Celebrating success … Del Mar College’s Winter Commencement represents accomplishments, dedication among those making up Class of Fall 2024
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December
2024
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16:52 PM
Europe/Amsterdam
Welding major comes back after 30 years to finish what he started while Biotechnology major makes her mark with national award
Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr.
John Adami_Del Mar College December 2024 Welding Applied Technology Graduate
John Adami (Welding Applied Technology)
The last time John Adami set foot in a college class, the Persian Gulf War had just been fought, Nirvana was still unknown to most American rock fans ahead of the late September 1991 release of their debut album, “Never Mind,” and fictional cannibal serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter struck fear into the hearts of movie goers who flocked to theaters to see the psychological horror film, “The Silence of the Lambs.”
The year was 1991, and Adami, who was majoring in Welding at Del Mar College, decided it was time to set aside his academic endeavors and focus on earning a living.
More than three decades later, Adami reached a point in his career where additional advancement required the associate degree he had yet to complete. So, the Oklahoma resident looked to his alma mater to finish what he started.
“In 2020, I was promoted to Quality Control Manager and was made Team Leader for American Electric Power (AEP) West,” Adami says. “I learned that if I wanted to move up any further, I would need to finish my degree. So, I enrolled in online classes at Del Mar in summer 2023 to complete the final five classes in my degree plan, and I’m completing the last class this semester.”
A Corpus Christi native, Adami enrolled at DMC shortly after graduating from Mary Carroll High School in 1985. Initially, he focused on classes in Business Management and Real Estate but harbored a passion for welding. Two of his uncles were welders, and he says that he was fascinated by the things they would build.
“My dad thought welding was a hard job, and he wanted me to do something that wasn’t so hard on me physically,” Adami recalls. “I took several Business Management classes and Real Estate classes, but I just wasn’t interested in them. My heart was in welding, and I finally convinced my parents to let me attend welding school. I picked up on welding quickly because that’s that I was meant to do.”
It didn’t take long for Adami to transition from student to worker. By the time he decided to focus on working full time, he had already used his skills in welding shops, refineries, the oilfield and in power plants.
An exemplary welder, Adami would serve as an instructor for the Craft Training Center and at DMC in the late 1990s before eventually taking a Quality Control position with AEP in 2001. Three years later, Adami accepted a promotion as a supervisor and moved his family to Broken Arrow.
When the time came to re-enroll at Del Mar College, Adami knew just the person he could turn to for help, lifelong friend Dr. Mark Escamilla, the college’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“President Escamilla and I have been friends since Little League baseball,” Adami says proudly. “I emailed him last year and wrote about enrolling back at Del Mar to finish my degree. He put me in touch with all the right people to get my degree plan back on track.”
After 30 years, the rigor of an academic course was a bit of a challenge for Adami. While working on assignments and tests were not altogether unfamiliar, learning remotely was.
“The biggest challenge for me was not being in a classroom environment where I could easily walk up to the professor, ask a question and get an answer right away,” Adami notes. “With online classes, you can ask a question and maybe have to wait awhile to get a response.”
Adami says that he turned to friends and family to help him get up to speed on technology and academic standards.
“My neighbor’s son taught me how to make YouTube videos for my Speech class,” he says. “And, my youngest son Matthew, who has a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, helped me understand the importance of citing works for my English class assignments.”
For Adami, who credits his family’s support for helping him persevere during challenging moments, he is grateful to have had an opportunity to finish what he started all those years ago.
“I am almost at the end of my work career, but I have another three or four years before I retire,” he admits. “This degree might not get me any further than I am now. However, at the end of the day, I can say I finally finished my degree.”
Trinity Storr_Del Mar College December 2024 Biotechnology Graduate
Trinity Storr (Biotechnology)
Trinity Storr began her college education as a Dual Enrollment student at Gregory-Portland High School in 2019, taking nine college-level courses at Del Mar College while still in high school. After a gap year, she officially enrolled at DMC in 2022, initially pursuing a major in Biology.
