May 13, 2005
Tonight’s Spring Commencement Ceremonies Serve As Last Events College
to Hold in Richardson Auditorium Until Facility Renovations Completed
Spring 2005 Commencement marks first for President Dr. Carlos Garcia since
coming to Del Mar College
WHO: December 2004 and prospective May 2005 graduates; Guest commencement
speaker U.S. Judge Hilda Tagle, who presides over the Southern District of Texas
in the Brownsville Division; Del Mar College administrators, faculty and staff;
and graduates’ family and friends
WHAT: Spring 2005 Commencement Ceremonies
WHEN: 5:30 and 8 p.m., Friday, May 13 (TONIGHT)
WHERE: Richardson Auditorium, Del Mar College East Campus, Baldwin and Ayers
(campus map available at www.delmar.edu/maps/east.html)
VISUALS: Activities include presentation of the Colors by the Del Mar
College ROTC Color Guard; faculty processions led by Harold Teel, professor
of architectural and drafting technology, and Randy Flowers, professor of art,
at 5:30 p.m. and Pat Paris, chair of the Department of Allied Health and professor
of radiologic technology, and Anne Stewart, professor of kinesiology, health
studies and recreation, at 8 p.m.; ceremonial music performed by the Del Mar
College Concert Band; the national anthem sung by music faculty member Ronnie
Sanders, director of choral studies; and the procession of administrators, faculty
and December 2004 and prospective May 2005 graduates.
FYI: Spring 2005 Commencement ceremonies at Del Mar College may have
special meaning to some participants since tonight’s activities will be
the last held in Richardson Auditorium for a while. The facility, which is nearly
54 years old, will undergo $4.6 million in renovations including replacing the
central air conditioning, expanding the atrium, replacing and expanding seating,
extending the stage over the orchestra pit, updating the lighting and rigging
systems, updating compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by adding
ramps and a lift on stage as well as adding more bathrooms, lobby and dressing
room space.
Richardson Auditorium will go dark for about a year with the renovations being
part of the College’s $108 million capital improvement program.
Tonight also marks the first time the College’s President, Dr. Carlos
Garcia, will participate in commencement since coming to Del Mar College. The
institution will hold two ceremonies, 5:30 and 8 p.m., to confer over 970 associate’s
degrees and certificates to December 2004 and prospective May 2005 graduates.
U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle will address the audience and graduates. The
former Del Mar College student earned her associate’s degree from the institution
in 1968. In March 1998, the U.S. Senate appointed her to serve as U.S. District
Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division, making Judge
Tagle one of only six Hispanic female federal judges in the country and the
first and only Hispanic female federal judge in Texas. The following year, the
Former Students’ Association inducted the former Board of Trustee member
of Del Mar College Foundation into the College’s prestigious Wall of Honor
to recognizer her accomplishments and support for Del Mar College.
-DMC-mce