A Publication of Palm Beach Atlantic University

Volume XXV No. 3 Current Fall 2014 Much to Celebrate Marshall & Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus opens Pages 3 & 7

Dr. Don Warren ‘Friendraiser-in-chief’ fondly recalled Page 18 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FALL 2014 Volume XXV No. 3 Page 4 President: Shaun Castillo ’01 Art Williams of Vice President: Joshua Sheats ’07 A publication of A.L. Williams fame Rosemary Aguilar ’09/ ’11 M.S. Palm Beach Atlantic University to share "how to Natalie Alvarez ’11 Beth Charbonneau ’10 build a team" in Victoria Chouris ’97/ ’01 MBA A letter from the President______3 Nov. 6 American Matthew Clark ’04 Free Enterprise Jeana Vassalotti Colby ’99 event. John Cupini ’08 Key expansions of main campus______6 Lee Curtis ’04 Page 8 Brian Dobrodziej ’06 Elizabeth Duncan Eubanks ’04 M.Ed. New baseball Evelyn Flores ’06/ ’09 M.S. Sports: $1.5 million for baseball field______8 field exceeds "our Paul Giles ’94 wildest dreams," Richard Heers ’90 says coach. Brendan Kesler ’07 Paul Eastman Scholarship______10 James King ’03 Richard Lassiter ’88 Stephen Magallanes ’07 Leah Chambliss McCrady ’06 Dr. Gene Fant, new provost______13 Matthew McKee ’95 Page 10 Yalonda Moring Meckstroth ’83 After years of Claudia Wolf Moore ’05 Pharm.D. Welcome Week at new athletic campus_____ 14 substance abuse, Geraldine Wetherington Padgett ’72 tough love from Carlin Stob Rykse ’08 PBA made a Ana Salguero ’12 Guide dog leads a leader______16 difference. Chad Simpson ’96 Ben Starling III ’92 Joseph Thomas ’03 Michael Thorstad ’07 MBA Recalling Dr. Donald E. Warren______18 Page 20 PARENTS COUNCIL Former music Brad and Debbie Mason, co-chairs major's church Alumnus' Community of Hope______20 Wayne and Deretta Cotton, founding plant thrives in members Loxahatchee. Rich and Catherine Berlanti William and Cynthia Campbell Class Notes______22 Mike and Colleen DeGraaf Eric and Jennifer Duncan David and Kathy Fox Day of Giving, a first for PBA______27 Dave and Priscilla Guinta Back cover Mike and Christy Lubben Follow link to David and Darlene Miller a slide show of Greg and Lisa Mills images from PBA • William M. B. Fleming, Jr. mission trips. President On the Cover Vicki Pugh Vice President for Development Sailfish celebration Becky Peeling, APR, ’05 M.S. Connor Adamson takes a flying leap to Associate Vice President for University Relations and Marketing congratulate Steven Fiema after Fiema’s goal against Southeastern University in the opening Delesa Hinkle Morris ’85/ ’14 M.S. Assistant Vice President for contest at the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Alumni Relations and Annual Fund Athletic Campus. See pages 3 and 7. Maria O’Carroll ’07 Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Online Connections Mary Jacobs Director of Parent Relations & Special Projects PBA Alumni PBAtlantic PBAvideo

2 CURRENT FALL 2014 From left are Danielle Robinson and Kaila Seiders, PBA cheerleaders; Robert Simpson, trustee; John Greene, trustee; Scott Hawkins, trustee chairman; President Fleming; Jeri Muoio, West Palm Beach mayor; Dennis Grady, Chamber of Commerce president; Carolyn Stone, athletic director; and Liz Gonzalez, Student Athlete Advisory Committee president. From the President for endowed student scholarships To complete the campaign, we and program development. need your help, and I proudly ask Dear Friends, Visionary leaders like John and for it. If you have not yet made On Sept. 4, donors, dignitaries, Sheila Rinker, the J. M. Rubin a gift or pledge to the campaign, PBA staff and faculty, student Foundation, Karl and Faith Watson, please contact our vice president athletes and neighbors joined Robert and Denice Simpson, for development, Vicki Pugh at together to celebrate the opening Richard and Helen DeVos, (561) 803-2012 or vicki_pugh@pba. of the Marshall and Vera Lea Marshall and Irene Jones, Merrill edu. Your gift is gratefully accepted Rinker Athletic Campus. It was and Lorraine Eastman, Karl and through our website at pba.edu/ indeed a glorious day and a historic Michelle Watson, Lester Woerner, giving. celebration. Scott and Lisa Hawkins and many The Time is Now for Palm Beach The skies cleared in time for other donors too numerous to list Atlantic University to have a home a ribbon cutting, picnic and a have supported this important field. The Time is Now to build spectacular Sailfish men’s soccer 3-1 initiative. To date, we have raised athletics at PBA. The Time is Now victory. The first win for the Sailfish more than $15.2 million toward for all of us to reflect on what we on their new varsity field was in our $18 million goal. might do and how we might give so front of 1,500 faithful fans. We are that the Time is Now campaign can looking forward to many more reach its goal of $18 million. firsts as women’s soccer, men’s and Thank you for your support, women’s tennis, softball, baseball your prayers and your belief in and men’s and women’s lacrosse PBA. teams begin their seasons at the Rinker Athletic Campus, as well as students who will use the facility for recreational and community activities. At the event, I announced our campaign: The Time is Now, William M. B. Fleming, Jr. which is providing funding for this President transformational project, as well as