However, after being introduced to biotechnology by her academic advisor, Storr discovered a new path that would ignite her interest even further.
“Biotechnology is the perfect combination of everything I enjoy: chemistry, microbiology, biology and even environmental science. It’s a field where you never stop learning,” says Storr, adding: “It blends so many areas of science and allows you to find real-world solutions to complex problems.”
A student of Dr. Daisy Zhang, Professor of Biotechnology, Storr earned a Student Award for Excellence at the National Science Foundation’s 2024 Advanced Technological Education conference in Washington, D.C., in October for her work on the potential therapeutic applications of bacteriophages.
“Being recognized on a national level was such an honor,” Storr says. “It motivated me to continue my work with even more dedication and passion.”
Storr’s research project, titled The Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophage Pepbellie, investigates the use of bacteriophages — viruses that infect bacteria — as potential vectors, or a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to carry a specific DNA segment into a host cell as part of a cloning DNA technique, for gene therapy. Working with a bacteriophage isolated from soil, Storr studied its ability to infect Mycobacterium smegmatis, a close relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.
“We wanted to see if the bacteriophage could help treat antibiotic-resistant infections, particularly tuberculosis,” Storr explains. “This virus could potentially be used to target and destroy harmful bacteria, offering a new approach to tackling drug-resistant strains.”
The practical applications of her research are significant since bacteriophages offer a promising alternative to antibiotics, especially for treating infections that are resistant to conventional treatments.
Looking ahead, Storr plans to transfer to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to pursue her bachelor’s degree and continue her academic journey in the field of pharmacology.
“I’m particularly interested in drug development and therapeutic interventions,” she says. “My goal is to contribute to advancements in pharmacology, researching new drug targets and developing innovative treatments for diseases.”
While Storr’s focus is on advancing her education and career in research, she also values the collaborative environment of DMC’s Biotechnology program.
“We all love being part of the Biotechnology program,” Storr says of her peers. “It’s a place where we can work together, explore new ideas and learn from each other. That sense of community is really motivating.”
And, Storr’s motivation will continue now that she’s completing Del Mar College’s Associate of Applied Science degree in Biotechnology.
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
- DMC Board of Regents holding workshop and regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 10Article by DMC College Relations Office Tuesday, June 10, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a workshop 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. 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. Copies of the Agenda Notices and Board Packets are available online as follows: • 10 a.m. Workshop: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/workshop-packet-6-10-25.pdf • 1 p.m. Regular Meeting: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regularboard-meeting-packet-6-10-25.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 guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.
- Del Mar College recognized nearly 530 students from Adult Education & Literacy, Continuing Education and Corporate Services at June 3 ceremony at Richardson Performance HallArticle by: Richard Guerrero, Jr. For the first time in college history, Del Mar College recognized students from the Adult Education & Literacy, Continuing Education and Corporate Services Departments in a single ceremony that took place on June 3, 2025, in Richardson Performance Hall, located on the Heritage Campus of the College. The Summer 2025 Continuing Education Recognition Ceremony featured 526 students who were recognized for their accomplishments – it was the Continuing Education Department’s largest recognition group to date. The ceremony also represented the first time all three programs honored their respective graduates during a single event. Following opening remarks by Dr. Leonard Rivera, Del Mar College (DMC) Vice President of Dual Enrollment & Continuing Education, Communities in Schools of the Coastal Bend CEO Gloria Taylor delivered a moving keynote address that served to inspire everyone in the room. Taylor has led the organization for the past 15 years and brings nearly four decades of dedicated service to the nonprofit sector. Taylor was honored with a Y Women in Careers award in 2022 and was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024. Adult Education recognized 