Author: Victor Herrera

Campus, Community, Staff

Campus mourns loss of Dr. Patricia Benavides-Dominguez

Victor Herrera

Del Mar College’s Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Patricia Benavides-Dominguez, 62, passed away suddenly in the early evening hours of Oct. 5. Her passing took her friends, family and community by surprise. “Her legacy will continue to be felt for generations through the many lives she changed and the opportunities she helped create,” said Dean of Student Engagement and Retention Rita Hernandez in a written statement. “I am profoundly grateful for her impact on our community and for the generosity of her family in sharing her with us.” Benavides-Dominguez worked for Del Mar for more than 20 years in…

Campus

Students, teachers honored at Del Mar’s 2025-26 Recognition Day

Victor Herrera

Del Mar College’s 74th annual recognition ceremony welcomed new inductees into the Hall of Fame along with acknowledgements of 132 Outstanding Achievement students and three Teacher of the Year winners. On Sept. 3, Richardson Performance Hall on Heritage campus hosted DMC’s venerable honors ceremony, Recognition Day for the 2025-2026 academic year. The event normally takes place in May but due to structural issues discovered inside Richardson, the ceremony was postponed until the fall after the structural issues were fixed. Recognition Day honored 132 Outstanding Achievement Award recipients across the four academic divisions: Division of Business, Entrepreneurship and Health Sciences; Division…

Community, South Texas Stories

Supporters lead danza for leader’s freedom

Victor Herrera

Local indigenous teacher of Mexica culture and traditions Adalberto Zanes was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last month and now his community is meeting in danzas to pray for justice. On Sept. 13, the group performed seven ceremonial danzas over the course of two hours in the South Texas heat at Carroll Lane Park to pray and advocate for Zanes’ release. Zanes is the leader of Kalpulli Ehekatl Papalotizin, which translates to Venerable Butterfly of the Wind, a dance group that performs traditional Mexica indigenous dances which are considered forms of prayer. Many of the group members have been…

Campus, Community, Education, Texas

Gov. Abbott pushes for less tech in Texas classrooms

Victor Herrera

Gov. Greg Abbott visited Del Mar College Aug. 13, to support lessened screentime in K-12 education in Texas. Abbott was joined by state reps. Denise Villalobos and Todd Hunter, along with school administrators, superintendents and Del Mar College staff at the Lichtenstein Center for Early Learning on Heritage Campus. He unveiled the push to limit screentime in part of a broader plan to make Texas the nation’s top state in education for Pre-K-12. According to U.S. News and World Report, Texas is currently ranked 30th for best Pre-K-12 education. “My solution is to create a learning environment that prioritizes physical…

Community, Featured, Features, South Texas Stories, Texas

Beyond Sex : Coastal Bend Kink Weekend

Victor Herrera

A three-day convention held in Corpus Christi this summer sought to educate, entertain and create shared community around one central unifier: kink. The event, Coastal Bend Kink Weekend, took place August 14-16 as a safe space for like-minded individuals to engage with a variety of kinks, attend educational lectures, and see physical demonstrations on how to best practice a particular kink safely and consensually. The evening hours featured entertainment and the Play Space, a dungeon area where people could engage in their kinks openly, though with strict rules: no cell phones, no one under 21 years of age, and perhaps…

Community, Texas

Texas Democrats rally in Corpus Christi for three-day state convention

Victor Herrera

Thousands of delegates arrived in Corpus Christi Thursday, June 25 for the Texas Democratic Convention, giving a boost not only to the local economy but to the overall morale of the convention via concerts and shared values.  Many arrived from all over Texas to the Hilliard Center to find common ground with like-minded individuals who wish to turn the state blue.  Democratic candidates spoke with delegates, as they wish to represent their needs in the upcoming November elections. Events and activities included performances by mariachi bands and traditional Mexican folklorico dancers, along with a Donor Appreciation Reception at the Art Museum…

Community

Protesters gather at Dilley detention center

Victor Herrera

Protesters from across Texas convened in Dilley, Texas on April 18 to object to inhumane conditions reported at Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the nation’s only migrant family detention facility.  Dozens of protesters from Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley, participated in the planned protest organized by the Blue Bunny Brigade, Project Unidad, and the League of United Latin American Citizens, along with other civil rights groups. Organizers stated their overall goal is shutting down the detention center, with the children released and families reconnected by Mother’s Day. The number of detainees in the facility has decreased…

Campus

Denim Day aims to raise awareness for survivors of sexual assault

Victor Herrera

Del Mar College will host Denim Day activities at the Heritage Campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 to raise awareness of sexual assault and show solidarity with survivors.  “Sexual violence can happen to anyone, no matter their age, race, gender, or what they are wearing,” said Counseling Center Director Jessica Edwards. Students and staff will wear jeans in support of those who have experienced sexual violence, along with hosting a display to share messages of support and learn about sexual assault prevention and awareness. Del Mar once again is partnering with The Purple Door, an organization…

Community

Hundreds take part in local of No Kings 3.0 protests downtown

Victor Herrera

Hundreds of protestors turned out for the Corpus Christi No Kings 3.0 protest at Oleander Point in Cole Park on March 28, part of nationwide opposition to the current actions of the federal administration. Protesters lined Ocean Drive, holding signs addressing many issues in the American public eye: the Iran war, rising gas prices and the cost of tariffed items, issues with Immigration Customs Enforcement and disapproval of authoritarianism targeting specific ethnic minority groups. The movement is named in direct opposition to President Donald Trump, citing his overuse of federal power. The No Kings 3.0 protest, named for the third…

Community

Corpus Christi legend Ronnie Mathis loses battle to cancer

Victor Herrera

Ronnie “Pointy Boots” Mathis, a Corpus Christi icon known for his stylish strolls around town in long-toed boots and custom suits, died March 19 at 70.  Mathis died surrounded by loved ones after a battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer.  Known as a positive force throughout the city and his life, Mathis was a cultural legend with grand cowboy hats, multi-colored suits, and a bright personality to match the courage of his ensemble. Inspired in part by his twin brother Donnie Mathis, who sports similar attire only without the pair of pointy boots, Mathis had cultivated his memorable flair along…