Spring 2021 Commencement Book
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SPRING 2021 P RESIDENT Ava L. Parker, J.D. D ISTRICT B OARD OF T RUSTEES Palm Beach State College Wendy S. Link, Esq., Chairperson Carolyn L. Williams, Vice Chairperson Alma Mater Patrice Bishop Melissa Friedman-Levine, MD Omar Soto Gabrielle Louis, Student T H E V I S I O N Palm Beach State College is nationally recognized as an innovative academic leader advancing student success through its unparalleled commitment to excellence, engagement, and dynamic partnerships. T H E M I S S I O N Palm Beach State College provides accessible, student-centered teaching and learning experiences in academic, technical and lifelong learning to transform lives and strengthen our community. Palm Beach State College, an equal access/equal opportunity institution, complies with all applicable state and federal laws granting rights to applicants for employment or admission to the College, employees, and students and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, and any other factor protected under the law, state or federal, in employment, admissions, or educational programs and activities. SPRING 2021 C O M M E N C E M E N T P R O G R A M Bachelor of Applied Science Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Associate in Science Degree Associate in Applied Science Degree College Credit Certificate Advanced Technical Certificate Career Certificate Program Certificate Educator Preparation Institute Certificate Associate in Arts Degree 1 PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS District Board of Trusteees Chair Address AVA L. PARKER, J.D. WENDY S. LINK, Esq. g My Fellow Panthers, To the incredible Spring 2021 Graduating Class: It is with panther pride and pleasure that I, as president of this remarkable institution, confer your degrees and certificates from Palm Beach State College. Over the past year we have all adapted to new normals and changing guidelines. Today, we will celebrate your amazing achievements. A Grad Walk is quite different than a commencement ceremony, however, it means so much to me, and all of us at Palm Beach State College, that we can gather to rejoice, in person, with our friends and family. You have realized a level of success amidst unanticipated hurdles, and now you are ready to face the challenges of our world. This spring we awarded 2,633 graduates with a degree or certificate, 956 of which are first-generation college students. Our graduating students range in age from 16 to 74, and 60 veterans and active-duty military were awarded a total of 51 degrees and certificates. Additionally, 42 students will be receiving their associate degrees along with their high school diplomas. Plus, among our graduates, 560 received at least their second award from Palm Beach State College, and two students are receiving their seventh award. Your achievement represents a commitment to excellence that has been challenged by unforeseen circumstances. Palm Beach State has put forth a standard of distinction, and you have persevered. Now you are taking your first steps in your career or continuing your education to meet your goals. Graduates, your Palm Beach State College experience is one that will be hard to forget. We now look to you to help us to lead and power this community. Your accomplishment drives us to do better, be better, and help create a better world. Go forth. Go further. And most importantly, Go Panthers! Ava L. Parker, J.D. President Palm Beach State College 2 PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE District Board of Trusteees Chair Address WENDY S. LINK, Esq. g Dear Graduates, On behalf of the District Board of Trustees of Palm Beach State College, I commend you on this wonderful achievement. As the governing body of this great institution, the DBOT takes pride and outstanding pleasure in celebrating this moment with you and your family and friends. Today we celebrate your success a little differently, not with a typical commencement exercise, but with a more intimate and safe gathering where everyone in the Panther Community can come together and rejoice after more than a year of isolation, separation and uncertainty. Continue to challenge yourself, like you did over the past several years, and take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. Let today serve as a catalyst to spark your ongoing contributions to our society. We know what a degree or certificate from Palm Beach State College can do to transform your life. In fact, it is what this College does best. As you walk across our stage, understand that you have the entirety of Palm Beach State College backing you. Always moving forward, always striving to make a greater impact on our community, PBSC will always support you on your path toward success. We are honored that you chose Palm Beach State for your higher education experience and through your hard work, determination and dedication, you are now a “Panther Proud” graduate. Congratulations to you and keep learning. Go Panthers! Wendy S. Link, Esq. Chair