It’s all ‘Pomp & Circumstance’ … Del Mar College Class of May 2025 taking ‘center stage’ at American Bank Center this Friday, May 16
Article by Melinda Eddleman The tune is a familiar one during graduation ceremonies whether for elementary, high school or college graduates. We’re talking about “Pomp & Circumstance,” and for the 713[RG1] out of the 953 prospective graduates making up the Class of May 2025, this Friday night will mark a new chapter in their lives when they march into and out of the arena at the American Bank Center during Del Mar College’s (DMC) Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Overall, the college is awarding 1,214 certificates and associate’s degrees combined to the total graduating class this spring. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Due to limited tickets that graduates may provide to family and friends to attend the ceremony in-person, DMC will livestream the event. Individuals can go online to watch beginning at 6:30 p.m. using the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlH4sJtrpgg. Before participating prospective graduates walk the stage, DMC alumnus Dr. Wayne Morris, D.D.S./F.A.G.D., will provide the keynote address. Originally from Goldthwaite, Texas, Dr. Morris lived in Hebbronville for six years before moving with his family to Corpus Christi at age 11. An angler from a young age, he caught a nearly 7-foot-long tarpon off the old Bob Hall Pier at age 12, a fish longer than he was tall. The W.B. Ray High School graduate attended Del Mar College before graduating from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He then completed his studies at The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. Dr. Morris retired from his local practice after 50 years of providing dental care to his patients. As a young athlete, Dr. Morris played football on the Ray High School team and was a senior when “The Fighting Texans” won the state championship in 1959. He then played on Del Mar College’s football team in 1960 when the Vikings won the Pioneer Conference Championship for a second year in a row. That year was also the last that the college fielded a football team. The DMC freshman also served as president of his class during the 1960-1961 academic year. Dr. Morris is a member of the Nueces Valley District Dental Society and has served in every board position, including the presidency. He is a longtime member of the American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association. He earned a fellowship in 1992 from the Academy of General Dentistry after completing 1,500 hours of continuing dental education and passing a comprehensive exam covering the field. Father of three sons and grandfather to five children, Dr. Morris has coached Youth Football and Little League Baseball for 30 years. Two Little League teams even made their way to the state championship tournament, and one player coached by Dr. Morris moved through the ranks all the way to Major League Baseball. For over 55 years, Dr. Morris has attended the First Christian Church of Corpus Christi where he has served as a Congregational Elder for more than 40 years. He has been married to his Ray High School sweetheart, Janet, since 2018.
