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With growth comes possibilities …. Del Mar College Foundation 2024 Scholarship Dinner brings record number of students and scholarship supporters face-to-face at American Bank Center on Oct. 3

Article by Melinda Eddleman/Richard Guerrero, Jr. He describes his ArcelorMittal Texas Scholarship as the “fuel for my emotions that drives me to keep going.” Del Mar College (DMC) Process Technology major Jesus Alvarado, Jr. has had a challenging year, including losing his father, but he can’t wait to meet leadership from the company that is supporting his education through their generous donations that inspire Alvarado to keep focused on his dream––a good paying job that allows for balance between work and life, supporting his family, the ability to purchase a home and travel. On Thursday, Oct. 3, Alvarado had the opportunity, along with over 215 other scholarship recipients, to thank in-person their benefactors during the Del Mar College Foundation’s 2024 Scholarship Dinner at the American Bank Center. The 2024-2025 academic year marks record-setting scholarships awarded by the DMC Foundation, totaling over $2.5 million and helping over 1,100 students. DMC Foundation staff noted that 3,281 students applied for scholarships for the current academic year, an indicator that parallels the College’s enrollment growth this fall by more than 12 percent with 12,098 students attending classes. Busby added that since 2020, more than $12,254,265 in DMC Foundation scholarships and privately funded student emergency aid has been awarded to over 9,553 students attending Del Mar College. During the scholarship dinner, Alvarado and two donors, including ArcelorMittal Texas HBI Chief Executive Officer Uwe Leopold and retired Associate Professor Emeritus of Business Drue Jones, were featured during a video as part of programming. Alvarado is no stranger to Del Mar College and first earned an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from DMC in 2015 before moving on to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree four years later. However, not until Alvarado returned to the College this spring as a Process Technology major and explored his funding options through the DMC Foundation did he receive his first scholarship––the ArcelorMittal Texas Scholarship. As a commuter student who lives in Ingleside and with classes on the Windward Campus, Alvarado said that the scholarship helps him cover various expenses, such as the cost of fuel during his daily treks to and from campus, which averages 60 to 70 miles a day. “My scholarship definitely eases the burden of having to pay for school and helps put some money back into my pocket so I can pay for gas,” he said. In addition to his studies, Alvarado works full time as the Billing, Safety and Compliance Manager for Lydia Ann Channel Fleet, a position he has held since May 2023. Among his duties, he ensures that the facility is compliant with Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards as well as vessels maintaining compliance regulations set forth by the U.S. Coast Guard, creates vessel maintenance plans along with employee training programs and oversees security drills for all boats and facilities. Alvarado also serves among leadership of the Del Mar Chapter of the Industrial Process Technology Association (IPTA), a registered student organization. The club emphasizes the value of teamwork and mutual support to ensure success among its members. “Some of us are a little older, and some of us are younger, but we all have that same dream – that same career path – and we know that we can lean on one another to support each other,” he said about PTA. ArcelorMittal Texas HBI recognizes the type of leadership that Alvarado represents among Del Mar College’s students. “Whenever someone graduates from Del Mar College, usually these [individuals] are leaders and innovators of the future,” Leopold said of why the company supports scholarships through the DMC Foundation. “You not only impact or influence a certain individual, you also have an impact on the community as a whole.” Leopold noted that scholarship donations are not just a good investment but also are a means to “being a good neighbor.” ArcelorMittal Texas HBI has supported student scholarships to build a quality workforce and also provide residents living around them the opportunity to pursue career training that supports ArcelorMittal’s employment needs while providing good jobs. Earlier this year, College and DMC Foundation leadership recognized and celebrated ArcelorMittal Texas HBI for reaching a cumulative “half million dollar mark” in scholarship donations and other support over a four-year period. The Feb. 15 event observed that the company’s investment at that time had impacted the lives of 93 DMC students majoring in the Welding Technology, Process Technology, Industrial Instrumentation and Millwright programs, which are all career training fields stipulated in the criteria to receive the scholarship to fulfill the company’s efforts to build their workforce. Since the February celebration, the DMC Foundation has awarded another $90,000 of ArcelorMittal Texas Scholarships to 30 students, including Alvarado. Jones’ video segment paid tribute to her late father, Corpus Christi Mayor Emeritus and former Corpus Christi Army Depot Commander Luther Jones, and the scholarship she established in his name. She noted that her father was a high school graduate who was running a gas station when he was drafted into military service during World War II; but during his 29-year career with the U.S. Army, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. His daughter’s fondest memories include when she, her siblings and the late Jones all sat at the dining room table working on school assignments together as her father furthered his own education. “I know the sacrifices he made to improve his life and our lives, and I saw the same thing at Del Mar when I was teaching,” Jones said while recollecting her own childhood and time at DMC. “I saw students who were juggling childcare and work life and community responsibilities and trying to keep everything together long enough to complete their goal.” Additionally, event organizers showed a video in tribute to the late Eugene “Gene” H. Bouligny, who is credited as one of the founders of the DMC Foundation 41 years ago. He is the only DMC Foundation Board of Trustees member to serve twice as President (1987 to 1992 and 1996 to 1997) and generously supported the College through his philanthropic endeavors, including the donation with William “Dusty” Durrill of the former grocery store the College renovated into the DMC Center for Economic Development and Bouligny’s fund-matching challenges that led to millions of dollars given to support scholarships. Beginning Feb. 1, 2025, the Foundation will start taking scholarship applications for the next academic year, which is 2025-2026. Donations can be arranged year-round. To learn more about the DMC Foundation either as a scholarship applicant or a donor, visit www.delmar.edu/foundation, call main line at 361-698-1317 or email foundation@delmar.edu.

