| Volume 20, No. 5 |
May 15, 2013 |
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'It has changed my life':
New Palm Beach State honors graduate Aida Rodriguez is headed to the University of Pennsylvania after receiving the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. (more) |
Building STEAM:
Former Pepsi and Apple exec John Sculley will explore job creation, entrepreneurship, and the growing need for science and technology professionals at the Foundation's next STEAM event May 30 at the Duncan Theatre. (more) |
Sneakers go wild for health awareness:
The Lake Worth campus became more health conscious and fashion forward during April's Health & Wellness Week when about 600 students, staff and faculty took part in exercise classes, a health fair and first-time fun events. (more) |
Florida Legislature approves $6.5 million for fifth campus
Florida legislators have allocated $6.5 million in the new state budget for Palm Beach State College to build a fifth campus.
The campus is slated for construction in Loxahatchee Groves to provide more convenient access for students and residents in the midwestern Palm Beach County communities, including Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee and The Acreage.
The funding is part of the state's $74.5 billion budget for 2013-2014, which still must be approved by Gov. Rick Scott. The College already spent $4.5 million last year to purchase 75 acres at the intersection of Southern Boulevard and B Road. The Legislature had budgeted $7.3 million last year for Palm Beach State to begin building a fifth campus, but Scott vetoed the funding.
While the College has received all of the necessary land-use approvals from the Loxahatchee Town Council, a group of residents has filed a lawsuit against the town. They want to put the measure on a ballot for residents in Loxahatchee Groves to consider. However, College leaders are optimistic.
"Our plan of action is to continue to move forward to develop the campus master plan,'' said Dr. Dennis Gallon, Palm Beach State College president. "If the governor approves the $6.5 million state allocation, we would have the funding we need to begin work on the infrastructure no later than the beginning of next year, and perhaps even later this year. Our enthusiasm for proceeding has not diminished at all, and I truly believe the majority of the people in that community do support our building that campus."
Gates scholarship winner earns Palm Beach State degree while in high school
Glades Central High School seniors, from left, Thercy Amilcar, Monica Rodriguez, Nathalie Fleitas and Concha Prieto all completed their Associate in Arts degrees while in high school and are heading to Florida universities this fall. Prieto also is a 2013 winner of the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship, which will cover her college expenses.
When Glades Central High School senior Concha Prieto began taking dual enrollment classes at Palm Beach State College in fall 2010, she was thinking about her family.
If she worked hard to complete her Associate in Arts degree while in high school, she reasoned, and win a Gates Millennium Scholarship like her older sister, she could earn her bachelor's without squeezing her parents financially or being saddled with student loan debt.
With two younger siblings still at home, Prieto said she didn't want to burden her parents, particularly her father, a former migrant worker who works at a sugar mill and is the sole breadwinner. "They worked hard all of their lives. I know they have two other children that they have to take care of. I didn't want them to pay for something that I could have gotten out of the way."
The South Bay resident took a rigorous schedule of college and high school classes and applied for early admission to Palm Beach State last fall. That allowed her to enroll full time to finish her credits. "I had to sacrifice a lot of sleep,'' she said of juggling college and high school coursework. "It was tiring, but I felt good knowing that I was doing good in my classes. I felt that it's worth it."
Prieto, 18, is among more than 2,600 students who received degrees and certificates from Palm Beach State College this term, including three other Glades Central High School students who also completed their Associate in Arts degree requirements while in high school. They are Nathalie Fleitas, who has been accepted to Florida International University to study marketing; Thercy Amilcar, an aspiring physical therapist who will attend the University of South Florida, and Monica Rodriguez, who has been accepted to Florida Atlantic University and plans to become a teacher.
More than 1,300 students participated in the commencement ceremony at the Palm Beach County Convention Center May 9. The spring class included 43 graduates of the Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College and the first three students to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Prieto also is among 1,000 students chosen this year for the Gates Millennium Scholars program administered by the United Negro College Fund; more than 17,000 students applied nationwide, according to a GMS spokeswoman. The good-through-graduation scholarship will cover her expenses to attend USF where she plans to study pharmacy. As a Gates Millennium Scholar, she also will receive leadership development opportunities, mentoring and academic and social support.