CURRENT FALL 2014 3 American Free Enterprise Day (AFE) is a Palm Beach Atlantic University tradition, dating back to 1984. It is highlighted by a medal ceremony that honors individuals whose hard work and achievement exemplify the best of the American free enterprise system. A medalist of the year is selected and companion medals are awarded to other business leaders as well. This year’s ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 6 in the Greene ART Complex for Sports and Recreation. Williams Master Teambuilder

ow does a high school football coach go on moved to Palm Beach. Through his friendship with to develop the largest-selling life insurance Watson and the late Dr. Donald E. Warren, he became company in the world? The Palm Beach acquainted with PBA. HAtlantic family and guests will hear a bit of that “I like the direction y’all are headed,” said Williams, remarkable story and more when Arthur L. “Art” who has retained the accent of his native Georgia. Williams Jr. receives PBA’s American Free Enterprise He referred to PBA’s growth and the development of Medal on Nov. 6. the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus. “The way I built my company was just like the way “I think it’s important for a school like Palm Beach I built a football team,” said Williams. And so after Atlantic to have a big emphasis on athletics and have receiving the prestigious medal here, he’ll talk to the good athletic teams,” he said. “Athletics teach you audience about “how to build a team; how to get the principles and fundamentals that you almost can’t get most out of people; how to treat people.” anywhere else.” Williams began selling term life insurance part- Williams at one time owned a franchise in the time and quickly found that his commissions Canadian Football League, and he also owned the surpassed his coach’s salary. Then in 1977, with no National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning. But business education and no corporate management he’s become disenchanted with professional sports. “I experience, he founded A.L. Williams & Associates don’t like the image professional athletes present to the in Atlanta. By 1990, the company had a sales force of young people today,” he said. He sees a similar problem 225,000 agents in 50 states and Canada. with some college sports, where “in most schools, it’s all “To me, Art represents what free enterprise is all about winning, and winning at any price. about,” said Karl H. Watson, PBA trustee and recipient “You can win and play at a high level and still of the American Free Enterprise Medal in 2007. have athletes with good values and good reputations Williams came “from a very humble background,” around campus,” he said. But to do so, “you’ve got said Watson, and he built a top-flight company. to have the right kind of leadership at the university. In November 1989 Williams sold his company That’s one thing I love about Palm Beach Atlantic. to Primerica Corporation, and shortly thereafter he Values still matter.”

4 CURRENT FALL 2014 Arthur L. “Art” Williams Jr. in his North Carolina home. He also has a home in Palm Beach.

“I believe in Christian education,” said Williams. addressing crowds as large as the 40,000 who heard “You really can’t separate your business life and your him in the New Orleans Superdome. personal life and your spiritual life. If you have a lousy Williams’ AFE medal presentation and remarks personal life and a lousy spiritual life, long-range, I will take place in the Greene Complex for Sports and think you’ll really lose in business.” Recreation. The program begins at 10:45, and is open Though he calls himself semi-retired, Williams once to the public. again has built a team for a thriving business. He and In addition to Williams’ award, American Free his wife have 350 employees in their award-winning Enterprise companion medals will be presented to Old Edwards Inn and Spa in North Carolina’s Blue Fabiola Brumley of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Ridge Mountains. Greg Quattlebaum of Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation He has written five books, including the New York and Event Center and Peter Reed of Commercial Times bestseller “All You Can Do Is All You Can Florida Realty Services. Do, But All You Can Do Is Enough.” For years he has traveled the country as a motivational speaker, • • • •

CURRENT FALL 2014 5 That bluegrass rhythm's infectious

PBA students enjoyed a special College Night at the Norton Museum of Art's “Art After Dark” on Sept. 25. Planned in conjunction with PBA’s Student Activities, Involvement, and Leadership Committee, the evening included PBA student musicians, DIY art projects, a scavenger hunt in the Norton collection and live bluegrass music. When the bluegrass trio got into high gear, these PBA students found their rhythm in a group, clapping all around their table. From left, are Kaleigh Brammer, Rachel D'Ambrosi and Emily Alvarez. Campus expands with Coastal Towers & 'The Q' The University's main campus apartment building adjacent to Each unit has a full kitchen, has grown significantly with two Johnson Hall at 1001 S. Flagler with private balconies on the north recent acquisitions: Coastal Towers Drive. With 28 one-bedroom and south sides of the building. Apartments and the Quattlebaum and 14 two-bedroom units, it Residents will have access to the funeral home property. will provide premium residential rooftop pool and community space Coastal Towers is a nine-story housing for students. as well as on-property laundry facilities. The University acquired the Quattlebaum funeral home property between Olive Avenue and Wallingford Place and razed the building to provide parking. The acquisition came after the Quattlebaum Funeral and Cremation Services became part of The green area at right, the Dignity Memorial® network of recently sodded, was the funeral providers under a Houston, site of the Quattlebaum Texas-based corporation. funeral home building. In addition to parking, the site University maps now call now provides green space, opening the space "The Q." up the middle of campus.

