Celebrating Palm Beach State's graduates

More than 700 degree and certificate program graduates participated in the Palm Beach State College Commencement ceremony at the Palm Beach County Convention Center May 8. For the first time in seven years, the College held just one ceremony for all graduates.  In total, the College awarded more than 2,100 degrees and certificates for the spring 2012 term. Click here to watch the ceremony or view photo images on flickr.

Certified platinum - Belle Glade TEC is Florida College System's first

Extensive natural lighting is one of the many energy-saving design features of the Technical Education Center on the Belle Glade campus.

Palm Beach State College's Technical Education Center on the Belle Glade campus has been awarded LEED® Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  The building, which opened in 2010, is the first in the Florida College System to achieve this highest designation for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

The facility achieved the LEED rating due to its comprehensive sustainability features that reduce its energy and water consumption, thus saving money for the College and taxpayers.  These features also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment for students, faculty and staff and the community.

"Platinum LEED certification shows that the College is truly committed to creating facilities that work well for our students and for the environment," said James Storms, assistant manager of facilities planning and construction, who led the TEC building project and LEED certification process. "It is an achievement that we all can be proud of."

Green features of the TEC building include solar photovoltaic panels secured through a grant from Palm Beach County; lighting sensors and controls in each room, natural lighting features throughout the building and a cistern system that uses collected rainwater for toilet flushing.  The Green Building Council awarded points for site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental air quality, and innovation in design, awarding a total of 52 points to achieve the platinum level.

Storms noted that TEC represents the College's first attempt at a LEED designed building.  The College Facilities team had committed early on to achieving LEED certification but originally thought they could reach just the Silver level.  As plans progressed, they decided to build to the Gold level specification.  Then, they decided to go a step further. "When we started adding up the points for all of the things that we do in terms of energy savings, we realized that we could achieve the platinum level, which can only be verified after a year of monitoring the building in use," he explained.

The Technical Education Center houses programs in corrections, criminal justice, sustainable building construction, welding, sugar technology and cosmetology.  The $9.5 million facility was designed by the Astorino architectural firm and built by Hedrick Brothers Construction Company.

According to Storms, only 10 other buildings in Florida have achieved platinum status since the inception of LEED in 1998.  Three of those buildings are university facilities, including the Engineering and Computer Science Building at Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton campus.  Palm Beach State is the first of the community and state colleges in Florida to have a platinum certified building.

New food service vendor starts in June

A new vendor promising to provide expanded and healthier food alternatives at the Palm Beach State College cafeterias is coming on board in June.

The College has signed a contract with Atlanta-based Gourmet Services, Inc. to provide food services at the Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton campuses. Pepe James Café, which already has a contract for the food services in Belle Glade, will continue serving that campus.

Gourmet Services, which has been in business for 37 years, will replace College Café.  It was selected after a competitive bidding process that included input from College students and employees. It will begin offering its services June 18. Dunkin' Donuts will continue to be offered as an alternative at the Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens campuses.

Gourmet Services' clientele includes such schools as Hampton University, Bethune-Cookman University, Southwest Tennessee Community College and many others. It also is the food service provider for the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter.

"The entire team of Gourmet Services professionals is excited and enthusiastic about assuming the food service management program for the Palm Beach State College campuses," said Nathaniel R. Goldston, III, chairman of Gourmet Services, Inc. "Having been in the hospitality and food service management business for over 37 years, we are well aware that operating in a diverse environment presents numerous challenges, as well as limitless growth opportunities. And, we are looking forward to partnering with the College in support of the school's objectives to provide quality dining and food services options to its students, faculty and other members of the College community."

Details are still being worked out, but Carolyn Odom, marketing consultant for Gourmet Services, said that in addition to traditional food offerings, employees, students and visitors can expect to see such programs as Total Life Cuisine (TLC) that offers more grains, fruits, nuts and red meat substitutes like turkey, tofu and legumes; gourmet vegan, and vegetarian menus with no more than 450 calories. As part of the TLC program, the company plans to bring Oasis Hydration, flavored water stations around the campuses offering fruits and vegetables such as lemon, limes, melons and cucumbers. The idea is to encourage people to drink more water.

The company also plans new branded concepts and ethnic food alternatives catering to the College's diverse populations. It eventually plans to make menus and calorie information accessible on iPads and smart phones and create internship opportunities for students interested in the hospitality and food service industry. Gourmet Services' contract continues through December 2013 with two two-year renewable options.

