Article by Melinda Eddleman

You may have heard his voice on the radio, seen him on television, read his articles or taken a Del Mar College (DMC) credit or noncredit class he taught.

On Nov. 10, 98-year-old retired U.S. Army Sergeant Dotson G. Lewis, Jr. was honored for teaching technology courses to Coastal Bend senior citizens through the College’s Continuing Education (CE) Department. Lewis was recognized by the DMC Board of Regents as he announced his retirement from teaching and received a certificate honoring his service.

Additionally, administrators announced the Dotson Lewis Scholarship that the Del Mar College Foundation will administer to assist DMC students pursuing higher education or career training at Del Mar College. Anyone can continue to donate to the scholarship to honor Lewis at give.delmar.edu.

“This scholarship provides a lasting tribute to Dotson’s service, dedication and sacrifice while helping deserving students pursue their educational dreams,” said Dr. Leonard Rivera, vice president of dual enrollment and continuing education, who presented the recognition.

He added that continued donations to the scholarship fund will honor Lewis’ legacy and open doors of opportunity for future generations and make a meaningful difference.

During public comments, former Senior Education student Jack Miller, who took computer skills and software courses taught by Lewis, addressed the educator’s dedication to ensuring senior residents had the technological skills to maintain their independence.

“Seniors are usually afraid of computers, and Dotson taught the basics to build our confidence,” Miller said, noting that Lewis spent 20 to 24 hours overall each week planning, traveling from the island and teaching Apple and Microsoft software skills, computer and smartphone use and their applications for everyday life.

Human Resources records show that Lewis started as an adjunct instructor with Del Mar College’s Kinesiology Department in 2009 and moved over to Continuing Education in 2015 to teach a variety of technology courses while offering extra computer lab time for student support. Other Continuing Education staff noted that he also volunteered teaching CE classes before becoming a DMC employee.

Additionally, he created a “Writing Your Story” course, helping veterans share stories about their military service and preserve their legacies for their families. He taught students how to explore their personal histories, share memorable experiences and turn life events, family traditions and special moments into written stories.

Lewis has also hosted the Corpus Christi Veterans Roundtable meetings at the College’s Center for Economic Development.

Of the recognition and his students, Lewis said, “I spent a lot of time working with these people, and it wasn’t work. It was fun. After spending many years working here, all I can say is ‘Keep senior education going.’”

About Dotson G. Lewis, Jr.

Born in Gunter, Texas, Lewis joined the U.S. Army 80 years ago when he turned 18 in 1946, and in 1948, General Douglas MacArthur presented the soldier with a gold watch.

As a member of the 1st Cavalry Division, he arrived for combat service a few days after the Korean War started, serving in that country for 13 months. He received several combat medals, including the Korean Service Award with five battle stars.

After the Korean War, Lewis was assigned to the Army Air Defense at Ft. Bliss near El Paso, Texas. He worked in research and development, primarily developing and testing surface-to-air missile systems.

In 1964 following the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Lewis and his family were deployed to the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany, where soon after his arrival he was assigned as the division’s Special Services NCOIC (Noncommissioned Officer in Charge). In 1967, he was chosen as the European “Sportsman of the Year” and then received the U.S. Army’s Legion of Merit Award the following year.

He left active duty in 1968 and retired from the reserves as a Master Sergeant, continuing to add to his accomplishments after a 21-year career with the U.S. Army, including becoming a writer, educator and sports official, along with fulfilling other roles. Lewis continues to serve the Coastal Bend community and local Veterans by hosting The Veterans Radio Round Table and writing for The Island Moon newspaper.

From 1968 to 1977, Lewis worked toward and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation, along with his master’s degree in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). During that period, he also worked as an instructor with the Physical Education Department and was director of UTEP’s Intramurals Program.

Lewis served as Supervisor of the Southwest Officials Association from 1977 to 1995, and between 1987 and 1995, he assisted with writing the annual CCA Football Mechanics Manual and the illustrated NCAA Football Rules manuals. Additionally, between 1995 and 1999 Lewis was honored in several Halls of Fame, including the Football Officiating and the Japanese-American Football Halls of Fame.

In July 2002, Lewis and his wife Peggy relocated to Corpus Christi, where he received the city’s Greatest Generation Award in 2008. His other accomplishments include hosting the radio talk show, “The Veterans Round Table” on 1440 KEYS, writing “Sports Talk” and “Senior Moments” for the Island Moon newspaper on Padre Island, serving as chair of the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee and working as an Instant Replay consultant.