11 individuals during its portion of the ceremony. The Career Training Program recognized 74 individuals in four areas: 28 students in Administrative Assistant 5 in Child Development Associate 11 in Legal Secretary 30 in Real Estate Corporate Services recognized 201 individuals in five areas: 169 students in Commercial Driver’s License 10 students in Commercial Driver’s License, Real Grant 6 students in Maritime Advanced Firefighting 9 students in Maritime Basic Safety Training 7 students in Structural Ironwork Continuing Education’s Healthcare Program recognized 197 individuals in 5 areas: 53 students in Certified Nurse Aide 22 students in Billing and Coding 23 students in Medical Secretary 54 in Electrocardiography 45 in Phlebotomy And, Continuing Education’s Industrial Program recognized 43 individuals in 3 areas: 30 students will receive the Electrical Helper Workforce Skills Award 2 students will receive the Plumbing Helper Workforce Skills Award 11 students will receive the Welding Helper Workforce Skills Award
- Catching up with Foghorn alumnus Raul AlonzoArticle by: Richard Guerrero, Jr. Raul Alonzo was an award-winning Foghorn staffer while he was a student at Del Mar College. His time working on student newspapers both at DMC and at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have served him well. He moved on to work for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Gatehouse Media while wrapping up work on a bachelor’s degree in media arts at TAMU-CC. Today, he’s a Digital Producer for the Texas Standard weekday radio news magazine, which airs on National Public Radio stations across the Lone Star State. College Relations staff caught up with Alonzo when he was invited to return to campus in March 2025 to give a talk about a project that began during his days as a Foghorn reporter. He was genuinely excited to share details about his work and how his time at DMC helped him build the skill set he needed to excel in his current role.
- Students from Ray, Miller and Veterans Memorial high schools celebrate certification awards via DMC’s Continuing Education Health Care Programs with pinning ceremony at Richardson Performance HallArticle by: Richard Guerrero, Jr. The partnership prepares high school-age students for the workforce … health care to be precise. And, for more than 150 students from Ray, Miller and Veterans Memorial high schools in the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD), their hard work and accomplishments will be recognized as part of a Health Care Program Class of 2025 pinning ceremony, which is part of a specialized certification opportunity offered through Del Mar College’s Continuing Education (CE) division. The ceremony was held in Richardson Performance Hall on DMC’s Heritage Campus on May 20. The event was one of 30 pinning ceremonies scheduled since the last week in April with 1,256 high school and academy students overall receiving pins. Some of these students are from as far away as Austwell-Tivoli High School located north of Rockport and Benavides High School located west of Kingsville. The CE Health Care Program offers national certifications for high school juniors and seniors that are obtained through American Allied Health, a credentialing agency that specializes in online allied health science national certifications. Students must pass an online exam that is proctored by DMC instructors to receive their certification. Juniors receive a Phlebotomy Technician certificate of completion while seniors receive the Introductory Medical Assistant Technician certification and a white coat that signifies they have two national certifications. Maria Guerra, DMC Program Manager for Continuing Education Health Care, notes there was a key change this year. To meet area workforce needs, juniors are now enrolling in the Phlebotomy Technician course rather than the Electrocardiography Technician course that previous cohorts completed. “We have discovered that there’s greater job demand for phlebotomy technicians, and so we have updated that offering to help both students and employers alike,” Guerra said. Following remarks by Dr. Leonard Rivera, DMC Vice President of Dual Enrollment & Continuing Education, school representatives presented awards to their students, including: • 46 juniors and 30 seniors attending Veterans Memorial High School who received certificates, pins and/or coats from Principal Scott Walker and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers Amanda Delagarza and Vanessa Castaneda, • nine juniors and 10 seniors attending Roy Miller High School who received their awards from Principal Dr. Aurelio Tamayo and CTE teacher Kimberly Tanner and CE Health Care instructor Rachel Perry. • 36 juniors and 26 seniors attending W. B. Ray High School who received their awards from Principal Roxanne Cuevas and CTE teachers Brittany Queen and Sharon Rocha. For more information about Del Mar College’s CE Health Programs, visit delmar.edu/ce/.
