Corpus Christi, TX,
08
November
2017
|
07:00 AM
Europe/Amsterdam

Late Cake and Confectionary Artist Gary Cargile Homan Remembered Through Anonymous $100,000 Scholarship Donation

Summary

Article by: Melinda Eddleman

Her passion started with a Wilton cake decorating class for fun. Over time, she built her hobby into a business, Gary Homan & Company in the Gulfway Shopping Center, and became well--known for her wedding and specialty masterpieces that served as focal points during events for local families, culinary masters and Texas and national leaders.

On Nov. 8, Del Mar College and the DMC Foundation recognized Homan’s love of “paying it forward” through teaching and sharing her culinary talent with others by announcing the Gary Cargile Homan Scholarship.

An $100,000 donation given by an anonymous foundation with ties to her family has provided this opportunity to continue touching the lives of those who share the late Homan’s passion.

 

Homan passed away Nov. 17, 2016, at age 71. Born in Wharton, Texas, she grew up in Corpus Christi, graduated from W.B. Ray High School in 1964 and attended Del Mar College where she became a culinary instructor later in life.

“Gary Homan touched many students in her 20-plus years of direct involvement with the College’s pastry and culinary arts programs, including serving on advisory committees and judging salon competitions,” said Bob Ard, retired chair who oversaw the Hospitality Management Department. “Her support was critical during the American Culinary Federation and Southern Association of Colleges and School accreditation processes, and she also helped with implementing the pastry degree offering and hiring of our pastry instructor before I retired.”

Homan’s family noted in a statement that her “reputation grew across South Texas, and families from across the area had to have a Gary Homan groom’s cake or wedding cake. She provided cakes for weddings and events at the Corpus Christi Country Club, Town Club, Art Center of Corpus Christi, NAS Corpus Christi, the King Ranch and the San Antonio Country Club, among many other places. Cakes and confections from Gary Homan & Company were featured at events for local families, the Governor, local politicians and even Martha Stewart. Gary spared no amount of time or effort to make sure her cakes were beautiful, elegant and impactful”

Del Mar assistant professor of Baking/Pastry Specialization Claudia Hurt, who worked for Homan for a few years, noted how the baker served as her mentor. “We stayed friends after my employment, and Gary always supported me. In fact, she served on the committee that hired me when I applied for a full-time position at Del Mar College,” Hurt said.

 

I’ll always remember that Gary greeted everyone with a smile and was a giving person who taught me to share, create beautiful sugar art and be kind to others. She influenced me to continue preserving the art of baking and teaching others what we both love. I miss her very much, and this generous gesture in her honor is very special to me.
Chef Caludia Hurt, Assistant Professor of Baking/Pastry Specialization

Adding to Hurt’s sentiments, Ard said, “Gary shared generously her skills, insistence on excellence, encouragement, tenacity and poise. Through her business and other professional endeavors, she exposed our students to the many artistic facets in her field. Thanks to the anonymous donor, Gary Homan's legacy will continue to influence many more lives.”

Applying for the Gary Cargile Homan Scholarship and others is available through the DMC Foundation’s regular application process. The Foundation takes applications February through April each year for the following academic year, which begins with the fall semester.

For more information about applying for scholarships, contact the DMC Foundation at 361-698-1317 or foundation@delmar.edu. Individuals can also visit resources online at www.delmar.edu/foundation.

 

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.