Practice Spanish at Café Gijón this fall

Del Mar College’s Language Department will host Café Gijón, a weekly Spanish conversation table designed to help learners at all levels practice and enjoy the language in a relaxed, social setting. The first event was held Tuesday, Sept. 30 and continues every Tuesday through Oct. 28. Participants will meet from 12:30-12:55 p.m. in room 108 of the Coles Building (CB108). Café Gijón started at DMC in the Fall of 2006.  Professor of Spanish Javier Morin leads discussions based on the group’s interests. Topics could be anywhere from art and music to sports, history, or current events. “It started as a…

Del Mar barista debuts self published fantasy novel 

Del Mar College barista Samantha Wilhite, a full-time barista at Café Del Mar is celebrating a personal milestone: the recent self-publication of her debut fantasy novel, “Hidden within the Ritarikari.”  After years of writing and editing, Wilhite’s book is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. “I’ve been working on my book since the pandemic started,” Wilhite said, “Back in July of this year, I finished it and sent it off for publishing.” Her novel is a love story set in a richly imagined world of vampire royalty and magical kingdoms, weaving themes of choice, power, and destiny. The…

Del Mar College expands support for student-parents

DMC is reinforcing its commitment to student success by providing a broad range of resources and services for pregnant and parenting students. Through support initiatives, advocacy, and legal protections, the college aims to help student-parents balance academics and family responsibilities. Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Retention Sara J. King said DMC offers access to a variety of financial support. “There are several financial resources and support programs that are especially relevant for students who are parents, including grants & scholarships, on-campus childcare scholarships, payment plans, and emergency aid support,” said King. Del Mar offers on-campus childcare and scholarships, basic…

CAIN show seeks submissions

Del Mar College invites contemporary artists nationwide to submit original 2D and 3D artwork for the 60th Annual CAIN National, formerly the Annual Drawing and Small Sculpture Show.  Artists may submit two to eight pieces, all eligible for purchase. Juried by nationally acclaimed Tabitha Whitley, the exhibit will award three purchase prizes totaling $7,500. Selected works will join the prestigious DMC campus collection. The exhibition is open to the public. Full-time DMC art faculty are not eligible. Entry procedure for online only: Submissions accepted exclusively via Callforentry.org at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=15435 by Nov 30. Late entries will not be accepted.  Fee: $20…

DMC expands support for student-parents

DMC is reinforcing its commitment to student success by providing a broad range of resources and services for pregnant and parenting students. Through support initiatives, advocacy, and legal protections, the college aims to help student-parents balance academics and family responsibilities. Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Retention Sara J. King said DMC offers access to a variety of financial support. “There are several financial resources and support programs that are especially relevant for students who are parents, including grants & scholarships, on-campus childcare scholarships, payment plans, and emergency aid support,” said King. Del Mar offers on-campus childcare and scholarships, basic…

Decades of Del Mar art on display in Cain Gallery

Guests gathered at the Cain Gallery on DMC’s Heritage Campus for the opening reception of “Selections from the Permanent Collection,” part of the 2025 CAIN National Art Show.  The evening featured a curated selection of works from the college’s permanent art collection highlighting a diverse range of artistic voices and styles. Attendees enjoyed a lively atmosphere with a cash bar, free hors d’oeuvres from Citrus Bistro, and the opportunity to connect with artists, students, faculty and members of the local arts community.  Assistant Professor of the Art department, Elena Rodriguez found the art in those boxes fascinating and was amazed…

Robbins receives Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence

History professor Mark Robbins Ph.D. has been named 23rd recipient of the Dr. Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence, the college’s highest honor bestowed upon faculty for outstanding instruction and academic dedication. Robbins’ feels humbled to have been chosen for this award. “It’s quite an honor to even be thought of, to be eligible for this award,” said Robbins. “It’s always a pleasant surprise, considering really how many colleagues I have that are deserving of this to have been chosen.” The award, presented annually, recognizes educators who demonstrate a commitment to student success, innovation in the classroom, and a profound…

Buried treasures featured in new exhibit in Cain Gallery

DMC will host an opening reception for its newest art exhibit, “Selections from the Permanent Collection,” on Fri, Sept. 5, from 6-8 p.m. at the Cain Gallery on the Heritage campus. The exhibit features a curated selection of artworks acquired over the past five decades through the college’s prestigious CAIN National Art Show, which will celebrate its 60th year in 2026. Associate Professor of Art Kerstin Dale felt that the collection came together well. “It’s a really interesting collection of artwork because it is, even though it spans … 60 years’ worth of folks collecting artwork … our environment and…

SGA wraps up spring semester

Del Mar’s Student Government Association held their final meeting for the Spring 2025 semester at Heritage campus where the group discussed an upcoming conference, the success of two on-campus programs and the addition of a new mobile medical clinic. TJCSGA Convention The meeting kicked off with a discussion of the Texas Junior College Student Government Association convention, held April 10-13 in Galveston. “State conferences are about visiting with 50 other community colleges throughout Texas and discussing the needs for our students,” explained SGA Director and Advisor Beverly Cage. “These resolutions were sent to our state representatives in Austin, then DMC…

14 years of commemorating Aztec rituals

Local indigenous group Kalpulli Ehekatl Papalotzin celebrated their 14th anniversary with a two-day event surrounded by other Kalpulli members from across Texas and Mexico. The groups’ gatherings incorporated traditions dating back to Aztec (Mexica) celebrations. The events began April 4 with a traditional sacred sweat lodge known as temazcal, which originated with the indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica. The term temazcal originates from the Nahuatl language from the words teme (to bathe) and calli (house), or from the word temazcalli (house of heat). As each member arrived, they placed a lava rock on a mount that heats the stones until they…