In December 2019, Lewis gave the commencement address to the fall class, sharing his words of wisdom with nearly 400 graduates who participated in the ceremony.

As a man with many accomplishments, yesterday provided a special opportunity to thank Veterans like Lewis for their military service and commitment to the communities where they live as the country observed Veterans Day.

If you have some extra time on your hands this summer and need to expand your skills for the local job market, Del Mar College’s Continuing Education Department is offering four classes at Rockport-Fulton High School this July to get started…FAST! Registration is already underway with one course beginning Monday, July 13.

The four courses range from four days to four weeks and include career training to become an administrative assistant as well as health care training to become an Electrocardiography (EKG) technician. And courses can lead to earning Marketable Skills Awards that can also count toward DMC academic credit programs down the road.
 

The high school where these courses are scheduled is located at 1603 Pirate Drive, Rockport, Tx. 78382.

Rockport-Fulton and surrounding area residents can complete the following as part of taking that next step:

• Administrative Assistant: Beginning Accounting for Administrative Assistants (ACNT 1001): Mondays and Wednesdays, July 13-24, 6 to 9 p.m., cost is $242, no books required.
• Administrative Assistant: Communications in Management and Business Administration (BMGT 1005): Mondays and Wednesdays, July 27 - Aug. 7, 6 to 9 p.m., cost is $362, no books required.
• Electrocardiography: Medical Law and Ethics (HPRS 1005): Monday-Thursday, July 13-16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., cost is $195.
• Electrocardiography (ECRD 1011): Mondays through Thursdays, July 16 - Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., cost is $273. This course requires a prerequisite course (HPRS 1006: Essentials of Medical Terminology).

Learn more about the CE Electrocardiography Technician Program and admissions requirements at  www.delmar.edu/ce/healthcare/ekg/index.html. Details covering the department’s Administrative Assistant training program are available online at www.delmar.edu/ce/training/admin/index.html.

To learn more about the registration process for Continuing Education students and to register, visit www.delmar.edu/ce/registration.html or contact the CE Office at 361-698-1328 or ce@delmr.edu.

Financial aid may be available to registrants who qualify.

Del Mar College … where you can “own your dreams!”

-DMC-

It’s never too early to begin developing career-oriented skills, especially if you’re a high school student in rural South Texas where job prospects can be often challenging for experienced workers. To help students learn skills that are a good fit for employers in the region, the Rural

South Texas Economic Development Corporation created Los Mesteños Career Academy in 2008. The academy works to create community and regional partnerships, including one with Del Mar College, to provide career-training opportunities that otherwise would not be available.

The Los Mesteños Career Academy sponsors rural high schools such as Rivera, Falfurrias, and Premont High School, providing students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at Del Mar College while earning a paycheck. Through the program, students develop carpentry skills and gain real-world work experience while earning a real-world credential.

Nicole Ramon, Del Mar College (DMC) DMC Program Manager-Industry Training, Continuing Education and Off-Campus Programs, says DMC’s Career & Industry Training department recently hosted 23 students from rural high schools, including Premont, Rivera and Falfurrias, at Windward Campus.

The program held a Recognition Ceremony on June 18 to celebrate the accomplishments of the cohort during the training period. Joshua Rojas, South Texas Regional Director for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, assisted in the presentation of certificates.

During their time on campus, students participated in hands-on construction training, gaining valuable practical skills and exposure to career pathways in the industry. In addition to this experience, students will earn an Industry-Recognized Construction Credential through the Home Builders Institute.

“Through this collaboration, Del Mar College provides students with early exposure to construction and technical career pathways, along with hands-on training, industry experience, and the opportunity to earn recognized credentials,” Ramon said. “This partnership strengthens the connection between education and workforce development while supporting student access to career-focused training opportunities.”

The program is managed by Crystal Ramirez-Garcia, LMCA Executive Director, and Rebecca Salinas, Director of Career and Industry Training. For more information, call 361-698-2163 or email nramon@delmar.edu.

If you have youth constantly asking, “What’s there to do?,” Del Mar College has the solution with a variety of summer youth camps and programming to keep them busy and your patience intact. Between the Music Department’s camps focused on fine tuning young area musicians’ talents and Continuing Education’s variety of age-appropriate camps designed to expand their minds through fun learning activities, there’s something to pique the interests of your youth between the ages of 6 and 18.

