DMC officials announce plans to go ‘over the edge’ on Oct. 20
Article by: Michael Bratten
At a news conference today, Del Mar College (DMC) officials announced plans to go “over the edge” from the roof of a downtown Corpus Christi hotel in October to raise funds for student scholarships.
This will be the second year the College has held the Over the Edge rappelling event, scheduled for Oct. 20 at the Holiday Inn Corpus Christi Downtown Marina.
Last year, 27 people, including DMC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Escamilla, rappelled 20 stories from the roof of the hotel, raising a net total of $45,586 for scholarships.
I’m rappelling again this year because making higher education attainable to people in our community is what we’re here for. I encourage anyone who is a thrill-seeker to consider going over the edge with us. Believe me, it’s safe and it’s a lot of fun.
The DMC Foundation’s goal this year is to sign up 70 rappellers and raise $100,000. No climbing or rappelling experience is necessary – just the courage to go “over the edge” and a desire to raise donations for scholarships. To register, call 361-698-1317.
“This is the only rappelling fundraiser in the Coastal Bend,” said Mary McQueen, executive director of Development with the DMC Foundation, who also rappelled last year. “Looking down on the bayfront from the top of this building and knowing you’re doing something different in your own hometown for your community is an amazing thing.”
OTE Global is a special events company that stages the event for nonprofits around the world with organization leaders and community members raising donations in exchange for the experience of going “over the edge” and rappelling down a building.
Today’s news conference included recognition of a $25,000 contribution from presenting sponsor Flint Hills Resources. Other sponsors are the H-E-B Tournament of Champions, AGCM Inc., Port Corpus Christi, NuStar Energy and Wienerschnitzel.
Rappellers who participated in last year’s event were also on hand to demonstrate the helmets, harnesses and other gear required to rappel down the side of a building. The distance from the hotel roof to the street below is about 200 feet.
Interested thrill seekers can sign up anytime between now and October to raise funds toward their rappelling opportunity. Participants will set up their own donation page where family, friends and colleagues can donate funds using social media.
To learn more, visit www.delmar.edu/foundation or call the DMC Foundation at 361-698-1317.
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.