DMC Marking History with “Virtual” Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony on May 29

Article by: Melinda Eddleman

Normally, after those last projects are turned in and finals are taken, Del Mar College (DMC) prospective graduates prepare to literally take center stage to receive their certificates and associate’s degrees. But, the impact of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic has changed those plans with “walking the stage” taking on a whole new meaning for high schools, colleges and universities across the nation.

For the DMC Class of Spring 2020, a “virtual” commencement ceremony scheduled May 29 will mark history for the College as a new experience and will feature congratulatory videos, remarks, the reading of participating prospective graduates’ names, music and even an “after party” video with Corpus Christi native and Hip Hop Fusion artist El Dusty.

Del Mar College will award a combined 989 certificates and associate’s degrees to approximately 846 prospective Spring 2020 graduates with 290 of those students signing up to participate with the virtual ceremony. Students also will be given the opportunity to “walk the stage” at a later date when the College can schedule an in-person event when circumstances permit.

Several social media platforms are available to access the May 29 ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. The formal commencement begins at 7 p.m., and the “after party” will start after 8 p.m. The public is invited to watch all portions of this celebration by using one of the following links:

• Boxcast: https://boxcast.tv/view/virtual-graduation-ceremony-499260
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delmarcollege/
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z2aduHiZHiA or youtube.com/delmarcollege
• Twitter: @DelMarCollege

Congratulatory videos include those from U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, District 27; Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, District 32; Texas Rep. Abel Herrero, District 34; and DMC faculty. Student videos will serve as the keynote portion of the event, and parting remarks will come from graduating Student Government Association President Natasha Perez. College President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Escamilla, Ph.D., and DMC Board of Regents Chair Carol A. Scott will also speak with the president also officiating the commencement.

Even though next week’s commencement ceremony is virtual, viewers can expect the same fanfare the College presents during normal circumstances, including the Music Department’s performance of “Pomp & Circumstance,” only this time through multiple video screens, the national anthem and the traditional Viking Thunder Clap.

Rounding out the event, Latin Grammy-nominee Dusty Oliveira, or “El Dusty,” and friends have prepared a video “after party” for graduates, family, friends and the general public to enjoy and celebrate the DMC Class of Spring 2020. The producer, DJ and nu-cumbia pioneer is recognized for translating “the Southern Texas border experience into new barrio anthems where the MPC2000 sampler and chopped clips of Latin music history collide. His self-taught approach is as collaborative as it is singular, drawing from a crate-digging and turntablist tradition that links Latin classics with the new generation of bass-heavy sound system and hip-hop cultures."

El Dusty received a Latin Grammy nomination for “Cumbia Anthem.” Other credits include Rolling Stone magazine’s “10 New Artists You Need to Know,” Billboard’s “New Latin Act to Watch in 2016” and Pandora’s “Latin Artists to Watch 2016.”

Help Del Mar College recognize its prospective Spring 2020 graduates and join us online for the celebration!