Golf balls rain from the sky as Foundation raises $105,000+ at annual Golf Classic

The McDonalds North County Group team took first place with a score of 56.  The winning foursome consisted of, from left, Alex Hustos, Matthew Dodson, Richard Terga and Chris Cole.

A helicopter hovered over the 18th green at BallenIsles Country Club and unleashed dozens of numbered golf balls as one of the fundraising contests at the Palm Beach State College Foundation annual Golf Classic May 4. The "copter drop" contest winner, Josh Long, won an HP Pavilion laptop computer as a result of having the ball closest to the pin.

With the theme, "get in the game and make a difference," it was a fitting end to a successful tournament, as the Palm Beach State College Foundation successfully raised more than $105,000 for student scholarships and programs. A field of 27 foursomes got their putts in gear at the East Course, where legendary greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer have competed.

"The support for this year's golf tournament was phenomenal. Our community partners demonstrated their commitment to our students by funding scholarships and programs," said Suellen Mann, Foundation executive director. "BallenIsles was a great host, and the players enjoyed a beautifully prepared course, perfect weather and a real spirit of fun and giving."

Golfers had a chance to win a Sting Ray 19-foot boat sponsored by Gunster Law Group and a set of golf clubs from two different hole-in-one challenges sponsored by Advanced Control Corporation. Other course challenges included a Longest Drive contest, Straightest Drive contest, Closest to the Pin contest and Long Drive Challenge with golf pro Rob Oristaglio. Foursomes competed against local youth golfer Andre Wade in a "Beat the Junior Golfer" tee-off challenge. Golfers also got a chance to get their putt in gear at the one-hour clinic with golf pro Richard Terga.

The Golf Classic ended with a cocktail reception, award ceremony and raffle drawing. The grand prize, a Dell desktop computer system and Android tablet, was won by Paul Franctorich. Ricky Wade won second prize, a Dell Vostro notebook computer, and Mike Bubis won a $500 CityPlace night's out entertainment package. The golfers were visibly moved when former student trustee Faith Proper spoke on behalf of the scholarship recipients; Ricky Wade responded by giving the computer he had won to Proper to continue her studies at the university level. "When I heard Faith share her academic success in spite of the obstacles she faced along the way, I knew then it was the right thing to do. It is students who work hard that inspire me to give back," he said.

Major sponsors of the Golf Classic included Balfour Beatty Construction, Bobby Resciniti Healing Hearts Foundation, Honda Classic Golf Exchange Radio, Lotspeich Co. of Florida, McDonalds North County, PepsiCo and Suffolk Construction.

"Being involved in young people's lives and helping them achieve a college degree-there is no better place we can spend our dollars. We are very proud and honored to be involved in this tournament," said Clint Glass, Balfour Beatty senior vice president.

Golfer Ricky Wade generously gifted the laptop computer he won at the Golf Classic to new graduate Faith Proper, who has been accepted to Emory University.

Town Hall topic: Preventing student loan interest hikes

U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch held a town hall meeting May 3 at Palm Beach State College, urging students to get involved in efforts to stop a planned doubling of interest rates on federal student loans from the present 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent July 1.  The Congressman asked students how their career decisions are shaped by the cost of education and how this rate hike would affect them.  Students described their current financial struggles and their worry that increasing debt loads would make their dreams unattainable. In subsequent remarks from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Deutch shared the students' concerns and urged his colleagues to support legislation to prevent the interest hikes.  View a video of his remarks.

Honors College graduate receives big scholarship boost

Maria Chapado, who graduated from Palm Beach State College with an honors diploma this month, has been awarded a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship of up to $30,000 per year to complete her bachelor's degree.

She is only the fourth Palm Beach State student to ever earn the prestigious scholarship and one of only 60 people selected from around the country this year. The scholarship can be used for tuition, living expenses, books and required fees for two to three years.

"I'm just so happy that I was selected. I was shocked obviously when I found out about it,'' said Chapado, who plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in international relations. She has not yet decided which university she will attend.

The younger of two children, including a sister who is in college, Chapado said the scholarship is a big boost for her entire family. "It changes not just my opportunities. It changes my entire family's situation. They don't have to worry about me and my education. It's life changing for all of us. My parents can focus on (my sister)."