For more information about each scheduled DMC camp, click each link provided for camp description, cost, time and location and to register and pay online. Questions can be directed to the department/division offering this summer’s camps.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT CAMPS:
 

Del Mar College’s Music Department offers camps that provide young Coastal Bend musicians the opportunity to have fun while honing their talents. Campers gain experience with world-class educators on the college’s Heritage Campus while meeting new friends who share the same musical interests. Summer 2026 camps include:

• Viking Classical Guitar Summer Camp (Tuesday-Thursday, June 2-4):  Designed for young guitarists who can read music and are familiar with basic classical guitar techniques. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1486745
 

• Summer Orchestra Program (Thursday evenings June 4 -25): High school-aged string players ––including violin, viola, cello and bass––rehearsing and  playing with the DMC Chamber Orchestra as they prepare for their annual summer concert scheduled 7 p.m. on Friday, June 26.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1484126
 

• Viking Band Camp (Monday-Thursday, June 8-11, with June 4 registration/payment deadline): Daily music-making with DMC world-class faculty and area distinguished music educators with camp also including fun activities, such as Viking Moving Day, an ice cream social and dance as well as Band Olympics.
 Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1487325 
 

• All-State Choir Camp––Large Schools (Monday-Thursday, June 22-25 with June 7 registration /payment deadline): Designed to prepare choral students for the 2026-2027 Texas Music Educators Association’s auditions with full rehearsals and sectionals as part of an intense, fun-filled summer camp.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1487598
 

• All-State Choir Camp––Small Schools (Monday-Thursday, June 29-July 2 with June 7 registration/payment deadline): Designed to prepare choral students for the 2026-2027 Texas Music Educators Association’s auditions with full rehearsals and sectionals as part of an intense, fun-filled summer camp.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1501706 
 

Contact the DMC Music Office at 361-698-1211 or music@delmar.edu if you have further quartinos about this year’s camps.

CONTINUING EDUCATION SUMMER CAMPS:
 

Del Mar College Continuing Education offers a variety of summer camps––15 in all––that are separated into age-appropriate groups and designed for youth in first through twelfth grade. Each camp provides interactive learning experiences and exploration of potential hobbies or future career paths with activities that elevate campers’ skills while having fun and meeting new friends. Summer 2026 camps include:

• Theater Camp: Introduces young performers to the exciting world of acting, storytelling and stage performance. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1615636

• Grades 1-5: June 8-12 and June 22-26 (two separate camps)
• Grades 6-8: June 8-12 and July 13-17 (two separate camps)

• Electrical Boards Camp: Teaches foundational electronics with campers building working circuits, robots and interactive devices. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633802

• Grades 9-12: June 15-18
• Grades 6-8: June 29 – July 2
• Grades 1-2:  July 13-16
• Grades 3-5: July 20-23

• Adventures in Carpentry: Provides hands-on training in woodworking, tool safety and building techniques and designed for all learners. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1615760

• Grades 9-12: June 15-18
• Grades 6-8: June 29 – July 2
• Grades 1-2: July 13-16
• Grades 3-5: July 20-23

• Code Breakers Camp: Learn to build websites, create app and develop games using coding associated with different platforms. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633650

• Grades 1-2: June 15-18
• Grades 3-5: June 29-July 2

• Creative Writing Camp: Exploration of storytelling, poetry and personal expression using a variety of writing styles while drawing from young writers’ imagination and giving them voices.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633630

• Grades 6-8: July 6-10 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. (two separate cams)

• Mad Scientist Camp: Hands-on mixing, building, experimenting and exploring that sparks curiosity and excitement about science.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633576 

• Grades 1-5: June 8-12, June 22-26 and July 20-24 (three separate camps)

• Once Upon a Camp: Imagination and adventure … activities bring stories to life through creativity, play and exploration.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1631586

• Grades 1-5: June 8-12 and June 22-26 (two separate camps)

• Industry Hot Jobs Camp: High school career exploration camp covering needed knowledge, soft and hard skills and necessary training for a variety of high-demand jobs in the Coastal bend’s industry sectors.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633746

• Grades 9-12:  July 20-24

• Cultured World Experiences Camp: Introduction among young learners to global cultures through immersive, hands-on experiences in art, music, dance, cuisine and storytelling as campers become “world travelers” without leaving home.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633570

• Grades 1-5: June 22-26 and July 13-17 (two separate camps)

• Junior Chef Camp: Introduction of essential kitchen skills, safety and cooking techniques with hands-on preparation of savory dishes in a professional culinary environment.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1615597

• Grades 3-5: July 6-10

• NextGen Chefs Camp:  Culinary experience for high school-aged campers in a commercial kitchen setting focused on foundational skills including safety, food preparation and much more.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1609929