"She was an excellent student,'' said Palm Beach State Professor Ron Capute, who was her scholarship recommender. "She was mature beyond her years in terms of her studies. She took her schooling seriously."
Prieto, who graduated with Presidential Distinction granted to those with a GPA of 3.8 to 4.0, is the second person in her family to earn the Gates Millennium Scholarship. Her sister, Juliana, now a student at the University of Miami, had won in 2010 and also completed her associate degree requirements at Palm Beach State while she was at Glades Central.
"I feel that this scholarship just opens up so many opportunities for you," Prieto said.
Because of a school district rule, pursuing early admission to Palm Beach State meant that Prieto could not be valedictorian or salutatorian in her graduation class at Glades Central, but that didn't bother her.
"I didn't care about the titles,'' she said. "That doesn't matter to me." It (receiving the A.A. degree while in high school) is an accomplishment I wanted."
Her father, Ruben, said he is proud of both of his daughters. Neither he nor his wife has a high school diploma.
"I'm very happy,'' he said. "They are good girls."
To view commencement photos, visit www.flickr.com/photos/palmbeachstatecollege.
Pomp and circumstance: Professor ends career on high note
Music Professor Robert Jones plays the keyboard at commencement for the last time May 9. He has retired after 35 years at Palm Beach State, and for more than 25 of those years he provided live music at every commencement ceremony. "This could be a Guinness World Record," he joked. "In those days we used to use an actual organ as opposed to a keyboard, which we didn't have back then. So, we had to haul an organ to every graduation." Jones said he was honored and surprised to be recognized by President Dennis Gallon at commencement. "I was really caught off guard."
Honors College graduate earns Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Aida Rodriguez can breathe a little easier now that she has money to continue her education.
The new Palm Beach State College graduate has been named a 2013 recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship which will pay up to $30,000 per year for two to three years to cover tuition, living expenses, books and required fees to pursue her bachelor's degree. The Lake Worth resident is among 73 students nationwide to receive the scholarship.
"I was overfilled with joy to know that I had been one of 73 awarded the scholarship,'' said Rodriguez who received her Associate in Arts degree this month. "Without it I would struggle to finish my undergraduate career. It's not just about the honor and prestige; it's really about how it has changed my life. It has made things possible for me that would not be possible without it."
The competitive scholarship from the Virginia-based Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is awarded annually to top community college students with financial need. Students do not apply directly to the foundation. Instead community colleges can nominate up to four students. Rodriguez is the fifth Palm Beach State student ever to receive the scholarship.
A native of Mexico, Rodriguez came to the United States with her parents when she was six years old. In 2010, she graduated from South Tech Academy charter school where she studied cosmetology. While she liked styling hair, she soon realized that would not be her ultimate career.
"I have always been an honors student always getting high grades. I knew I had to go to college,'' said Rodriguez, whose goal is to eventually earn a doctorate in social psychology and work with disadvantaged youth. She has been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania and plans to enroll this fall.
At Palm Beach State, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and was actively involved in student clubs ASPIRA and Students Working for Equal Rights (SWER). This year she served as core leader of SWER and editor of "Sabiduría," the peer review journal for the Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College. She also was a peer mentor for the Dr. Kathryn W. Davis Global Education Center on the Lake Worth campus.
Building STEAM: May 30 event to feature former Pepsi, Apple exec John Sculley
Tickets are going fast for the appearance of former Apple Inc. president and Pepsi executive John Sculley at Palm Beach State College's upcoming STEAM event. Sculley will share his thoughts on ways to work with local entrepreneurs to create jobs and the growing need for science and technology professionals. His talk is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at the Duncan Theatre, Lake Worth campus, and includes a post-presentation reception. Bank of America is top sponsor.
Tickets at $50 each can be purchased by calling the Palm Beach State College Foundation at 561-868-3450 or online at www.palmbeachstate.edu/foundation/STEAM.
