QUICK TAKES - FEBRUARY 2020

During the regular meeting held by the Board of Regents on Feb. 4, one retired English faculty member, DMC Music students and two administrative staff and one faculty member were recognized, including:

• The Board of Regents unanimously approved the distinguished title of “Professor Emeritus” to Dr. Barbara Craig, retired English Professor of the College’s Department of English and Philosophy. During her 37 years with Del Mar College, Dr. Craig provided exceptionally notable contributions, dedication and service to DMC students, the institution and the community, even at the international level. After earning her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in English, Education & Communication from Ohio University in 1981, Dr. Craig joined the DMC faculty full-time and retired in 2018 as a tenured professor. As a life-long learner who participated in numerous national conferences to expand her own teaching skills, Dr. Craig incorporated into the classroom the benefits of what she learned whether from presenting her own professional research or what she learned from others. Always an advocate for student success, she was instrumental in the inclusion of part-time students for consideration of scholarships and the College’s Outstanding Student Awards. Dr. Craig’s extensive list of recognitions and accomplishments includes receiving the College’s 2012 Dr. Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence, making her the eleventh recipient of this prestigious recognition. Beginning in 2008, she was nominated multiple semesters as DMC Teacher of the Year and was named in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 1998 and 2005. She is credited with creating curriculum for developmental education courses, developing the popular Portrayal of Women in Literature course and facilitating healthy living by offering the “Quick Fixes for Stress” workshops for both DMC students and employees, among her extensive contributions to Del `Mar College. Her service beyond the campus includes establishing Grace Community Libraries in nine rural locations in Ghana, touching the lives of village children through books. Dr. Craig established a legacy at Del Mar College through her mentorship of students and faculty, innovative teaching methods, involvement with College and professional affiliate activities and her generosity outside the campus community. Today, she continues her service supporting “student success” by helping potential future DMC students through her current volunteer work with Street Book and the Early Readers Program.

• Music Department students were recognized and congratulated on earning positions with the Texas Community College Band Directors Association (TCCBDA) 2020 All-State Symphonic Band. The six students inclu de Rudy Benjamin Camareno (Trombone), Gerald Espejo (Clarinet), Manuel Jasso (French Horn), Eric Heatherley Oboe), Joel Hernandez (Clarinet) and Joseph Salinas (Euphonium). Additionally, Hernandez is the winner of the TCCBDA’s Concerto Competition and will play as the featured guest soloist during the Texas Music Educators Association and TCCBDA All-State Band Concert in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center during both associations’ 2020 conference in San Antonio later this month. The six students competed for their positions against other community college music majors from across the state. Special thanks were extended to Dr. Abel Saldivar Ramirez, Associate Professor and Conductor of the DMC Wind Ensemble, along with numerous faculty members who mentor these students. The students’ accomplishments demonstrate their dedication and countless hours of practice. To read a full news release about Hernandez, click here.

• Two DMC administrative staff and one faculty member who recently earned their Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees were recognized for their hard work and accomplishments. Dr. Dan Fischer, Director of Counseling, Disability & Retention Services earned an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University while both Assistant Professor of Learning Resources Lisa Muilenburg and Natalie Villarreal, Director of External & Board Relations, earned an Ed.D. in Community College Leadership. Dr. Muilenburg received her degree from National American University, and Dr. Villarreal earned her degree from Kansas State University.