Chapado, a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, completed her A.A. degree with a 3.8 grade point average. She said she has strived for academic excellence all of her life. While a student at John I. Leonard High School, where she graduated in 2010, she took many Advanced Placement classes, and she began taking dual enrollment classes at Palm Beach State during her senior year. Those courses allowed her to fulfill many credits she would need for her associate degree. At Palm Beach State, she also was a member of Students Working for Equal Rights and ASPIRA student club, and she served as co-editor of "Sabidurí," the Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College online peer-review journal.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 2000 by the estate of Jack Kent Cooke. It aims to help young people with exceptional promise reach their full potential through education. The Foundation's programs include scholarships to undergraduate, graduate and high school students, and grants to organizations that serve high-achieving students with financial need.

Forging Finnish ties

Officials from Palm Beach State College and Hyria Education, located in Hyvinkaa, Finland, signed a memorandum of understanding April 24, pledging continued cooperation in working toward a multifaceted educational partnership.  The two institutions are exploring specific programs to benefit students and faculty from both institutions, including transfer options, study abroad components, internships, respective business community partnerships and a faculty exchange program.  Signing the memorandum are Dr. Ari Orelma, vice president of Hyria Education, left, and Dr. Dennis Gallon, Palm Beach State president.

School District bestows the gold

Palm Beach State College was named the Gold Award Business Partner winner in the public sector category at the School District of Palm Beach County's Volunteer & Business Partners Awards Breakfast May 2 at the Kravis Center. The award recognizes the exemplary support that Palm Beach State's Lake Worth campus provides to its adopted school, Diamond View Elementary.  Accepting the honor are, from left, Duncan Theatre manager Mark Alexander, Global Education Center director Dr. Jeannett  Manzanero, Diamond View principal Carolyn Seal, Lake Worth provost Dr. Maria Vallejo, and volunteer program specialist Chona Castillo.

What is the favorite part of your job at the College? 
Although it might seem like all fun and games, the College Facebook and Twitter pages have become a great online networking place for students. It's also a place where they know they can come and get their questions answered. I love being able to help students online.

What event changed your life?  My life changed when I was hired in CRM because I was given a chance as a young professional to prove that I could do the job well. I have learned so much in the past 3.5 years and the experience I have gained is invaluable. I have also established a career that I enjoy so much.

Who had the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?  My husband, Endy. He has taught me to work hard at everything I do, to be open-minded, patient and caring. He has also taught me to not worry as much as I used to and to appreciate the little things in life. He always says, "Life is beautiful" and he really is right!

What are you most proud of in your life?  It's a recent event, actually. I applied to a contest to rebrand Haiti to promote tourism. My slogan, "Experience it" or "Experience Haiti" was chosen by the Minister of Tourism office! On June 1, I will be attending a special ceremony in Haiti to officially launch the logo and slogan with the logo winner, the Republic's ambassadors, the minister of tourism and President Michel Martelly.

How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as a thoughtful person who appreciates different cultures and countries for what they are.

What skill should every person have? Communication is key in every relationship. You don't have to agree to have effective communication. As long as you can see other people's point of view with respect, everything will be ok.

Is there something that you wish you could change? How would you change it, and why? I wish I could change the image of Haiti as it is perceived in the news. Yes, there is a lot of sadness and help needed for the country; however, there are also a lot of great things there. The media focuses on the capital only, but if you could go and experience the culture, music, food and people, your life will change for the better.

Do you have a talent no one knows about? I love photography. I learned videography in graduate school, but learning photography has become one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy both of them very much!

Do you have any words of wisdom you would like to pass along? My parents always told me, "No one can ever take your education away from you." I kept telling myself this throughout college. Also, take everything for what it's worth. If you have to work for free to gain experience, do it. Hard work always pays off.

What is one skill you would most like to master? Speak Haitian Creole fluently.

Congratulations, graduate!

Laura Gainer, academic coordinator for the bachelor's degree programs, received a Master of Arts degree from Ashford University on April 2.

Condolences

Former employee Betty Childers, 91, passed away April 27.  Childers began working at Palm Beach Junior College in 1966 and served as a secretary to three vice presidents, retiring in 1993.

Grace L. Bistowski of Royal Palm Beach also died April 27.  She was the mother-in-law of Danny Fontenot, assistant professor of hospitality, Lake Worth campus.

Please remember your colleagues in your thoughts and prayers.

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