After establishing a national reputation as a successful big brand consumer marketer with Pepsi, Sculley was recruited by Steve Jobs to head up Apple in 1983. At the time, Apple products were outsold by Atari, Commodore, Tandy and IBM. By the time Sculley left Apple 10 years later, the Macintosh had become the largest selling personal computer in the world, and Apple's revenue had grown over 1,000 percent.
Palm Beach State's five-year STEAM initiative targets the so-called STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also adding the arts into its scope. The STEAM goal is to support student enrollment in these fields by providing 1,000 new scholarship awards, creating 50 academic program enhancements and generating 100 new business partnerships with 50 new internship opportunities.
Sculley's visit is the second public event presented through this Foundation initiative. More than 600 attended the Jan. 31 STEAM launch luncheon at the Kravis Center featuring computer icon Steve Wozniak.
"We plan to continue the excitement started in January and to keep engaging the community throughout the year," said Suellen Mann, Foundation executive director. "This first follow-up event with John Sculley presents a different aspect of closing the gap on STEAM education, as he will share his experiences of working with local companies. In September, we plan to offer an educational event, and of course, we are already planning next January's luncheon with a world-class speaker."
Lake Worth campus has a BALL during Health and Wellness Week
(Above) Lake Worth campus staff and faculty practiced every Wednesday for five weeks to get ready for the Flash Mob performance, a highlight of Health and Wellness Week, April 2-4. (Inset) The "Conga Walk" gets underway in MLK Plaza.
It's not every day that you see a conga line of dressed-alike students, staff and faculty creating a river of blue T-shirts moving through Palm Beach State College's Lake Worth campus.
They were all having a BALL embracing the "Be Active & Live Longer" motto of the 2013 Health and Wellness Week, a first-time College event devoted to raising health awareness, held April 2-4. The enthusiasm was exactly what Judy McCauley and Lyn Becker hoped for as members of the 11-person planning committee. "The committee wanted to engage the campus in a weeklong event of wellness activities," said McCauley, associate professor and chair, Dental Hygiene department.
A "Conga Walk" kicked off the week, along with a "Sneakers Gone Wild Contest." Participants were encouraged to decorate a pair of sneakers in three categories: Most School Spirited, Sneakers Gone Wildest and Most Creative. The conga line began in MLK Plaza and took the walkers around the perimeter of the College. The line grew longer and longer as people joined in along the way.
"About 125 people participated in the Conga Walk. It was amazing and everyone was energized," commented Becker, Wellness Center coordinator.
The week's main event was the April 3 health fair in the gymnasium, which included basic health screenings, HIV testing and info tables on dental hygiene, smoking cessation and nursing. Massage therapy students gave chair massages, and Honors College students ran fun nutrition games. The College's Jumpstart Jump Rope Club had participants reliving their younger days. Attendees also could "Ask the Doctors" and receive expert consultations with members of the Tenet Physicians Group. And what health event would be complete without exercise? Mini-workouts were held throughout the day, including Enerobics, a high-energy aerobic exercise based on tai chi principles; Kangoo Jumps, a rebound fitness program with special boots; and the ever-popular Zumba, led by Palm Beach State's own Edith M. Robinson-Johnson, computer resources manager on the Lake Worth campus.
The final day of Health and Wellness Week, held in the Student Commons area, showcased the Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body campaign. Students and staff from the College's Dental Health programs offered participants the chance to swap their old toothbrushes for new ones. Dental Health students surveyed more than 300 members of the campus community about their views on oral health. Participants received a dental health product bag with toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash. "This was a great event for us to interact with the campus and help raise the awareness of dental health as related to total body health," said McCauley.
All Fired Up
College and civic leaders celebrate after the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the newly-completed Public Safety Training Center on the Lake Worth campus April 26. With the theme of "Heroes Happen Here," the event included an honor guard presentation of colors, music by the Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services Pipes and Drums Team, speeches by local dignitaries, and tours of the $34.9 million complex. From left are Criminal Justice Institute Director Joseph Shroeder, President Dennis Gallon, Board of Trustees Chair David H. Talley, Dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety Jacqueline Rogers, Trustee Carolyn Williams, County Commissioner and Vice Mayor Priscilla Taylor and Balfour Beatty Senior Vice President Clinton Glass.
