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DMC launches 90th Anniversary observances, holds grand opening for renovated Memorial Classroom Building and unveiling of Texas Historical Commission marker

Fri, Feb 7, 2025

07

February

2025

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19:51 PM

Europe/Amsterdam

Building represents first “official” campus after college’s founding in 1935; THC marker recognizes Del Mar College as “a centerpiece of higher education in the Coastal Bend region”

Article by Melinda Eddleman

Thousands of students have walked the halls of Memorial Classroom Building on the Del Mar College (DMC) Heritage Campus since the facility’s doors opened in 1942. First known as the Administration Building through 1972, the facility was the first permanent footprint of what was known at the time as Corpus Christi Junior College––the first junior college in the Coastal Bend region after Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) leaders steered the initiative and city voters approved a proposition to establish the college on July 30, 1935.

90th Logo_navy

90th Logo_navy

On Thursday, Feb. 6, DMC officials held an unveiling of the newly renovated building, along with a Texas Historical Commission marker recognizing Del Mar College as “a centerpiece of higher education in the Coastal Bend region.” About 125 campus and community participants attended the event, which served to launch the college's year-long observances of its 90th Anniversary.

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This is a moment of exceptional pride,. The building behind me is where Del Mar College started with construction completed in 1942, so think about it – an optimistic and growing city, embracing this new institution for higher learning even as the country was becoming firmly entrenched in World War II.

Dr. Mark Escamilla, Del Mar College President and Chief Executive Officer

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He added, “The structure has been a classic landmark at Ayers Street and Baldwin Boulevard ever since, and that legacy is something we’re extremely proud of at Del Mar College.”

Memorial Classroom Building Reopening_Guest Shot_020625

A large crowd of at least 125 audience members made up of Del Mar College faculty, staff and students as well as members of the Corpus Christi community celebrated the “grand opening” of the newly renovated Memorial Classroom Building as part of an unveiling ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, for the new Texas State Historical Marker, which is in front of the building. The ceremony was the start of Del Mar College’s 90th Anniversary celebration, which features observances all year long and will culminate in the fall. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

Memorial Classroom Building Reopening_Dr Mark Escamilla Addressing Guests_020625

Dr. Mark Escamilla, Del Mar College President and Chief Executive Officer, welcomes the crowd to the unveiling ceremony of the new Texas State Historical Marker in front of the Memorial Classroom Building on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. The event also celebrated the grand re-opening of the newly renovated facility as part of the college’s launch of its 90th Anniversary observances. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

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“This beautiful building is truly a landmark in Corpus Christi. As someone who has lived here many years, it also represents stability and longevity to me, and the building defines “heritage” here on the Heritage Campus.

Carol A. Scott, Del Mar College Board of Regents Chair

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She added, “The Del Mar College some of you may remember in past years was perfect for the previous generations of students. But times change, and so do the needs and expectations of our students, so in the last decade, we’ve acted to meet those needs as Del Mar College has evolved to become the 21st century college our students deserve.”

Board of Regents Chair Carol Scott_Memorial Classroom Reopening_020625

Board of Regents Chair Carol Scott_Memorial Classroom Reopening_020625

Scott reminded those attending the event that the Board of Regents never forgets who made the college’s growth and modernization possible: “You, the community,” she said, adding: “This renovation and many others started with the $157 million bond referendum, and as you will see, the bond funds have been put to good use, with an eye on good stewardship.”

The Memorial Classroom Building now houses the college’s Executive Administrative Offices, Human Resources Office and the College Relations Office, among others.

In addition to other celebratory activities during Thursday’s event, the college unveiled in front of Memorial Classroom Building a permanently installed Texas State Historical Marker provided by the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The historical designation and marker resulted from two former DMC students, Troy Nessner and Preston Martin, initiating the process as part of a project in History Professor Dr. Mark Robbins’ class back in 2017. Completion of that process took two years before the college received the marker, and now, the marker has a permanent home with the Memorial Classroom Building renovation completed.
 

Texas Historical Marker Group Shot_Unveiling_020625

Members of the media as well as audience attendees take photos of the group of individuals who revealed the new Texas State Historical Marker on Del Mar College’s Heritage Campus on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. The five participants are (from left) DMC History Professor Dr. Mark Robbins; Kathy Wemer, Nueces County Historical Commission; Dr. Mark Escamilla, DMC President and Chief Executive Officer; Troy Nessner, DMC alumnus; and DMC Board of Regents Chair Carol A. Scott. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

Texas Historical Marker_Unveiling_020625

On Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, Del Mar College (DMC) unveiled in front of Memorial Classroom Building a permanently installed Texas State Historical Marker provided by the Texas Historical Commission. The historical designation and marker resulted from two former DMC students, Troy Nessner and Preston Martin, initiating the process as part of a project in History Professor Dr. Mark Robbins’ class back in 2017. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

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.

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