Where Tradition Begins: Del Mar College Hosting First “Viking Fest” Oct. 25

Article by DMC College Relations/Adrienne VanBrunt There’s always a “first,” and this year, Del Mar College will make history by hosting its first “Viking Fest” on Friday, Oct. 25. The public is invited to join the festivities from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Windward Campus (4101 Old Brownsville Rd., 78405) for an evening filled with fall fun, engaging activities and the spirit of Viking pride. More than just a fall festival, “Viking Fest” celebrates what it means to be a Viking with this family-friendly event offering entertainment and learning experiences for all ages. The event features a variety of giant inflatables––including a 100-foot obstacle course, pumpkin bounce house, frisbee toss, darts and sports activities like football, baseball, basketball, soccer and golf––carnival games, a car show and live music. The College also will highlight several programs with impressive displays, such as a semi-truck and simulator, an EMT vehicle and a fire truck––all used for training DMC students for successful careers. There’s even a costume contest and Zombie & Monster Walk/Run, so come dressed to impress! “Viking Fest” is a community event with free admission. Tickets sales cover carnival games that support DMC student clubs, food and beverages. Information about the event is available on the Viking Fest Facebook page and the DMC web page, which includes a map showing the event layout and a performance, awards and costume contest schedule. Questions can also be directed to College Relations Marketing & Events Executive Director Jason H. Houlihan at 361-698-1247 or jhouliha@delmar.edu. Leading up to “Viking Fest” that day, the College’s Welding Technology Program will host their third annual Día de los Muertos Welding Competition with area high school, college and trade school students showcasing their skills as they compete for scholarships and other prizes. Competition begins at 10 a.m., and the community is welcome to watch these future professional welders demonstrate what it takes to enter the field. Winners will be announced and awards given at 5:30 p.m. on the live music stage. But, if you’re more into Zombies and monsters and like to dress up as one, Intramurals with the College’s Kinesiology Program will host a one-mile Zombie & Monster Walk/Run with in-person registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Emergency Training Building (FEMA Dome). Individuals can also pre-register online, and the first 50 registrants will receive a complimentary tee-shirt for participating in this free activity. The festival also features live music with the popular Jon Carr Band, known for their lively country and rock tunes. Between sets, DJ DIJIT will keep the atmosphere amped up with upbeat tracks. Stage activities also include the “Viking Fest” Costume Contest at 8:30 p.m. with all ages welcome to compete. Winners will receive a $50 gift card for best costume. And, of course, what is a festival without games? DMC student clubs will host carnival games for exciting giveaways with free candy and $1 ticket purchases in the Coleman Center to cover those activities, along with food and beverages. Each year, the carnival games help the student clubs raise funds for their campus- and community-focused activities. Among clubs participating are the Aviation Maintenance Club, BBQ Club, Dental Assisting Club, Hospitality Chefs Student Association, Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity and the Rad Dragons Radiology Club, among many more. As part of this year’s event, student clubs will compete to collect the most tickets at their booths to win one of three top spots for sponsorship prizes to support their initiatives. Viking Fest sponsors include Steel Dynamics, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Collier, Johnson & Woods, P.C., Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, Pepsi, Rally Credit Union, ReadyFlo Systems, Schneider Electric, SpawGlass, Turner | Ramirez Architects and Valero. Download the 2024 “Viking Fest” flyer to print and share. On Oct. 25, we look forward to seeing you there!

