Delfino Salinas III ’25 Named Outstanding Islander Graduate for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Appearances can be deceiving, especially for nursing students completing clinicals in real hospital settings. One moment, a patient may appear stable, and the next, their condition can take a sudden turn. That’s exactly what happened to Delfino Salinas III ’25. Initially, his patient seemed fine. But when he returned just moments later, he found her sluggish and showing signs of cognitive decline.
“Trusting my instincts and training, I quickly performed a blood glucose check and discovered that my patient was hypoglycemic,” Salinas said. “This moment stands out to me because it highlighted the crucial thinking and quick decision-making skills that TAMU-CC has instilled in me. This experience truly embodies the kind of impact we, as Islanders, can have on the lives of others.”
Salinas has been named the Spring 2025 Outstanding Islander Graduate for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing on Saturday, May 17, during the university’s largest commencement ceremony in history.
For Salinas, the decision to pursue a career in medicine was shaped by a moment that took place before his college days, one centered on a simple act of kindness.
“It wasn’t until my grandma was placed in hospice that I truly understood the profound impact nurses have, not only on their patients but also on the families they care for,” Salinas said. “I still remember the compassion and support these incredible nurses provided to my grandma and my family during such a difficult time. It was in that moment that I realized I could combine my passion for science with my desire to help others.”
Nursing led Salinas from his hometown of Edinburg, in the Rio Grande Valley, to the Island University. He first visited Texas A&M-Corpus Christi during a high school field trip in his sophomore year.
“I was captivated by the positive atmosphere, the stunning coastal location, and most importantly, the unwavering support provided by the university’s faculty and staff,” Salinas said.
Salinas quickly began making his mark at his new home. In his first year, he became an Island Ambassador, a role that allowed him to recruit future Islanders by leading campus tours and participating in community events. He was also involved in a hands-on research project that used virtual reality to help nursing students learn about sepsis and strokes. He also joined Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and expanded his clinical experience as a student nurse technician at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
As one might imagine, balancing school and work was no easy task, and just as Salinas began to find his rhythm, tragedy struck.
“In the fall of 2022, halfway through my first semester, I lost both my grandparents, the people who had been the cornerstones of my life,” Salinas said. “Everything came crashing down. I felt disconnected from my roots, uncertain if I had the strength to continue. But amidst that profound grief, something inside me stirred. I realized that my grandparents wouldn’t want me to surrender. Every lecture, every assignment, became my way of honoring them. With fierce dedication, I finished the semester stronger than I ever thought possible.”
Less than a year later, Salinas faced another unimaginable loss.
“In the summer of 2023, my brother-in-law was killed in a horrific 16-wheeler accident,” Salinas said. “In the blink of an eye, my sister, freshly postpartum with a two-week-old baby and overwhelmed with the joy of motherhood, found herself shattered. Before my nephew was born, my sister and her husband had asked me to be my nephew’s godfather, but now I also had to step up as a father figure. In that moment, I realized that finishing my education wasn’t just for me, it was for that little boy, too.”
Salinas returned to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with renewed determination. He excelled academically and earned several scholarships that helped him continue his education, including the HRSA SDS Scholarship, the John and Augusta Doan Endowed Annual Scholarship, the Kayla Hewitt Memorial Scholarship, the Wright Family Scholarship Endowment, the Chapman Hulings Scholarship Endowment, and others.
“Delfino has demonstrated academic excellence, maintaining an impressive 3.8 GPA, and earning a place on the Dean’s List in multiple semesters,” said Amy McClure, TAMU-CC Assistant Clinical Professor. “His resilience and determination in overcoming adversity are truly commendable.”
Through hard times and with hard work, Salinas has made it to graduation. His next step: serving as a registered nurse at Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley.
“Since my first day as an Islander, I have experienced significant personal and academic growth,” Salinas said. “Thanks to the education and values I’ve received at TAMU-CC, I’m not only a more confident and compassionate individual, but also ready to take on the world as an Islander, bringing care and compassion to the communities I serve.”