6 CURRENT FALL 2014 OPEN! Soccer team brings a win as the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus debuts

The Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic The new campus is at 3401 Campus officially opened Sept. 4, with a newly Parker Ave. in West Palm Beach. designed Sailfish flag flapping in the breeze. For FAQ and other details, see After prayer and the National Anthem, the www.pba.edu/rinker-athletic- men's soccer team took to the field, defeating campus previously unbeaten Southeastern University 3-1. 7 CURRENT FALL 2014 7 Rubin Pledge:

ead Baseball Coach Kent Bottenfield and Robert T. Owens strolled across the warning path at the HMarshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus, where every week another piece of the complex falls neatly into place. “This has turned out beyond any of our wildest dreams,” said Bottenfield. “It’s sure coming together,” said Owens, who has a special interest in the field. Owens is chairman of the J.M. Rubin Foundation, which is providing $1.5 million toward construction of the baseball field. When the Sailfish open their baseball season in February, they’ll proudly take the field on their first home field, after years of nomadic playing on borrowed fields. And they’ll appreciate the generosity of J.M. “Jake” Rubin, a contractor who built key highways and communities during South Florida’s boom years. Rubin recruited Owens to join his company in 1974. Owens recalled his job interview, when a company official gave him a tour of the region. “He took me out to Wellington in a Jeep, and the grass out there was like 5 feet tall, and he said, ‘We’re going to build a city out here.’” Robert T. Owens, left, and Coach And build a city they did. Rubin’s company did the Kent Bottenfield

8 CURRENT FALL 2014 $1.5 million

Home Run for PBA The Time Is Now Campaign is part of a strategic plan to assist PBA achieve its vision to fund Baseball urgent needs including Phase III of the Rinker Athletic Campus. www.pba.edu/the-time-is-now

development in Wellington and in many Palm Beach combination of the turf, the soil brought in and the County neighborhoods, in addition to major sections careful grading means that the field drains very quickly of the turnpike and Interstate 95. Rubin died in 1993, after a rain, said Carolyn Stone, director of athletics. after amassing a fortune and directing most of it into a When Sailfish outfielders go racing after long fly foundation to benefit the community. balls, they’ll be protected by a generous warning track Owens became president and CEO of the Rubin of Crimson Stone, a natural stone from a quarry in Foundation when Rubin died. And some 20 years ago, Alabama. “It’s a really high-end finish that you find in Owens came to tour the PBA campus at the invitation some major league ballparks,” said Stone. of Dr. Donald E. Warren. And when the fans look up to see by how much the “He was a pretty persuasive guy,” said Owens of Sailfish are ahead, they’ll enjoy a 25-foot electronic Warren. “We looked at the university, and we liked scoreboard, topped with welded ironwork displaying what you all were doing here, and that’s how we the Sailfish logo. The scoreboard isn’t installed yet, but originally got involved.” Owens became a PBA trustee stay tuned. “It looks really unbelievable,” Stone said. in 2000. Pitcher Kennie Silvestri, a right-handed senior from Rubin Foundation scholarships have helped Tallahassee, joined Owens and Coach Bottenfield as hundreds of students go to college. The foundation’s they recently checked out the progress at the field. “The gift for PBA’s baseball program reflects Rubin’s love for field looks amazing,” said Silvestri. “We’ve played on sports. “He liked all sports,” said Owens, “but he had a many different fields over my three years here, and it’s particular interest in baseball.” going to be real nice to have a field to call home.” With the help of the foundation’s gift, the University is building a baseball field that would have made Rubin proud. The turf is Celebration Bermuda, specially • • designed for South Florida’s heavy rain and sun. The

CURRENT FALL 2014 9 Tough Love Alumnus Paul Eastman, at left, recalls his battle with substance abuse, and how PBA offered grace with accountability

The evolution of the Paul outside the PBA community had desperately needed. Eastman Scholarship is rooted in killed himself. “That shook me up Lowdermilk has found that redemption, a value PBA holds in pretty bad,” he said. when students violate school high regard. One morning about 2, policy, often they stand “at a Struggling with substance Eastman left a West Palm crossroads” in their spiritual abuse problems that began in Beach nightclub, running out in and personal development. “A sixth grade, Paul Eastman found front of traffic, trying to pick a very keen focus of our approach himself at PBA at his mother’s fight. That incident landed him at PBA is to use such times as urging. At the age of 21, he in a meeting in front of PBA’s an opportunity for redemptive had transferred to PBA from a discipline committee, and it was discipline,” he said. Connecticut college, knowing he not Eastman’s first offence. The committee members needed to find new friends and “As Paul will tell you, he was prayed, Lowdermilk said, “and make a change. not completely honest in the just really felt like some sign But routinely, he fell back into meeting,” said Eric Lowdermilk, of grace needed to be offered.” old, destructive habits. Then, at that time the staffer in They stopped short of expelling he said, “every once in a while, charge of student accountability. Eastman, but ruled he would a professor or student would Eastman tried to convince the not get his diploma until he see me in my state of a mess listeners that he had been clean completed a program for and disarray and would speak a and sober for months, only substance abuse. word of hope, or say ‘I’m praying stumbling because of his friend’s Eastman left the meeting for you,’ or invite me to a Bible suicide. Lowdermilk’s committee outwardly repentant though study.” had to balance accountability inwardly resentful and in denial. In December 2004, Eastman and grace, and help Paul find “These people are crazy,” he learned that a close friend his way to the redemption he so whispered to himself. But he wanted that diploma, and a short while later he entered rehab. “That’s where I surrendered my life,” he said. In a detox

1010 CURRENT FALL 2014 One morning about 2, Eastman left a West Palm Beach nightclub, running out in front of traffic, trying to pick a fight. That incident landed him in a meeting in front of PBA’s discipline committee.

center, he prayed, “God, there’s nothing else. You can have all of me. I’m yours. I’m afraid. I don’t know how I’m going to do this. Please hold my hand.” Eastman began reading his Bible and praying, and he shared his flickering faith with another man in rehab. There he felt God saying, “This is why I saved your life. This is the plan I have for your life, and I’m going to use you in a powerful way.”