DMC Board of Regents get “sneak peek,” tour final three capital improvement program projects funded by 2014 bond referendum

Article by Melinda Eddleman Renovation and repurposing––they can give new life to old buildings. On Oct. 8, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents and administrators, along with architects and contractors, toured three buildings on the Heritage Campus to see the transformation they’ve undergone as part of a $157 million bond referendum for capital improvements on the Heritage and Windward campuses. DMC District taxpayers approved that bond in 2014. The three buildings––Memorial Building, Viking Hall and the William F. White, Jr. Library––represent the final stages of overall renovation and construction projects funded by the bond. Viking Hall, the former Fine Arts Center Music Building, began serving students this past summer and houses programs with the Business Administration and Entrepreneurship Department, including the College’s new Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership degree. The Memorial Building, which will house the College’s administrative offices, and White Library will open in January 2025. Capital improvement costs for the three buildings the Board toured today represent a total cost of $62,077,131 or almost 40 percent of the $157 million bond. Total costs for each renovation project include $17,776,059 for the Memorial Building, $12,221,464 for Viking Hall and $28,245,275 for White Library. Besides the Memorial Building, Viking Hall and White Library, other Heritage Campus projects funded by the 2014 bond include the construction of the General Academic and Music Building Phase II (GAMBII) and the renovation of a former bookstore at the corner of Ayers and Edwards streets that now serves as the DMC Police Station. Windward Campus projects include the expansion of the Emerging Technology Building and the construction of the Workforce Development Center. Funds from the 2014 bond were also earmarked to develop a masterplan for the College’s Oso Creek Campus on the southside of Corpus Christi. DMC District taxpayers passed a separate bond referendum to fund that campus in 2016.

Flour Bluff Junior High School students visit Del Mar College to learn how to make tortillas as part of Hispanic Heritage Month

Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr. Mmmmm…the smell of fresh, homemade flour tortillas. Can you smell them? On Thursday, Oct. 10, 47 students in the Spanish 1 and 2 classes as well as the advanced class taught by Gabriela Palm at Flour Bluff Junior High School got a chance to learn how to make tortillas while visiting Del Mar College’s Heritage Campus to learn more about taking Spanish classes at the college level. Their visit included participating during one of the College’s scheduled Hispanic Heritage Month events, a “hands-on” cooking demonstration about how to make homemade flour tortillas by Chef Maria Mata, who is also the Coordinator of the College’s Languages Lab, and her assistant. The demonstration was also open to the public. Students and public participants learned about the history, techniques and secrets behind creating the essential staple of Mexican cuisine. The first order of the day for the students was a presentation by Javier Morin, DMC Professor of Spanish, entitled “Presenting Spanish in the Professions and the College Process for Majoring in Spanish.” Morin said he was excited to have the students visit Heritage Campus during Hispanic Heritage Month. “The Languages Program and the Spanish Faculty are absolutely thrilled to welcome these Flour Bluff Junior High School Spanish students to our Del Mar community. It’s another wonderful opportunity to share an experience during Hispanic Heritage Month and build a lasting friendship with Flour Bluff and Mrs. Palm,” Morin says. “It was especially exciting to see her students to learn how to make Mexican tortillas with Señora Mata.”