Paramedic students bring home first place honors
The award-winning smiles of Paramedic students (from left) Mark Lucas, Mike Redmond and Anthony Pesaturo tell the story of their win at a prestigious Broward County EMS competition. The photo was taken by Paramedic student Charles Ross, the team's alternate member.
The Panthermedics are on fire! Palm Beach State's EMS Club team earned first place honors in the Chief Mike Haygood 2013 Broward Invitational, a paramedic competition held in Hollywood April 26 as part of the 17th annual First There First Care Conference sponsored by the Fire Chiefs' Association of Broward County and the Broward Regional EMS Council. Paramedic students Mark Lucas, Mike Redmond and Anthony Pesaturo made up the winning team, ably supported by team alternate and fellow Panthermedic, Charles Ross.
In this highly respected ALS/BLS (Advanced and Basic Life Support) contest, EMS teams raced against time, and each other, to save the lives of their "patients" (both live and human patient simulators) in mock-up trauma scenarios. The Palm Beach State team finished first in the BLS division, outperforming paramedic students from other schools. As BLS winners, the team also was permitted to compete against professional paramedics in the ALS competition, and as a result, came in second overall in total ALS/BLS points scored. "The students work very hard on their own time preparing for these competitions," said Paramedic adjunct instructor Ken Woodcum. "We are all extremely proud of them."
Gibson poem published in literary magazine
"Susanna and the Elders" is the title of Professor Stephen Gibson's latest published poem, which is featured in the winter/spring 2013 edition of the "Notre Dame Review," a contemporary art and literature magazine.
Gibson has published four collections of poetry and has had more than 150 poems published in literary and poetry journals. A three-time recipient of the College's Professor of the Year Award, he has taught American literature and English composition classes at the Belle Glade campus for nearly 30 years.
Calling all shutterbugs: Don't let your images be latent to the show!
"Atlantis Beauty" by Durga Garcia--first place winner in the 2010 photo/digital image competition.
Photographers all across the nation, of all skill levels, need to heed the call: The Gallery at Eissey Campus has issued a call for entries in its third juried photography/digital imagery contest.
The 3rd National Photography & Digital Imagery Competition 2013 is open to artists ages 18 and up. The theme of the show is open interpretation as represented by traditional and digital photography, as well as digitally-created images. Awards are $500 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place.
The judge for the competition is Ashley Ford, who is the Leonard and Sophie Davis Curatorial Fellow at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach. For a complete description of the application process and contest rules, and to download an entry form, visit the gallery's web page at www.palmbeachstate.edu/artgallerypbg.
The entry deadline is July 15 with accepted applicants notified via email by Aug. 15. Works accepted for the contest are to arrive at the gallery from Sept. 16 – 23. Winners will be notified Oct. 18.
The opening reception and award presentations will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the gallery, and the exhibition will run through Nov. 22. Proceeds from the show will fund fine arts scholarships at the College.
For more information call Karla Walter, gallery specialist, at (561) 207-5015, or email at walterk@palmbeachstate.edu.
'Artistic Endeavors' offers works by county art teachers
Art teachers' exhibit includes a wood-fired sake set by Brian Kovachik and photography by Kim Pilla and Bonnie Bruner.
Palm Beach County's art teachers are displaying some of their own work in a summer exhibition that opened May 14 at the Art Gallery at Eissey Campus. Titled "Artistic Endeavors," the show features pieces by 14 artists, all of whom are members of the Palm Beach County Art Teachers Association.
Thirty pieces of art, including paintings, photography, digital photography, pastels and ceramics, are on display and available for sale. Prices range from $100 to $1,000. The exhibit runs through Sept. 6.
Admission to the exhibit is free. The Gallery summer hours (through Aug. 3) are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Fondos mural graces Art Deco hotel lobby
Georgeta Fondos, an adjunct art instructor at the Boca Raton campus, was invited to submit a proposal for a lobby mural for Miami's Tides Hotel last year. Because the hotel is in the historic Art Deco District and its exterior was inspired by the 1930s Art Deco style, the City of Miami Historic Preservation Department requested that the mural depict a fusion of elements characteristic both to the South Beach Art Deco style and to the design of the hotel's lobby.