• Grades 9-12: June 8-12, June 22-26, July 6-10 and July 20-24 (four separate camps)

• Roblox Makers Camp:  Teaches campers how to build, design and animate 3D worlds using Roblox Studio.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633712

• Grades 6-8: June 16-18 and June 29-July 2 (two camps)

• Career Exploration Camp:  Exploratory introduction for elementary students to the career possibilities they can pursue through role-playing activities and simple challenges that demonstrate what workers do in their jobs.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633742

• Grades 1-5: July 6-10

• STEM Careers Camp: Introduces youth to exciting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with hands-on interactive projects, experiments and team challenges.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633702

• Grades 1-5: July 13-17 (8 a.m. camp)
• Grades 5-8: July 13-17 (1 p.m. camp)

• Healthcare Career Exploration Camp:  Introduction of various health professions through hands-on skills activities, such as CPR, anatomy lessons and speaker panels with allied health professionals.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633478

• Grades 6-12: June 8-12

Contact DMC Continuing Education at 361-698-2222 or fdavis8@delmar.edu if you have further questions about this year’s camps.

For the first time in Del Mar College (DMC) Continuing Education’s history, a collective pinning ceremony was held at the Hilliard Center to bring together 639 Dual Enrollment Health Care students from 13 Coastal Bend high schools on May 14. College officials with the Division of Continuing Education have attended separate pining ceremonies at each participating high school across the region in previous years; however, this year DMC opted to present its first regionwide Continuing Education Health Care Pinning in the center’s arena.

DMC Continuing Education offers four Dual Enrollment health care training programs, including Electrocardiography Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Patient Care Technician and Introductory to Basic Medical Assistant. To date, DMC has formed Dual Enrollment partnerships with 35 high schools in the Coastal Bend. Thursday’s ceremony was limited to 13 schools, so the remaining schools – 63 percent – will host on-site pinning ceremonies as in previous years.

For these bright and ambitious go-getters, they celebrated the special feeling of completing the requirements for their certification. In health care, a pinning ceremony signifies a significant transition from academic theory to practical application, and it represents students completing rigorous academic and clinical training, which validates these students’ proficiency in applying critical thinking skills as well as practical skills acquired through hands-on experience.

Students receive a pin for each certification that they earn, which positions them for successful pursuits in more advanced DMC programs, such as Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapist Assistant and Respiratory Therapy, among others offered by the college’s Allied Health Department, and Licensed Vocational Nurse and Registered Nurse Programs overseen by the Nurse Education Department.

The largest subset of the certification completers was from the Corpus Christi Independent School District with 514 participants from seven schools, including:

• Moody High School: 112
• Carroll High School: 107
• Veterans Memorial High School: 102
• Ray High School: 69
• King High School: 60
• Harold T. Branch Academy: 37
• Miller High School: 27

Additionally, other schools near or in Corpus Christi included Calallen High School with 76 participants, the School of Science & Technology with 21, St. John Paul Academy with 10 and Solomon Coles High School with 4. Outlying participating schools with students who received pins included Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School with 10 participants and Austwell-Tivoli High School with 4.

Rachel Benavides, DMC Dean of Continuing & Community Education, says that the college’s Continuing Education pinning ceremonies for high school healthcare students celebrate their hard work, perseverance and dedication to earn their certification.

“Over the years, our pinning event has grown significantly, leading us to transition from multiple individual celebrations to one unified ceremony that honors all schools together,” she notes. “This shared celebration brings our communities together while recognizing and highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of each and every student in our healthcare programs.”

“Education, dedication and commitment will open doors from dreams and aspirations to once-thought-unreachable destinations despite life’s obstacles.” 

Those are the words of George Salazar, a Corpus Christi native who as a little boy grew up in an impoverished neighborhood, known as a barrio, and who dreamed of reaching the stars.

And, in a way he did.

Salazar’s career spans over 40 years with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, working on projects, such as the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle and the Artemis Human Lander. Now retired since January 2024, the engineer has written a memoir covering his life’s journey from that little boy with big dreams to reaching unexpected heights working on the world’s most advanced space exploration projects among NASA professionals.

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, Del Mar College Continuing Education will host an inspiring morning seminar with Salazar sharing a motivating account of his journey told in his memoir, “From the Barrio to NASA: Navigating Life’s Unexpected Challenges.” The FREE three-hour event is scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Tres Grace Community Room in the Culinary Arts Building on the Oso Creek Campus, 7002 Yorktown Blvd., 78414 (get directions and map).

During the seminar, participants who have “From the Barrio to NASA” can have Salazar sign their copy (get the book on Amazon).

