Escamilla: COVID-19 may lead to long-term changes

College president addresses challenges, hopes for return to normalcy by mid-spring Almost seven months into the pandemic, people are still adjusting to the new reality, including students, professors and even college officials. Sixty percent of classes are now online, but in early March that wasn’t the case. COVID-19 hit abruptly, causing the campus to completely shut down and classes to move online. No one knew exactly how long this would go on and the transition was hard for everyone, including President Mark Escamilla and other college officials. “I always refer to March 13 as the day where all the information…

Board passes resolution in honor of Gabe Rivas

Longtime regent died at 66 of COVID-19 complications Del Mar’s Board of Regents unanimously adopted a resolution to honor Gabe Rivas during their Aug. 11 meeting.  Rivas, the first vice chair of the board, died Aug. 5 from complications of COVID-19. He was 66. The resolution will be signed by the regents then given to Rivas’ family.  Each regent then took time to honor Rivas, a longtime community activist, and share their memories of him.  “When I look at this resolution, I see the number of years Gabe served with dedication,” Regent Susan Hutchinson said during the meeting, conducted over Zoom. “What I remark though,…

College board member Gabriel Rivas dies from COVID-19 complications

Professional photographer was well-known for community activism Del Mar College Regent Gabriel Rivas III died Wednesday, college President Mark Escamilla confirmed Thursday. He was 66. Rivas, a longtime community activist, died of complications from COVID-19, his cousin Maria Elena Aguirre Mendez posted on Twitter late Wednesday. “Gabe touched each and everyone in some form, way or fashion. He was a great civic leader to the city of Corpus Christi,” Mendez said. Rivas was elected to his first six-year term on the college’s Board of Regents in 2000 and served four years as board president, according to Escamilla. He was also…