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CURRENT FALL 2014 1111 (Continued from previous page) He received his PBA diploma, At that discipline committee with a communications major and meeting years ago, Eastman viewed “I’ve never really been the same business minor. He went back to Lowdermilk as his nemesis, but since that moment,” Eastman said. school, earned a four-year degree now he counts him as friend. And He graduated from rehab, got a in biblical studies, and did mission now Lowdermilk frequently gets job, and started some men’s prayer work in several countries. Several email like this: “Do you know Paul groups. He began working with times he’s come back to PBA as a Eastman? Wow! What a powerful young people having substance guest speaker with a riveting tale spiritual influence he is on my life, abuse problems. to tell. and his story is amazing.” An exciting new chapter of that story began in August. Eastman entered PBA’s graduate program in counseling, bringing with him an understanding of substance abuse and pain he learned the hard way.

(The story below explains how Eastman’s parents responded to his redemption by establishing a PBA scholarship in his name.) Friends now: Paul Eastman, left, and Dr. Eric Lowdermilk once sat opposite each other in a tense meeting of the University's discipline committee. • • Eastmans' gift to keep on giving hy endow a scholarship? Merrill and further, endowing the Paul Eastman Scholarship, Lorraine Eastman did it hoping that others “with a preference for disadvantaged youth and kids might see answers to prayer like the one that might be struggling with the same kinds of issues Wthey saw in their son’s life of substance abuse. that Paul was struggling with,” said Merrill. He wants The Eastmans moved frequently as Merrill climbed people to know about PBA’s nurturing Christian the executive ladder in the baking industry. And environment. Here, Merrill said, “people truly care frequently Lorraine found other affluent families about the individual student, even though they might worried with troubled kids like her son Paul. “For the be going through some terrible behavioral issues or 14 years that he was battling this, wherever I went, I terrible problems with addiction.” would ask people to pray,” she said. With an endowment, the principal of the gift Finally the Eastmans saw those many prayers remains intact, while the earned income funds student answered with the help of tough love from Palm Beach scholarships. Paul said “it’s awesome” that his parents’ Atlantic University. Pushed by an ultimatum from gift will keep on giving, year after year. “I think it’s the school’s discipline committee, Paul a blessing that somebody else’s life is completed a rehab program and turned going to get blessed through my life, his life around. through my encounter at school; a little “I truly believe if he hadn’t gone to bit of a legacy left behind.” PBA, if he’d gone to a school lacking the The Eastman family hopes that faith-based approach, he would have Paul’s story might encourage others gone a different direction, totally,” said to establish the legacy of endowed Merrill. He calls it “an utter miracle” scholarships, which form one of the what God did in Paul’s life, and it three priorities of the PBA’s campaign motivated Merrill to become a PBA “The Time Is Now.” For more trustee. information, call (561) 803-2011 or see Recently, the Eastmans went a step www.pba.edu/giving

12 CURRENT FALL 2014 New provost still a professor at heart

" here’s nothing like having not just about the location, but Jackson, Tennessee, where he a student walk up to you the place: the faculty, the staff, the was executive vice president for in the mall and say, ‘You opportunities to be the educational academic administration and Tchanged my life,’” said Dr. Gene C. arm of kingdom work in an dean of the faculty. Dr. David S. Fant Jr. He’s Palm Beach Atlantic’s amazing location. Dockery, president of Union during new provost, but his business card “There’s always been a very Fant’s time there, called him “a also says “Professor of English,” for high level of respect for PBA,” he skilled academic leader, deeply he clings to that part of his calling. said. But now many are eyeing the committed to the best of the liberal As seminary grad and the son school with even greater interest arts tradition.” Fant’s appointment and grandson of pastors, Fant and expectation of remarkable here “will be a great gift to the PBA seriously considered becoming things happening. “Everybody’s family for many years to come,” a missionary. But he concluded watching PBA.” Dockery said. that God was not sending him to Fant joined the university in Fant has published extensively, serve overseas, but rather, “to serve June. A Mississippi native, he including a number of books and at institutions that were sending came from Union University in frequent contributions to The institutions.” He finds PBA fitting Chronicle of Higher Education. nicely into that commission. Gene C. Fant Jr.: Many at PBA had followed his “It’s a pretty incredible platform Chronicle blog, which often deals we have here to do kingdom work,” Ph.D., English Literature, University of with educational leadership. Southern Mississippi said Fant. He cites “a huge shift” “As a faculty, we are delighted in Christian higher education: Certificate in Educational to have Dr. Fant as provost,” “Students want to be in cities, in Management, Harvard University said Dr. Nathan Lane, ministry Graduate School of Education urban settings with cultural and professor and president of the missional opportunities,” and at M.Ed., Educational Supervision, Faculty Senate. “The wealth of skills University of Southern Mississippi Palm Beach Atlantic, they find and experiences that he brings “this unbelievable combination M.Div., Biblical Languages, New uniquely suit him to lead us as of location, energy, potential and Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary we grow into an ever prominent

institutional maturity.” M.A., English, Old Dominion University Christian University. Furthermore, Outside observers have long his friendly and personable spirit talked about PBA’s location, Fant B.S., Anthropology, James Madison make him a pleasure to work with said, but now, “people are talking University at PBA.”

