April 11, 2003
Five Newest “Hall of Fame” Inductees Announced During College’s
52nd Annual Recognition Day
Hard work and enthusiasm paid off for students recognized for their achievements
Anticipation mounted as 10 finalists waited onstage for the final word. Which
five students would Del Mar College induct into the prestigious Hall of Fame?
At the end of the College’s 52nd Annual Recognition Day Ceremony on April
10, Del Mar officials announced the names of the 2002-2003 Hall of Fame inductees.
These students join the ranks of nearly 340 other Hall of Fame inductees chosen
for the honor since 1949.
Students inducted this year include: Amy N. Minnie, a journalism major; Betty
Ortega, a radiologic technology major; Jeffrey Stanley, a mathematics major;
Leticia Ann Villarreal, a culinary arts major; and Wanda Wilson, a social work
major. The College’s Hall of Fame is a distinguished group of students
selected for their scholarship, leadership, and participation in student organizations.
Currently, Amy N. Minnie works as the entertainment editor for The Foghorn,
the College’s student newspaper, and has been an active member of that
publication and the student magazine, The Siren, for the past three years. The
journalism major also contributes to EdgeWorks, a nonprofit organization that
supports independent video and film projects in Corpus Christi, and has sat
on its Board of Directors since July 2001 as Events/Festival Coordinator. Minnie
is president of the Del Mar College Press Club and a member of the international
honor society, Phi Theta Kappa. Among her outstanding achievements, she is listed
among other students in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior
Colleges for 2003, has received a number of awards from and participated in
competitions held by the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) and
the DMC Press Club and made the Dean’s Honor Roll twice, all while attending
the College full-time and holding a part-time job. Minnie is the recipient of
several scholarships, including the Del Mar College Regents’ Merit Award,
the Zula Hill Blucher Memorial Scholarship and the George and Maurine Yantis
English Scholarship.
Betty Ortega is a member of the international honor society, Phi Theta
Kappa, and served as treasurer in 2002. She is also active with the East Campus
Student Government Association (SGA) as well as the X-Ray Club as a radiologic
technology major. Among her many contributions to the institution, Ortega served
on the Student Service Fee Committee for two years. She has also volunteered
her time by helping organize SGA’s annual Operation Easter Bunny carnival,
participating in New Student Orientations, assisting with the Beach Clean Up
at Padre Island National Seashore and helping with activities at annual Halloween
events at the College and Heritage Park. Among her awards, Ortega made the College
Dean’s Honor Roll twice, was named to the 2000-2001 National Dean’s
List, received a U.S. Achievement Award for her work with SGA and was named
among students for the Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges
for 2002. She is also the recipient of the 2002-2003 Harry Fisher Memorial Scholarship.
Currently the president of Phi Theta Kappa, Jeffrey Stanley is an active
member of several initiatives undertaken by students at the College. The mathematics
major was elected spokesperson for Civic Engagement Week at Del Mar and has
served as a student host for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s
Civic-based Organization training at the institution. He is recognized as a
Del Mar Ambassador and a member of the Texas Campus Compact Student Civic Engagement
Team at the College. He also serves as treasurer for East Campus SGA this spring.
Among his innumerable activities, Stanley has volunteered his assistance for
Operation Easter Bunny, teacher/staff appreciation lunches, nursing home visits,
Operation S.O.S., annual Angel Tree gift requests for disadvantaged children,
the Corpus Christi Caller-Times Christmas Appeal, district meetings for Phi
Theta Kappa and new student orientations. In Fall 2002, he was named among the
Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. Outside of College
activities, Stanley volunteers at his church with teens and youth Bible study.
Leticia Ann Villarreal serves as president of the Student Texas Restaurant
Association. She is also a member of the West Campus Student Government Association.
The culinary arts major has volunteered her cooking talents for the College’s
annual Halloween Carnival as well as organized and supervised baking initiatives
for members at First Credit Union. Her culinary expertise became useful while
serving as a volunteer judge for the Spring 2001 VICA Regional Competition for
high school students held at the College’s Restaurant Management Building.
As a competitor in her own right, Villarreal has won two Silver Medals during
Culinary Arts Program salons in December 2001 and May 2002. The future chef
also made the College Dean’s Honor Roll twice. Among her activities apart
from the College, Villarreal has volunteered her talents at Fishes and Loaves,
HEB’s annual Feast of Sharing, the annual Temple Beth El Festival as well
as helped with annual class parties, fish fries and carnivals at her daughter’s
school.
As current president and founder of the Solomon M. Coles Student Association
at Del Mar College, Wonda Wilson keeps active as a member of several
student organizations, including serving as vice president of scholarships for
Phi Theta Kappa, magistrate for the East Campus Student Government Association
and a member of the TRIO Club to promote diversity. Among this mother’s
honors and awards, Wilson has been listed twice in Who’s Who Among Students
in American Junior Colleges, included in the 2002-2003 Talent Roster of Outstanding
Transfer Students from Community Colleges as well as received a President’s
Council Scholarship and Del Mar College Foundation, Inc. Scholarship. As a member
of Phi Theta Kappa, she has worked to promote Cancer Awareness Week and the
annual American Smoke-out while also volunteering at the Bokenkamp Treatment
Facility. Outside of College activities, Wilson began “The Lawson Family
Food Ministry” with her family preparing and delivering meals to hungry
and offering ministry. In addition, she volunteers with Christus Spohn’s
breast cancer awareness program, Reach to Recovery.
During the Recognition Day Ceremony, the College also recognized over 179 outstanding
students in the institution’s Honors Program and from its three instructional
divisions, which include Arts and Sciences, Business and Career Programs, and
Occupational Education and Technology. Del Mar also presented 40 scholarships
to recipients for the 2003-2004 academic year as well as recognized students
named to the current list of Who’s Who Among Students In American Junior
Colleges.
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