Community colleges seem to reflect the best of the best. Students are often a little older and are better able to focus on the path that allows them to flourish as people and professionals. Cindy Bonilla Banegas is a transfer Nursing major who will graduate in December. A young married woman with responsibilities at home and at work, she tackled her college courses with maturity and commitment. In the last two years, Cindy received not only the John Parker Davie Memorial Scholarship, but the Mr. Jesus and Mrs. Jesse Murillo Memorial Scholarship as well.

Now in her final semester at Galveston College, Cindy has graciously offered once more to help students who are native Spanish speakers in need of tutoring in their studies. Among the areas that she excels are Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics and Sociology. Needless to say, there are plenty of takers seeking her help and gentle instruction.

Depicted at the Sixth President’s Evening Recognizing Donors and Scholarship Recipients in February, Mrs. Catharine Darst-Knight, daughter of renowned Texas historian and professor, William Maury Darst* expressed her admiration for Cindy’s willingness to serve others while pursuing her college education. Cindy has a deep regard for the needs of others who struggle to succeed while learning the intricacies of a new language. Cindy’s ability to encourage and steady the successes of her peers prompted Mrs. Darst-Knight to say that Cindy may be a professor in her own right one day and probably sooner than anyone could imagine. How lucky those students will be!

Cindy’s dream of becoming a medical professional will soon be a reality. And Galveston College’s pride in her as one of our own will continue wherever the future takes her. 

*GC Faculty Senate endowed a scholarship in honor of Professor Darst's reputation as an educator and historian.