CURRENT FALL 2014 13 A big Welcome To the Rinker Athletic campus

1414 CURRENT FALL 2014 elcome Week has always been a wonderful way for students to begin their PBA adventure, but this fall the newcomers had extra blessings at the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker WAthletic Campus. Friday night they gathered on the lush turf of the RAC for “RAC-reation.” Students kicked off their shoes, tossed Fris- bees and competed in a friendly tournament of JUMBO volleyball. Then they settled down on blankets for a movie with popcorn and shaved ice courtesy the PBA Alumni Association. "It was incredible seeing the RAC’s transformation,” said Rachel Vogeney, a senior and co-director of the Welcome Week steering committee. “I saw it go through many stages, from a pile of dirt to a beautifully landscaped place where students were able to have tons of fun connecting to each other. The entire night exceeded my expectations by far and I am so excited to see how student’s lives continue to be blessed by the RAC and all of the opportunities it has to offer.”

CURRENT FALL 2014 1515 Guide dog leads a leader n the first day of school, Dr. Jenifer Elmore a bibliography or just adjusting to college. always asks her freshman English students He said the biggest challenge last year Oto introduce themselves to the class, starting simply came from the workload: “High with the first student on her right. Last fall, when school was just easy to me, but college Hunter Hicks landed in that hot spot, Elmore worried: is real work, not busywork.” For all Would he mention his blindness, would he feel those freshmen, “everybody got a rude pressured to talk about it, would he feel self- awakening,” he said. conscious? What of the extra challenge of “While those nervous thoughts were navigating a new campus that you running through my mind,” she said, can’t see? No problem, thanks “Hunter began introducing himself, his to Lugano, Hicks’ 75-pound blindness, and his dog with the perfect Labrador retriever. Hicks came poise and winning personality of a to school a few days early politician working the room.” She had and walked through his class worried about teaching a student who was schedule, giving Lugano a vision-impaired, but “I knew then that reward every time the dog everything would work out just fine.” took his master to the right Hicks would agree that everything classroom. Soon Lugano had worked out fine, though it took a lot of learned the schedule, so the work. “She’s a great teacher,” he said, “and two of them could get to she pushed me hard, in a nice way, and I classes on time. learned a lot in that class.” “The biggest part is, you The class Composition I has have to be confident challenged many a college student, but and you have to trust Hicks seems to take challenges in stride, the dog,” Hicks whether they involve rewiring his fishing said. “If you boat, learning to use a guide dog, annotating don’t trust the

‘The biggest part is, you have to be confident and you have to trust the dog,’ Hicks said. ‘If you don’t trust the dog, then the training won’t work.’

16 CURRENT FALL 2014 Hicks rewired and renovated the boat and maintains its motor, ‘all by feel.’ Every once in a while he’s needed help: ‘Alright, Dad, I ran all the wires, but I need you to tell me which ones are red and which ones are black.’ dog, then the training won’t work. For example, when Hicks rewired and renovated the boat and you’re coming up to a road, you can’t be hesitating or maintains its motor, “all by feel.” Every once in a while wincing, because the dog will see that you’re insecure he’s needed help: “Alright, Dad, I ran all the wires, but I and it will stop or it won’t perform correctly, because need you to tell me which ones are red and which ones dogs feed off our emotions.” are black.” Hicks began trusting Lugano during an intensive Armed with GPS, fish-finder and “all the gadgets,” two-week training process at an Oregon guide dog Hicks loves to hit the waterways of Palm Beach County school two years ago. He had never before used a guide with his fishing buddy Jerry Russo at the helm. “He dog, so he embarked on “a whole new lifestyle.” With maneuvers around the boat like a sighted person,” said Lugano’s help, he graduated from Palm Beach Central Russo. “Not being able to see doesn’t hold him back.” High School in Wellington and headed for the new English professor Elmore came to the same lifestyle of college. conclusion about Hicks. To earn his college degree, He wanted a good college, with small class sizes. she said, Hicks faces “thousands of hours of additional “I like to get to know my teachers,” he said, “not just tasks and processes” beyond the typical undergrad the teaching assistant who’s in charge of your row. And workload. “Yet he was as enthusiastic and eager to take I was looking for a good business school, and well, on that challenge as any freshman I’ve ever met. there you go: PBA.” “He was truly grateful for the opportunity to Hicks had long known about Palm Beach Atlantic, learn and improve, and that inspired everyone else for several in his family are Sailfish alumni, including in the class to take the work more seriously and to his grandmother Mona Hicks, now PBA’s associate vice be more supportive of one another,” she said. “Of all president of human resources. Hunter Hicks decided the students in all the classes I have taught, Hunter to commute from his home in Wellington, because a probably made the single most significant impact dorm room wouldn’t accommodate his hobbies, most on the overall experience of a class, and I think his notably his 17-foot, 14-year-old fishing boat. classmates would probably agree with me.” “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” said Hicks. “She might look old on the outside, but she’s brand new on • • the inside. Every wire, every connection, everything.”

