Jaclean Harris (left) and Thomas Lane (right) accept their award.
Eddie Puente/Editor In Chief
Del Mar College added two more names to the Hall Of Fame on April 29, 2012. The college recognized two students for their commitment to academic excellence and participation in leadership roles in various student organizations. The recognition ceremony marks the 61-year that the college has highlighted students who strive for achievement.
Thomas “Tommy” Lane and Jaclean Yvette Harris were this year’s inductees. The college has acknowledged over 370 students with this honor since 1949. Also on the program was the announcement of the Outstanding Academic Students of the Year for each department. The newest addition to the Who’ s Who Among Students in American Junior College consisted of 15 DMC students.
Both Lane and Harris have served terms as President of the Student Government Association, Lane in 2010 -2011 and Harris is the current president.
Lane, an engineering major, said the award was not for him. It was for all of those who have supported and helped him over the years to get to this point in his life. “My family, my Brothers LOST INC. MC, and friends are the reason I have been selected for this award. Without their support, it is unlikely I would have been selected for this honor,” said Lane. The Hall of Fame is not a sign of success for him. Lane referred to the Hall of Fame as an official “pat on the back”, letting him know that he is on the right track to becoming successful.
Lane, a “non-traditional” student, returned to college at the age of 30 and faced many challenges in life that lead him to Del Mar College. With the help of his two sisters he was able to overcome the obstacles in his path, one being the issue of pride. He credits two faculty members with assistance that has also helped him drive on. Advisor and friend Dr. Laura Parr and Marla Chisholm were instrumental in keeping him motivated to succeed according to Lane.
As far as Lane is concerned, the Hall of Fame is not something that students should strive to achieve. It was never one of his goals. “Concentrate on your studies. Concentrate on helping others succeed. Concentrate on making yourself succeed. Concentrate on earning your degree or certificate. If you do all of this, the Hall of Fame will come to you before you know it,” said Lane.
Harris, a history and kinesiology major is a member of the Gamma Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and historian for the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education
The 2012 Instructors of the Year Award was also presented at the ceremony. One instructor was selected from the DMC East and West Campuses. Students were able to go online and vote for their favorite instructor. Joseph Dudek, Assistant Professor of Airframe & Power Plant Applied technology, was chosen from the West Campus while Maria Bujak Goodman, Mathematics adjunct instructor, received the award for the East Campus.