The approved design by Fondos consisted of a series of abstracted tropical motifs for which South Beach is known: sunny beaches and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, sea shells, the elegant palm fronds, and of course, its vibrantly colored architecture with geometric patterns. The mural on canvas, which was adhered to the lobby's walls in April, is an amalgam of undulating, colorful and suggestive shapes that connect successfully with the hotel's lobby décor.
Fondos is a professional artist who has created other public art projects, including two located in the Lauderhill City Hall. She has been active on the art scene of South Florida exhibiting experimental fiber works in various venues. To view other examples of her work, visit her websites: www.Georgeta-Fondos.com and www.muralsbygeorgeta.com
From soup kitchen recipients to banquet servers
Completers of the hospitality training course stand proudly with their instructors and mentor. The students applied to the program and were selected by Boca Helping Hands.
Eight people who once lined up at Boca Helping Hands, a soup kitchen in east Boca Raton, are now standing taller with confidence after completing a three-phase hospitality training course to better their futures. The first two phases, covering work ethics and banquet service, were taught by Palm Beach State instructors through customized business training offered by the College's Corporate and Continuing Education.
"The customized business training program is convenient to our community because of the flexibility to meet their schedules, either days, evenings or weekends," said Isabel Karimi, program director of CCE's Center for Business and Entrepreneurship. "We realize each business is different, and our goal is to offer what they need, when they need it, at an affordable price and close by."
For more information, view this video to see how Palm Beach State and Boca Helping Hands partnered to provide training to help eight people break the cycle of dependency.
AFC book sale nets $3,300 for scholarships
The Palm Beach State College chapter of the Association of Florida Colleges and the Library Learning Resource Center held their annual book sale April 15-16 during National Library Week. Donated bestsellers, textbooks, encyclopedia sets, withdrawn library books, computer manuals and cookbooks were on sale, with proceeds benefiting the chapter and the AFC Scholarship Fund for members and their immediate family members. The sale raised over $3,300. According to the American Library Association, National Library Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.
Heavy Equipment Mechanics program moves to Belle Glade campus
Electrical workers check wiring in the Belle Glade campus' Technical Education Center in preparation for the relocation of the Heavy Equipment Mechanics program.
Students in the Glades studying to become diesel and heavy equipment mechanics will now get their training on Palm Beach State College's Belle Glade campus.
The College has moved its Heavy Equipment Mechanics program from West Tech Educational Center, a Palm Beach County school district facility, to the Technical Education Center on campus. The move, made in time for the summer classes, brings together all of the campus' PSAV programs and saves the College money on rental fees it had been paying the school district.
"It's a real plus to have everyone in one place. With the PSAV programs on campus, (students) have easier access to the resources if they're taking some other classes. They can use some of the labs as well, '' said Dr. Barry Moore, dean of educational services. "Sometimes students may be a little apprehensive about going to an off-site facility. People tend to be attracted to a crowd. They know where the campus is. The (TEC) building is the forefront of the campus."
The College retrofitted space in the TEC that had been used for the Construction Institute, whose enrollment dried up after the housing and construction bust.
Before the Technical Education Center opened in 2010, several other PSAV programs also were housed at West Tech.
A special class, a special dog
Rescuing people from an elevated height using high angle rope techniques is one of the toughest challenges firefighters face. On April 15, Palm Beach State's five-story Fire Training Tower was the setting for a FEMA-certified Florida Urban Search & Rescue advanced level ropes class, attended by professional firefighters from Port St. Lucie to Miami.
FLUSAR training prepares special task force teams for deployment in disasters and other extreme situations. Canines are part of these teams, and what made this class special was the chance to work with golden retriever Baylee, a FEMA-certified rescue dog. Baylee is shown here riding down in the Stokes basket after being brought up to search for "victims." She is accompanied by her handler, Captain Adam MacKillop of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue, who also is an adjunct instructor at the College. The lead instructor for the class, Captain Mark Siciliano of Delray Beach Fire Rescue, watches them descend.
