling over $158,000. Students’ need for assistance couldn’t be greater, and DMC Foundation representatives noted that more than 3,750 students applied for scholarships in the spring for the current academic year (2025-206). In fact, the college’s fall credit enrollment grew a little over 14 percent to 11,701 students* this semester from last year’s 10,256 in large part to Del Mar College’s Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Program. The DMC Foundation is one of two sources providing first-in funding that’s supporting the pilot program by using previously donated funds for the Viking Promise Program with the Board of Trustee’s approval. * Preliminary, uncertified number reported to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on 12th class day. Overall enrollment growth that includes both credit and Continuing Education for fall 2025 is 10 percent and 14,023 students. During the 2025 Scholarship Dinner program, participants watched a special video featuring recorded messages from DMC and Foundation leaders providing encouraging messages, including those from Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas, DMC Foundation Board of Trustees President Sandra Alvarez and Dr. Mark Escamilla, DMC President and Chief Executive Officer. View the video below: Additionally, 2025 Scholarship Dinner attendees watched a second video highlighting donor and Sembradores de Amistad of Corpus Christi President Louis Lopez; DMC Court Reporting Instructor Sonia Trevino, who credits receiving a scholarship that opened doors leading to her success in her professional and as an educator at Del Mar College; and Nursing major Joelle Penny, a current recipient of a scholarship from Sembradores de Amistad of Corpus Christi. Watch their remarks below: Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, the Foundation will start taking scholarship applications for the next academic year, which is 2026-2027, at www.delmar.edu/scholarships/. Donations can be made year-round and Foundation staff have a holistic, philanthropic advising approach. Busby notes, “Creating a scholarship at Del Mar College allows a person’s story to be shared and inspire a student while being the hand-up investment so important for many of our students.” (View stories.) To learn more about the DMC Foundation either as a scholarship applicant or a donor, visit www.delmar.edu/foundation or contact the DMC Office of Development at 361-698-1317 or foundation@delmar.edu.