 Questions? Contact Continuing Education staff member Christina Campos at 361-698-2156 or ccampos47@delmar.edu.  

During his career, Salazar received numerous awards, including the NASA Silver Achievement Medal, John F. Kennedy Astronautics Award and the NASA-Johnson Space Center Engineering Directorate Legacy Award for his contributions to human spaceflight. Other credits include co-authoring several technical papers on spacecraft design, systems engineering and Human Systems Integration.

Having attended courses at Del Mar College but graduating from North Harris County College, Salazar received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Southern Methodist University.

 Engineer turned author, Salazar’s passion is now sharing knowledge with students—reaching out to well over 19,000 students through speaking engagements, tutoring and mentoring––and his speaking engagement on Nov. 5 brings that passion to Del Mar College.

 As noted on Amazon’s book review, “Salazar’s story proves that where you start doesn’t define where you’ll finish.

For the first time in college history, Del Mar College recognized students from the Adult Education & Literacy, Continuing Education and Corporate Services Departments in a single ceremony that took place on June 3, 2025, in Richardson Performance Hall, located on the Heritage Campus of the College.

The Summer 2025 Continuing Education Recognition Ceremony featured 526 students who were recognized for their accomplishments – it was the Continuing Education Department’s largest recognition group to date. The ceremony also represented the first time all three programs honored their respective graduates during a single event.

Following opening remarks by Dr. Leonard Rivera, Del Mar College (DMC) Vice President of Dual Enrollment & Continuing Education, Communities in Schools of the Coastal Bend CEO Gloria Taylor delivered a moving keynote address that served to inspire everyone in the room. Taylor has led the organization for the past 15 years and brings nearly four decades of dedicated service to the nonprofit sector. Taylor was honored with a Y Women in Careers award in 2022 and was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024.

Adult Education recognized 11 individuals during its portion of the ceremony.

The Career Training Program recognized 74 individuals in four areas:

• 28 students in Administrative Assistant
• 5 in Child Development Associate
• 11 in Legal Secretary
• 30 in Real Estate

Corporate Services recognized 201 individuals in five areas:

• 169 students in Commercial Driver’s License
• 10 students in Commercial Driver’s License, Real Grant
• 6 students in Maritime Advanced Firefighting
• 9 students in Maritime Basic Safety Training
• 7 students in Structural Ironwork

Continuing Education’s Healthcare Program recognized 197 individuals in 5 areas:

• 53 students in Certified Nurse Aide
• 22 students in Billing and Coding
• 23 students in Medical Secretary
• 54 in Electrocardiography
• 45 in Phlebotomy

And, Continuing Education’s Industrial Program recognized 43 individuals in 3 areas:

• 30 students will receive the Electrical Helper Workforce Skills Award
• 2 students will receive the Plumbing Helper Workforce Skills Award
• 11 students will receive the Welding Helper Workforce Skills Award

They have a passion for photography and have spent time improving their skill to capture digitally the captivating images on the other side of the lens. And, their efforts and talent will be showcased during a two-week show, “Beyond the Frame: An Exhibition of Digital Photography,” that opens Monday, Dec. 2, at the Del Mar College (DMC) Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples, 78411 (directions).
 

The Dec. 2 opening reception is scheduled 6 to 8 p.m. in the front lobby of the center with light refreshments also available. ”Beyond the Frame” runs through Tuesday, Dec. 17 with exhibit viewing hours scheduled 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. until noon on Friday. Both the reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

For more reception and exhibit details, contact the DMC Continuing Education Office at 361-698-2122 or email ce@delmar.edu.

“Beyond the Frame” will feature 80 images captured by the most recent Digital Photography class with some of their work available for purchase. Subject matter ranges from landscapes to still life to nature, among others.

Continuing Education’s Digital Photography course is offered as part of their personal enrichment programming. The most recent round of students who will showcase what they’ve learned include: Jenny Aguilar, Andres Alaniz, Dora Alaniz, Patricia Bradshaw, Jessica Cano, Adelita Cavada, Christian Dela Garza, Melissa Esquivel, Jose Etheridge, Lauro Hernandez, Julian Juarez, Kristin Lane, Rosa M. Lazaro, Rokky Rich, Nicole Serrao, John Smith, Jeremy Tooley, Gary Uhlenhaker, Christina Vuittonet and Jennifer Wetz.

Interested in taking a DMC Continuing Education course or exploring their other programs? Visit  www.delmar.edu/ce/enrich/index.html or contact the CE Office at 361-698-1328 or ce@delmar.edu