- Signing on the dotted line … nine individuals participate today during signing ceremony for DMC’s Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot ProgramArticle by Melinda Eddleman Del Mar College’s (DMC) new Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program is a “game changer” for in-district residents who qualify and are accepted to begin courses this fall. And much like athletes who sign contracts to play at the collegiate or professional level, applicants selected for the program don’t have to worry about paying for their courses, but they do have to “sign on the dotted line” and commit to completing their associate’s degrees within three years as full-time students. Today, May 21, nine new Vikings participated during a “signing ceremony” symbolizing their new journey in higher education this fall semester and a path to completing their associate’s degrees over the next three years as part of the first cohort to participate in the college’s Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program. The pilot program is a first for Del Mar College, and Dr. Escamilla noted, “For the first time in our 90-year history, we are waiving the cost of tuition and most fees for incoming freshmen who qualify for the program like these students.” He added, “We want our students to have the freedom to fully focus on what’s most important – completing their education and owning their dreams.” Roy Miller High School senior Jonathan Anguiano couldn’t agree more. The 18-year-old dual enrollment student who has focused on occupational courses to improve his welding skills said, “Even as a student coming straight out of high school into college, I work and have bills, so this program is a relief that my education is covered. It’s truly a blessing and a once-in-a-lifetime chance that Del Mar College is giving me this opportunity to not worry about tuition.” He plans to complete his Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Applied Technology and was among the nine individuals signing the Freedom to Dream contract during the ceremony. In early March, the DMC Board of Regents approved the pilot program. Aas of May 16, current count shows that 2,138 individuals have requested information about the program or applied. Approximately 1,145 individuals have met eligibility requirements and have been selected, and 532 individuals have signed their agreements. In-district residents can learn more and apply for the program through Aug. 1 at www.delmar.edu/freedom/. Durin the May 21 event, Board of Regents Chair Carol A. Scott said, “I want to add an adjective to this ceremony and call it ‘groundbreaking.’” She added, “The program truly increases access to higher education for more Coastal Bend residents – like these students. By removing financial barriers, the Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver creates a more level playing field for higher education.” The Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program covers tuition and some fees using “first-in funding,” which comes from two sources: 1) DMC Foundation funds previously donated for the Viking Promise Program and approved for use to support the pilot program by its Board of Trustees and 2) the revenue generated from the state’s outcomes-based funding model for community colleges established by House Bill 8 in 2023. The first-in funding model allows students to draw from their financial aid or scholarships as resources to pay for living expenses and other collegiate-related costs––such as books, gear or program-specific uniforms––so they can attend DMC full-time. “The Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program is making my dreams possible now that I don’t have to worry about paying for classes,” says Marysabel Lopez, who will graduate from high school among West Oso ISD’s Class of 2025 on May 30. “Instead, I can perform my heart out as a Music Education major because my dream is to teach the experience of being a part of music to younger generations.” Lopez signed her contract May 21, too. Qualifications for the first cohort include: All Qualifying Applicants: • Live in the Del Mar College District (taxing district), which includes the Calallen, Corpus Christi, Flour Bluff, Tuloso-Midway and West Oso Indepe3ndent School Districts. • Enroll full-time (12 Semester Credit Hours or more). • Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA). • Enroll in a for-credit program or certificate. • Commit to a formal agreement or “contract” to complete their studies withing a three-year period. High School Students: • Graduating among the Class of 2025 or equivalent. • Dual Credit students are eligible regardless of the number of Semester Credit Hours they have earned. Adult Learner: • First-time-in-college student with12 Semester Credit Hours or lLess. As an adult learner, 39-year-old Joseph Collin, who previously completed his high school equivalency or General Educational Development (GED) certificate at Del Mar College and earned three Semester Credit Hours toward Liberal Arts studies, plans to earn an Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree. Currently a reception group leader and phlebotomist at CSI Plasma, Collin says, “My dream is to become a Surgical First Assistant with specialties in Neurology, but more specifically, I want to focus on the brain and what causes Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.” Del Mar College’s Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program can propel Collin and others to do just that…“own their dreams.”
