Author: Gabriella Ybarra

Campus, Community

Brightwood students receive aid

Gabriella Ybarra

Nursing student Ashley Puente never expected to go to class and hear that her college was shutting down.  Puente, 25, was one of the estimated 200 Brightwood College students who on Dec. 5 suddenly learned they were at risk of losing all their credits.  The for-profit institution permanently shut down operations at its Greenwood location, leaving students and teachers stunned and wanting answers. According to the college, it had been stripped of its accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges.  “Everything was good, I had nothing bad to say about the school,” Puente said. “Then they just shut it…

Campus, Staff

A life dedicated to education

Gabriella Ybarra

Former Del Mar College speech professor Jacqueline Ganschow died Feb. 10. She was 66 years old. Ganschow, who retired in 2014, worked at Del Mar for 43 years and served as the chair of the Communications Department for 10 years. She won numerous awards and recognitions during her time as an educator including Del Mar’s Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence, the Texas Speech Communication Association’s Community College Educator of the Year, and the coveted Piper Professor award.  Ganschow, born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1952 to a military family, had a passion for teaching and was loved and respected by…

Campus

Scooters get the boot

Gabriella Ybarra

Although there is no official school policy on the issue, Del Mar is taking steps to limit the use of motorized scooters on campus.  The scooters, from companies such as Bird and Blue Duck, have led to questions about the safety and security of on-campus motorized vehicles.  “The administration prefers that we do not have them on campus,” said Chief of Security Lauren White. “Because of construction and the absence of designated bike lanes, they are to be ridden on the street.” Del Mar is asking students to not use them on campus sidewalks, which are already experiencing increased foot…

Campus

Over 1,000 students receive false notifications

Gabriella Ybarra

According to the financial aid office, between 1,000 and 1,100 students who were in good standing received the message.  “I would like to offer all the Del Mar students that were impacted by the warning status my sincerest apologies,” financial aid director Joseph Ruiz said. “I take full responsibility for this error.” The financial aid office says they are actively working to fix the status of each student and that those who received the warning by mistake will not be at risk of losing their financial aid for the spring.  “There were several factors that contributed to this error but…

Campus, Community

Cheech is buying what she’s selling

Gabriella Ybarra

Actor/comedian purchases artwork from DMC professor Del Mar College art professor Amorette Garza never thought she would be able to express her Mexican-American heritage on such a national level. The sculpture artist is now a part of what is otherwise known as the largest private Chicano art collection in the United States, amassed by beloved actor and comedian Cheech Marin. Cheech approached Garza earlier this year about purchasing two of her artworks, following a recommendation by the Art Museum of South Texas. “It’s extremely validating to be a part of this prestigious collection,” Garza said. “Cheech is very observant and…