CURRENT FALL 2014 17 1,200 That's how many tours Dr. Warren gave of the campus he loved

ifty-one years ago this month, cardiologist Don- ald E. Warren began to wrestle with the idea of starting a Christian college in South Florida, Fand whether he’d play a part in that venture. As he later wrote, “it seemed like an overwhelming project.” But after several days “of deep thought, prayer and soul searching,” Warren agreed to join the effort. In 1968 he became trustee chairman for the new Palm Beach Atlantic College, only after much deliberating and much more prayer. “Central to Don’s nature was to request and then reverently listen to the voice of God,” said Sally Soter, a longtime supporter of PBA. After Warren’s death in March of this year, Soter and others who knew him well recalled the man dubbed PBA’s “friendraiser-in- chief,” the man who had done so much to shape and build the University. “His dedication to the University was his strong sense of God’s call to do this work,” said PBA Trustee John Greene, who served under Warren as trustee vice chairman for nearly 20 years, and who was chairman from 2007 through 2009. In Warren’s 2009 book “Miracles & Wonders: A Chronicle of Palm Beach In a 1969 Christmas card, Don and Bebe Warren with Atlantic University,” the doctor explained God's call: daughters, from left, Amy, Julie and Leigh. that PBA “would serve as a beacon for Christ in the

18 CURRENT FALL 2014 most un-churched, fastest-growing area of the greatest Warren responded simply, “Okay.” Then he turned country in the world.” around and went into the elevator. “That’s Dr. Warren,” Warren often described himself as not a fundraiser, said Simpson with a laugh. but a storyteller. And he believed the best way to tell “There was no pretense about him,” recalled Greene. the University’s story was to bring people here to see “He wasn’t trying to impress anyone.” the good things God was doing. He had a remarkable But obviously he did impress many people. They way of making connections with people and he called Warren “visionary, great man of faith and personally conducted over 1,200 tours of the campus. prayer, multi-gifted, great communicator, incredibly “God has led me to build relationships with many authentic.” The University library bears his name, and wonderful, wise and prosperous people who have, PBA awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1988. The in turn, given large amounts of money to PBA,” said listing of his awards and community honors could go Warren in his book. on for pages. “Financial people at the college have told me I’m With all his honors and gifts, Warren also had his responsible for raising $100 million to $125 million on quirks. “He never said goodbye on the telephone,” behalf of the college.” recalled Scott Hawkins, current chairman of the PBA Board of Trustees. “He’d just hang up on you.” A talkative person might rattle along for some time on “He was a brilliant man, and he the phone, thinking he was still talking with Warren, organized his time incredibly,” but the doctor had finished talking and moved on. He had other calls to make and other things God wanted said Greene. “He didn’t waste him to do. He was making PBA phone calls until just much motion, and he didn’t days before he died. “I saw in Dr. Warren this great sense of calling,” waste many words.” said Hawkins. “He just had a tremendous will and determination. Grit. Resilience. A desire to do God’s How did a busy physician find time to build those will.” relationships and devote so many hours of service to Soter said Warren had “an uncompromising trust PBA? in God, Country, family, education and an unwavering “He was a brilliant man, and he organized his vision of the future.” Don and Bebe Warren, she said, time incredibly,” said Greene. “He didn’t waste much “fulfilled their quintessence in Palm Beach Atlantic motion, and he didn’t waste many words.” University.” Some called him blunt. His book cited his own “somewhat doctorly directness,” which he said was offset by the charm and graciousness of his wife Bebe, “a true Southern lady.” As chairman of PBA’s trustees, Warren took his efficiency and directness into the boardroom. “I saw him run meetings for a long time,” said Trustee Robert Simpson, who was trustee chairman from 2010 through 2012. “He made them happen and finish exactly on time, no matter what. And if you were late for a meeting, he would let you know it.” Warren also would let the trustees know about more important failings. Simpson said Warren “was the one who always told us” to make sure the University didn’t stray “from our roots as a Christ-centered university.” “Dr. Warren had his imprint on every trustee in a profound way,” said Simpson. He recalled a time during Warren’s later years when he snared the doctor Dr. Donald E. Warren with his wife Bebe. at the door of the library elevator, and said, “I just want to thank you and tell you how much of a positive and profound influence you’ve had in my life. I want to tell • • you that I love you.”

CURRENT FALL 2014 19 ABuilding Community Of Hope

Dale Locke '84 baptizes with the help of Kasey Castle '09

n the early 1980s, when the including two still teaching here. toward pastoral ministry.” Later, PBA band Direction went “Unbelievable,” he said of music after earning two graduate degrees touring, the leader would professor Marlene Woodward- from Asbury Theological Seminary, Ichoose different band members Cooper. “Any piece of music he felt called to plant a church in to share a testimony. The more you put in front of her, she Palm Beach County, a relatively the band traveled, the more that could immediately sight-read it unchurched region. speaking role fell to a tall, lean as though she’s performing it.” “A lot of young families were music major named Dale Locke. And then there’s David Skantar, moving in, not particularly Today he’s got shorter hair, but “just a phenomenal teacher and connected to faith or religion.” he’s still “sharing the Word,” after a phenomenal classical guitar player.” Even today, he said, “in Palm Beach wildly successful church plant that Classical guitar was Locke’s County only one person in 11 can began in his living room. applied area in his major, but he identify a faith home.” A South Florida native, Locke found all that sharing with the Into that challenging region, the graduated in 1984, and he recalls band Direction “began to shift my United Methodist Church invited fondly his PBA professors, calling from musical ministry more Locke and his wife Beth to plant a

