LEVELLAND – Edgar Delgado of Sudan has been named the 2024 recipient of South Plains College’s President’s Student of the Year award. Delgado received the award during the Spring 2024 afternoon commencement ceremony on May 10 in the Texan Dome.
The President’s Student of the Year is an honor presented annually to an outstanding student who exemplifies excellence in academics and has contributed the most to the SPC campus environment. It is the highest recognition a student can receive at the college.
Delgado, a graduating business administration major, was surprised to be recognized with this honor from the college. He said the people working at SPC really care for the student body.
“I come from a really small town,” he said. “Coming to SPC, I thought I would blend in with the crowd, so being recognized with this award is really cool.”
Attending a school closer to home and the cost of tuition were a few reasons Delgado said SPC became his top pick to start his college journey.
In addition, Delgado said he does not feel like a number at SPC compared to how some students at bigger universities may feel. After graduating high school, he said the small class sizes at SPC were another important factor that drew him to the college.
“I was really scared that I was going to be shocked at a bigger university,” he said regarding his thought process when selecting a college. “I was able to ease into the college experience at SPC.”
For Delgado, an important component of the effortless transition to SPC was being able to easily connect with the faculty members. This opportunity to bond with his professors was a benefit he liked most about the college.
“If I have a question in class, it’s easier to raise my hand and get an answer from the professor,” he said regarding the small class sizes. “When I go to a professor’s office hours, I’m actually connecting with the professor.”
Dr. Sherley Rios, associate professor of sociology, was Delgado’s Mexican American studies instructor. He said Dr. Rios was always available in class and during office hours when he needed help.
“I took her class, and, at the same time, I started the Hispanic organization on campus (Juntos Somos Más),” he said. “She was the one helping me put the organization together.”
Delgado also credits Anastasia Maldonado, coordinator of New Student Programs at SPC, as a significant contributor to the creation and organization of Juntos Somos Más. In addition to being the student founder of the organization, he served as a Campus Ambassador.
Being inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and being named the 2024 Homecoming King (representing Juntos Somos Más) are other achievements Delgado experienced while at SPC.
Delgado is the son of Dagoberto and Martha Delgado, and he is a graduate of Sudan High School. After graduating from SPC, he will transfer to Texas Tech University to pursue a degree in finance and hopes to attend law school someday.