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Lyn Becker
Job Title: Wellness Center Coordinator Campus: Lake Worth Hometown: Born in Quezon City, Philippines, but grew up on Guam With College since: 2008 |
What is your favorite part of your job at the College? I enjoy the interaction with students, staff and faculty. I'd like to think of myself as an educator, creating awareness in many aspects of health and fitness, and helping them to make healthy lifetime choices. We are where we are today because of the choices we make.
What event changed your life? Going to college in Boulder, Col., where I had to get used to a totally different climate, environment and lifestyle. It was a "culture shock." I grew up on a small island that is only 30 miles long and 209 square miles big. It took just 2 hours to go around the whole island. Guam fits in Colorado almost 500 times and is about 7,000 miles away. Unlike most of my college friends, I couldn't just drive home to visit my family for the weekend. It was a 14-hour flight across the Pacific!
What are you most proud of in your life? In recent times, the renaissance of the Lake Worth Campus Wellness Center culminating in the opening of the new building.
What was the happiest moment of your life? Becoming a mother. Bringing a new life to this world saw many rewards as well as challenges. The hardest part? Children don't come with a manual.
What was the saddest moment of your life? When my father passed away of cancer in 2007.
How would you like to be remembered? As someone who made a difference in a positive and supportive way.
What skill should every person have? The ability to communicate effectively.
What is your biggest regret? Not taking band in junior high school. I wish I could sight read music like my children do.
What advice would you give the younger you? To be more assertive and go for the gusto!
How should a person best face his/her fears? Head on.
Is there something that you wish you could change? My bedtime. It needs to be earlier.
How would you change it, and why? Not bring work home, so I can have more "down" time.
Do you have a talent no one knows about? I can create a piercing whistle with my fingers.
Do you have any words of wisdom you would like to pass along? Stop and smell the coffee.
What is the one thing you would like to do before you die? Learn to play the piano or guitar.
What is one skill you would most like to master? Photography. Although I've been told I have a natural eye for it, I'd like to one day take a college class or learn from a professional and figure out how to really use my camera to its fullest.
Congrats, graduate!
Lynnmarie Gomes Highsmith, student development advisor II on the Lake Worth campus, was awarded her Master of Science degree in Human Services from Capella University on March 31.
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Fatiha Benlemlih
Learning Specialist Boca Raton |
Shira Bland
Student Activities Coordinator Lake Worth |
Geoffrey Cooper
PSAV Instructor Lake Worth |
Alfredo Cortes
Network Analyst I Lake Worth |
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Kent Drake
Security Officer Lake Worth |
Lisa Fikki
Business & Ed Dev Specialist Palm Beach Gardens |
Daniel Ibanez-Yachelson
Media Assistant Lake Worth |
Sameen Islam
Biotechnology Lab Specialist Palm Beach Gardens |
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Marisha Kelly
LLRC Asst Dir/Assoc Professor Belle Glade |
Victor Lopez
Media Assistant Lake Worth |
Antwanette Martin
Postsecondary Advisor Lake Worth |
Carol Morabito
Office Assistant I Boca Raton |
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Jose Murillo
Administrative Assistant II Lake Worth |
Mary Niemi
Financial Aid Advisor Palm Beach Gardens |
Precious Pace
Office Assistant II Belle Glade |
Jillian Powers
Instructional Designer Lake Worth |
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Miecha Thomas
Office Assistant III Boca Raton |
Jane Walter
Library Assistant I Palm Beach Gardens |
Lance Wilson
Sm Business Dev Analyst Boca Raton |
Comings and Goings
Appointments
Emmanuel Alvarado, professor I, Palm Beach Gardens
Timothy Benham, associate professor, Lake Worth
Scott Berthiuame, associate professor, Boca Raton
Arthur Brockway, associate professor, Palm Beach Gardens
Jonathan M. Davis, professor I, Boca Raton
Manuel Duarte, associate professor, Boca Raton
Gordon Haley, professor 1, Lake Worth