2020 CURRENT FALL 2014 Singing with PBA's Directions, from left, were John Reeder, Scott Pastore, Mark Hendricks and Dale Locke. church from scratch. Locke knew denominations are in decline? storm ripped the roof off his house. only two families in his target area, “Our church just made some And internationally, villagers in and he stayed up late one night, decisions early on to do things Peru and Haiti enjoy safe drinking praying “and really kind of crying differently,” said Locke. He follows water thanks to Community of out to God with a lot of fear.” In the example of John Wesley, which Hope funding projects by Living the middle of the night, he felt means, among other things, a big Waters International. God give him the impression, “If emphasis on small group ministry. Locke’s staff includes two other you’ll trust me, if you’ll go and be Wesley believed churches should PBA alumni: Michael Carey ’12, faithful and be obedient, I’ll build a demonstrate a lively faith, said creative arts-media director, and community of hope.” Locke, “and that faith will call you Kasey Castle ’09, student ministry Now he had a name for the to respond to the plight of our director. Castle started as an intern, church: Community of Hope. But neighbor and the community and “a fantastic experience,” she said. no church building. So the Lockes the world.” “All of the students that we’ve gathered names, knocked on doors As examples of that response had flow through (as interns) have and invited people to their home of faith, a Community of Hope just been top-rate kids that are for a “startup barbecue.” Eighteen member will never forget how his really doing some great things for people showed up, and the next small group rallied to help after a God,” said Locke. The internship Sunday nine people came back for link is just one facet of the church’s the first Bible study. “really good relationship” with “Crazy,” Locke said with a laugh. PBA, he said. “So my first experience, I grew the Community Kathy Copan, wife of PBA church from 18 to nine.” of Hope staff ministry professor Vic Copan, is That was 1996. Now discipleship pastor at Community Community of Hope draws about includes two of Hope. Locke’s daughter Haley 1,000 people each Sunday to its other PBA alumni: received her PBA degree in 2013, own property on Okeechobee and there are numerous other PBA Boulevard in Loxahatchee Groves. Michael Carey ’12, connections among the church And last year the church led creative arts-media members. Together, they continue Florida Methodist churches in director, & Kasey to grow and minister, seeking, as baptisms, professions of faith one of their church T-shirts says, to and the percentage of members Castle ’09, student “Love God, love people, do stuff.” connecting in small groups. ministry director. How has Community of Hope grown so dramatically, • • when nationwide mainline

CURRENT FALL 2014 21 Class Notes

Reserve of U.S. Bank serving the Megan Singleton ’06 graduated Palm Beach, Florida region. U.S. from Indiana University School Bank is ranked among the top 20 of Law Bloomington in 2009. She Newsworthy Notes U.S. wealth managers. lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Cindy Knight Southworth ’92 has Larry Sparks ’05 released his Keelan O’Carroll ’07 released his been selected by million-copy best- first book, debut album “Words” under the selling author Shannon Ethridge to “Breakthrough moniker KEELAN on July 7, 2014 participate in an online mentorship Faith,” with via NoiseTrade, program called B.L.A.S.T: Building the Christian a website Leaders, Authors, Speakers and publisher Destiny established by Teachers. She will be creating Image. The book recording artist videos, critiquing others’ work and has received Derek Webb. “learning to gain the respect of endorsements KEELAN is potential publishers and editors.” from leaders rehearsing with She lives in Lake Wales, Florida. including Bill Johnson, Dr. Randy a full band Email: [email protected] Clark, Pastor Tom Mullins and and will begin Karen Wheaton. Sparks lives in playing live shows this fall. He lives Arlo Hemphill ’94, of Ocean Jupiter, Florida. in West Palm Beach. City, Maryland, has been named www.lawrencesparks.com www.facebook.com/keelanmusic; communications manager for www.twitter.com/keelanmusic; MARCO, the Mid-Atlantic Robert McEachnie,’ 05 has won www.reverbnation.com/ Regional Council for the Ocean. the University of Florida’s Milbauer keelanmusic MARCO is a partnership between prize from the department of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, history for the best dissertation. Joseph Laundrie ’08 has expanded New Jersey and New York to work He also has an article in the most his business, Denison Yacht Sales, together on ocean issues. Email: recent issue of the Church History opening an office [email protected] Journal, June, 2014, “A History in Montauk, New of Heresy Past: The Sermons of York at Montauk Thomas P. Riley ’99 MBA has Chromatius of Aquileia.” He lives Yacht Club Resort been named senior vice president- in Charlotte, North Carolina. and Marina. development for Marcus Hotels Laundrie, a Long & Resorts and MCS Capital LLC. Kyle Winkler ’05, of Pensacola, Island native, lives in West Sayville, He has 22 years in the lodging Florida, a New York. His new office will focus industry, including executive- signed author on the sale of large motor yachts level positions in acquisitions, with Charisma and sport fishing yachts. Email: development and finance. A House, has [email protected]. graduate of Pennsylvania State released his book University, he received an MBA “Silence Satan.” Elizabeth Cayson ’09 M.S., from PBA. He lives in Sevema It is available the Health Park, Maryland. Email: tomriley@ in bookstores Care District’s marcushotels.com. nationwide, government through Amazon and at www. relations Joshua Fleming ’04 of West Palm silencesatan.com. specialist, was Beach has been hired as a portfolio Email: [email protected]. appointed by manager for the Private Client