District Board of Trustees Palm Beach State College Wendy S. Link 3 PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S CABINET DEANS AND COLLEGE ASSOCIATE DEANS Ava L. Parker, J.D. REGISTRAR Susan Bierster, M.H.S.A. President Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Velmarie L. Albertini, Ph.D. ERP Functional Manager, Peter R. Barbatis, Ed.D. Dean, Curriculum Lake Worth Campus Vice President, Student Services Holly Bennett, Ph.D. Susan M. Caldwell, M.A. and Enrollment Management Interim Associate Vice President Interim Provost, Lake Worth Campus Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Academic Affairs Lake Worth Campus Rachael E. Bonlarron, M.B.A. Peter Biegel, Ph.D. Deborah Copeland Executive Director, Interim College Registrar Associate Dean in Nursing, Community Engagement Lake Worth Campus Special Assistant to the President Barbara M. Cipriano, M.S. Interim Dean, Business, Trade Germany Dixon Tunjarnika L. and Industry, Lake Worth Campus Associate Dean Coleman-Ferrell, Ed.D. Boca Raton Campus Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs Robert Gingras, Ph. D. Interim Dean, Academic Affairs, Brent Ferns James Duffie, M.Acc. Palm Beach Gardens Campus Interim Associate Dean Lake Worth Campus Vice President, Finance and Stephen Joyner, Ph.D. Administration Associate Vice President, Enrollment Thomas Gauthier, Ed.D. and Retention Kevin A. Fernander, J.D. Associate Dean, Trade & Industry, Lake Worth Campus General Counsel Don Gladney Ed.D. Dean, Bachelor’s Degree Programs Scott MacLachlan Dana Hamadeh, M.Ed. Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Interim Dean, Student Services Kimberly Lancaster, M.B.A. Boca Raton Campus Interim Provost, Dean, Academic Affairs, Palm Beach Gardens Campus Loxahatchee Groves Campus Linda Lebile, Ph.D. Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Diego Meeroff, M.B.A. Kathleen S. Palm Beach Gardens Campus Director, College Relations & Marketing Karran-McCoy, Ed.D. Dean, Student Development Jyrece McClendon, M.S. Ginger L. Pedersen, Ed.D. Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Vice President, Information Services LaTanya L. McNeal, Ed.D. Boca Raton Campus Executive Dean, Belle Glade Campus Michael Pustizzi, M.B.A., M.A. Becky Mercer, Ph.D. Executive Director, Human Resources Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Sheila E. Scott-Lubin, M.Ed. Palm Beach Gardens Campus Interim Dean of Academic Affairs, David A. Rutherford, M.A. Lake Worth Campus Belinda Mouradian Vice President, Institutional Advancement Associate Dean, Health Sciences, Executive Director of the PBSC Edward W. Willey, M.S. Lake Worth Campus Foundation Dean, Health Sciences, Lake Worth Campus Karen Pain Roy M. Vargas, Ph.D. Associate Dean, Belle Glade Campus Dean, Academic Affairs, Van P. Williams, M.S. Interim Provost, Boca Raton Campus Dean, Student Services, Carlos F. Ramos, M.S. Lake Worth Campus Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Roger Yohe, Ph.D. Lake Worth Campus Vice President , Academic Innovation and Strategy Richard E. White, M.F.A, M.Ed. Interim Associate Dean, Arts & Humanities Lake Worth Campus 4 PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE ACADEMIC MACE The Academic Mace is a descendant from weapons in ancient and medieval times that were carried by bodyguards. Over time, the mace became a symbol of peaceful leadership, and academic maces represent the authority that has been invested in the president by the college’s Board. The mace is carried in processions by a high official or a representative of the Governing Board. At Palm Beach State College, the mace is carried at every commencement by the faculty member with the longest tenure at the College. The Palm Beach State College mace is a tinted glass flame. The College seal is embedded in this glass flame, symbolic of scholars igniting the quest for knowledge. At the base of the flame are golden pillars proclaiming various areas of study pursued at the College. 5 PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE ACADEMIC ATTIRE The academic attire worn at commencement ceremonies today is based on a history of tradition which began in medieval Europe. At a time when the general type of clothing worn was the robe or gown, individual rank or wealth was indicated by colors and materials. As trades, professions, guilds and universities developed, distinctive variations came into being to identify the various members’ individual affiliations. Universities gradually modified the gowns, capes, hoods and caps into distinctive forms to identify an individual’s level of academic achievement. In the 1890s, American colleges and universities agreed upon a somewhat uniform application of the academic regalia. Typically, scholars with the bachelor’s degree wear the unadorned black robe. Those with the master’s degree also wear a hood lined with the colors of their college and trimmed with the specific color designated for their academic discipline area. The doctoral degree robe additionally has three velvet bars on each sleeve, and the hood is more ornate.