Vanessa Henriquez, student services representative I, Lake Worth
Elka Ivanova, professor III, Lake Worth
Michael Marzelli, associate professor, Lake Worth
William Miner, professor I, Boca Raton
Mia Ocean, associate professor, Lake Worth
William Paczkowski, professor I, Palm Beach Gardens
Nancy Pennea, associate professor, Belle Glade
Christopher Pumphrey, associate professor, Boca Raton
Christopher Schmersahl, associate professor, Belle Glade
Jennifer Skolnik, associate professor, Palm Beach Gardens
Julliette Tracey, associate professor, Lake Worth
Monica Urresta, associate professor, Lake Worth
Philip Ventura, professor II, Boca Raton
Thomas Wilson, professor I, Lake Worth
Transfers/Promotions
Debra Brown, accounting associate III, Lake Worth
Sandra Lembo, executive administrative assistant, Palm Beach Gardens
John Thuren, student development advisor II, Palm Beach Gardens
Departures
Mark Beaupre, groundskeeper I, Palm Beach Gardens
Shirley Diah, financial aid manager, Boca Raton
George Estes, coach specialist, District
Dwayne Hunt, assistant dean of student services, Lake Worth
Stacey Landsdorf, PSAV instructor, Lake Worth
Lorena Orejuela, Montessori teacher, Lake Worth
John Treanor, assistant professor, Lake Worth
Courtney Trzcinski, career center manager, Boca Raton
Mark Udry, college relations and marketing specialist, District
In Memoriam
Dr. Kathryn W. Davis, a noted philanthropist whose generosity established Palm Beach State College's Global Education Center that bears her name, died April 23. She was 106.
"Dr. Davis was an amazing woman whose kind spirit has helped thousands of students at Palm Beach State College," President Dennis Gallon said. "We are so fortunate to have known her and for the indelible legacy that she has left at this institution. She was the epitome of humility, and her contributions reminded us of the importance of helping others reach their highest potential despite our differences and backgrounds. It was an honor to have the opportunity to meet this great humanitarian."
Dr. Davis initially pledged $1 million to establish the Dr. Kathryn W. Davis Global Education Center, a comprehensive one-stop education and resource information center that opened in 2007 on the Lake Worth campus. She exceeded her initial pledge, however, and to date has given the College $1.75 million.
Since its establishment, the center has helped approximately 1,942 immigrants living in Palm Beach County and Palm Beach State students integrate and assimilate to the U.S. culture. Of those served and who disclosed their nationality, there are currently 110 different countries reported. To date, 272 students with severe hardships have received scholarships totaling $547,795.
"She really has shown that a person of means can think about people who are less fortunate and make a difference in their lives. She's going to be missed,'' said Dr. Jeannett Manzanero, director of the center. "Our students are trying to live up to her motto of learn, earn and return. "
Davis, who lived in Florida and New York, spent much of her life working to improve American understanding of world culture and politics. She was a staunch supporter of arts, education, genetic science, environmental conservation and global peace initiatives, and she contributed millions to various causes.
Tim Monaghan, 55, Palm Beach State fire science adjunct instructor from 1999 to 2006, died May 6 in Morehead, Ky. Monaghan was a firefighter and emergency medical technician for the West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Department. He also founded the Irish Fireman's Derby, a company specializing in the reproduction and refurbishing of Early American vintage fire helmets.
Friends and colleagues may send condolence messages to his family here.
Condolences
Deep sympathy is extended to Dr. Maria Vallejo, Lake Worth campus provost, upon the passing of her mother. Lucila E. Vallejo of Wellington died April 18 at the age of 101. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Generation in College Scholarship Fund in care of the Palm Beach State College Foundation.
Please remember your colleague in your thoughts and prayers.
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Perspectives
is produced by the Office of College Relations and Marketing (CRM). Submit your news!
Editor: Dr. Grace Truman
Designer: Tish Sailer
Contributing Writers: Joyce Edelstein, Tabatha McDonald, Diana Pierre Louis