- Making the ‘American Dream’ possible … Del Mar College ranked among nation’s top 10% of all colleges providing access to upward economic mobility and successful outcomes for low-income studentsArticle by Melinda Eddleman For some parts of the country, chasing the ‘American Dream’ may seem impossible because of consistent economic disadvantages. Here in South Texas’ Coastal Bend region, access to workforce training, higher education and other resources––specifically at Del Mar College (DMC)––is greater than ever and helping the region’s residents move their standard of living upward. On May 13, the Board of Regents heard a report by DMC administrators that correlated the college’s initiatives and successful outcomes with research data presented by internationally recognized Dr. John N. Friedman, Briger Family Distinguished Professor of Economics and International and Public Affairs at Brown University, that included Del Mar College during his presentation, “Community Colleges and Upward Mobility,” during the Bellwether College Consortium’s Community College Futures Assembly held in San Antonio in February. College presenters covered findings presented by Dr. Friedman related to Americans’ inability to escape poverty and how Del Mar College is addressing that issue successfully here in the Coastal Bend. Scroll down to the end of this release to watch the full presentation. According to the New York Times’ College Mobility study (2017) used by Dr. Friedman during his February presentation, Del Mar College ranks in the top 10% among all colleges nationwide or 217th out of 2,137 with moving students from lower income levels to a better way of life. Additionally, the college ranks in the top 8% among two-year colleges nationwide and 34th out of 123 Texas colleges ranked in the Mobility Index study with DMC listed third below Laredo College (ranked 6th) and Central Texas College (ranked 23rd) among the nine institutions listed in the “Large College” category for the state. The Mobility Index measure reflects both access and outcomes representing the likelihood that a student who attended DMC moved up two or more income quintiles [RG1] in comparison to their parents’ income level. Known for its occupational and technical programs that meet industry partners’ workforce needs, the following table shows key career fields in the Coastal Bend region, the number of graduates completing DMC programs in these areas, median wage for local and peer graduates and the difference between the two median wages for years 2015-2022: Additionally, passage of House Bill 8 (HB 8) nearly two years ago restructured the state’s community college funding model, allowing DMC to develop and implement multi-faceted strategic initiatives that expand Coastal Bend residents’ access to higher education and workforce training while the college continues to optimize workforce development opportunities through community and industry partnerships. Among strategic initiatives to further propel students’ upward economic mobility are: • Dual Credit Financial Aid Swift Transfer (FAST) Program: Expanding Access and Equity - Expanded eligibility to all Coastal Bend high school students, covering tuition, fees and associated costs (Books and supplies) • Workforce-Focused Academic Pathways - Industrial Technology: (Process Technology/Welders) - Health Sciences: (Nurses, Dental Technicians, Allied Health Professionals) - STEM & Emerging Tech: $1.9 million City of Corpus Christi grant (AI, Robotics, Industrial Instrumentation) • Economic Impact and Community Partnerships - Del Mar College has a total annual impact of $716.7 million (EMSI Economic Study) - Valdar’s Market: Food Pantry – Support & Academic persistence - Health Services: Free dental hygiene clinics, free mobile medical services through the South Texas Family Planning & Health Corporation • Affordability and Accessibility Initiatives - Free Tuition Pilots: Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program - Low-Cost Credentials: Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership degree • Corporate Partnerships and Workforce Training - DMC’s Corporate Services training in safety, leadership, and technical skills - APEX Accelerator initiative assists local businesses get federal contracts • Guided Pathways to Success (GPS) - Advising Checkpoints: At 15, 30 and 45 credit hours completed - Transfer Pathways: Partnerships with universities