Del Mar College moving forward on revitalization of former primary school, facility to be renovated into Workforce Development Center in Aransas County

Article by Melinda Eddleman The Rockport-Fulton community will soon see a chain-link fence around the perimeter of what was once the Little Bay Primary School, along with a Del Mar College (DMC) sign indicating that renovations are coming soon. The College is moving forward with repurposing the facility into the Workforce Development Center, which will serve Rockport-Fulton, Aransas County and surrounding communities with higher education and workforce training opportunities that support those economies. While College officials anticipate renovation completion in fall 2025, once done, the 16,016 square-foot 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, building trades, light industrial/manufacturing, small business and entrepreneurship, makerspace, CAD/drafting, communications and broadcasting, maritime and general education. Courses will be offered not only by the College’s academic programs but also by Continuing Education and Corporate Services, providing students 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. DMC and the Rockport-Fulton Independent School District (ISD) have already partnered over the years to provide students with dual enrollment opportunities. When the Workforce Development Center is complete, the school district’s students will have access to more courses and programs, along with technology and hands-on training equipment, to prepare them to become contributing members of the regional workforce and economy. Academic coursework will also provide students the opportunity to complete programs at Del Mar College or transfer credits to area universities. “Our goal is to continue working with Rockport-Fulton ISD to provide programs that support students locally to advance in their College courses,” says Keas. “Overall, the Workforce Development Center will offer skills training and education that’s unique to the region, in demand by employers and focused on today’s economy. Those opportunities 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.” Matthew Busby, DMC Vice President of Development and Donor Advising, notes that many community members have given private donations toward the renovation project––over $438,000. The DMC Foundation will offer scholarships once the center opens, and donations toward supporting scholarship funds and renovation work is currently being accepted. To inquire, contact the DMC Office of Development at 361-698-1317 or foundation@delmar.edu. The partnership to establish the Workforce Development Center was initialized by a $1.7 million U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant that was awarded to Aransas County in early 2021. While ownership of the facility would reside with Aransas County, the College was to handle operations, including furnishing equipment and offering core curriculum courses and workforce training programs. The College received ownership of the center from the County this past summer. Efforts are now underway to transform the facility into the Workforce Development Center. Design work has been completed by Turner | Ramirez Architects and construction to remodel the interior is targeted to begin in January 2025.

Del Mar College’s Center for Access & Advocacy honors 8 employees during 10th annual Advocate of the Year ceremony

Eight individuals were recognized by students for the profound impact they have had on the lives of students with disabilities during the 10th annual Advocate of the Year ceremony at Del Mar College (DMC). Recognition awards were presented by the College’s Center for Access and Advocacy on Oct. 3 in Wolfe Recital Hall on the Heritage Campus. Rita Hernandez, Dean of Student Engagement & Retention, says the ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate faculty and staff members who go above and beyond to help students daily. “These are student-nominated awards – after all, they’re the ones who have received the direct support and who have benefited from it,” Hernandez said. “It’s really great to have a student honor you, so having this ceremony during Disability Awareness Month is a way for us to remember that our faculty and staff are compassionate and really believe in student success.” Dr. Elida Balboa De Leon, DMC Assistant Dean of Student Engagement & Retention, says the efforts these advocates make can increase students’ confidence, improve their academic performance and create a greater sense of belonging within the College’s community. “Our advocates are mentors and role models, serving as a source of guidance for our students. They help navigate academic and personal challenges, De Leon said. “Honoring our advocates celebrates their contributions and reinforces the importance of creating a supportive environment for all students.” The selection process begins with students themselves. DMC students nominate a faculty or staff member that has played a major role in referring them to the Center for Access and Advocacy office for services, following up on their progress once services are provided, and working with the student to ensure understanding of the material taught. The event is held every October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Center for Access and Advocacy hosts a month full of activities that highlight and bring disability awareness to students. Advocate of the Year awardees for 2024 are as follows: · Steven Kelm – Basic Construction Safety Program with the Continuing Education Department · Armando Gamez – Carpentry Program with the Continuing Education Department · Albert Curry – Mathematics Department · Darrell Rees – Mathematics Department · Dr. Wissam Atwah – Department of Computer Sciences, Engineering and Advanced Technology · Christi Hill-Troglin – American Sign Language and Interpreting Program · Linda Lugo – American Sign Language and Interpreting Program · Jim Galvan – American Sign Language and Interpreting Program

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