22 CURRENT FALL 2014 Florida Gov. Rick Scott to serve border. Ferreira-MacMannis, who Katie Huddleston Goulet ’09 on the Florida Interagency is a registered nurse, lives in Stuart, graduated May 9 from Campbell Coordinating Council for Florida. www.loveachild.com University College of Pharmacy Infants and Toddlers (FICCIT). Email: [email protected] and Health Sciences with a In her 19-year career with the doctorate of pharmacy and a Health Care District, Cayson has Diana Busbin McCarley ’09 M.S. master’s of science in clinical received numerous awards for her is the aftercare program supervisor research summa cum laude. She leadership and service as a member for Eckerd’s Dallas offices. Eckerd and her husband Chad live in of many community civic, cultural is a faith-based nonprofit whose Wilson, North Carolina, and she is and governmental committees and mission is to provide and share a pharmacist with CVS Pharmacy. organizations. solutions that promote the well- Email [email protected] being of children and families Chad Michael Goulet ’10 Barbara Ferreira-MacMannis ’09 in need of a second chance. The graduated March 1, 2013, from serves in Fond Parisein, Haiti, with Dallas office works with youth who the 130th Basic North Carolina Love A Child, have been incarcerated to assist State Highway Patrol Academy as a Inc. She and in reunification with families and state trooper. He works in Wilson her husband promote successful re-integration County, North Carolina. Ken joined the into the community. McCarley organization lives in Plano, Texas. Aug. 1, and serve the people of the southeastern part of Haiti near the Dominican Republic

PBA Homecoming 2014: November 12-16 Details at www.pba.edu/homecoming

Congratulations to all our honorees

CURRENT FALL 2014 23 Christopher May ’13 and Dr. Stacy Carson ’09 Pharm.D., winner of the 2009 Lexie Barbee were married Lloyd L. Gregory Outstanding Graduate Award, is a June 27 in Venice, Florida, pharmacist and celebrating with a group of medication safety PBA friends. They live in specialist at North Michigan, where he is an Florida Regional associate pastor of a church in Medical Center Warren, and together they lead in Gainesville, the youth group. Florida. The center recently presented her the 2014 Innovator Award in the category of quality and patient safety for her work Stephanie Michelle Prater to keep patients safe by improving the medication ’07 was married to Dr. administration process. Christopher Carafa on May 9 in Lido, New Jersey, Lindsey Millner Shutes ’11 was promoted to assistant and they live in Saddle clinical manager of her unit at Jupiter Medical Center. Brook, New Jersey. She is in her fourth year at Saint George’s Medical School Weddings in Grenada, doing her medical rotations in New Jersey and taking U.S. Sean Sykes ’05 & Geneveve medical certification exams. Gort Sykes ’06 were married She plans to specialize in Jan. 24 in South Florida radiology. and went to Italy on their honeymoon. Sean works for Gold Coast Beverage Distribution and Geneveve works for Palm Beach Atlantic University. They and their children Zechariah, 6, and Joseph, 5, live in West Palm Beach.

Carley Page Aman ’14 and Jonathan Aaron Summers were married in Greenville, North Carolina, on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the home of Mike and Page Aman, parents Your Sailfish are flying high! of the bride. Pastor Branson As Current magazine went to press, Sheets of Covenant Church PBA volleyball was unbeaten officiated the double-ring and soccer was going strong. ceremony. The couple lives in Follow all the Sailfish action: West Palm Beach. www.pbasailfish.com

24 CURRENT FALL 2014 Births & New Additions What's your news? Share the word about that new job, promotion, spouse or baby: pba.edu/alumniservices (And send us a high-resolution photo with your news item)

All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Scott Roads ’96 and his wife Kelli Maxfield Roads ’96 welcomed Friday, January 23, 2015 their daughter, Anna Sue Roads, e Merling Trio on March 26, 2014. Anna joins big Hailed as a brilliantly distinguished group endowed with brothers Joseph and Samuel. They remarkable gifts of communication, magni cent precision and an impeccable blend of sound. reside in West Palm Beach. Friday, February 27, 2015 Lincoln Center Jazz Bringing people together through swing, with an electrifying program of classics and moderns.

Friday, March 20, 2015 Carpe Diem Quartet Innovative performances re ecting passions for Gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock and jazz-inspired music alongside the traditional string quartet repertoire.

Friday, April 17, 2015 PBA Symphony and Dustin McKinley ’02 and his Violinist Lin Chang, wife Andrea welcome Katelyn Exotic Breezes Grace on Sept. 8, 2013. They live International performer Lin Chang is co-director of the School of Music at in Indianapolis, Indiana. Email: the East China Normal University in [email protected] Shanghai, China.

All performances in the Helen K. Persson Recital Hall in Vera Lea Rinker Hall except for the fi nal concert, which will be in the DeSantis Family Chapel on campus. For tickets, call Palm Beach Atlantic University Ticket Central: (561) 803-2970 or email [email protected]

CURRENT FALL 2014 25 Ashley Carlson Cox ’07 and husband Stephen Cox ’08 welcomed daughter Madison Ann Cassie Bordonaro Schwarz ’06 Cox, born on March 27, 2014. The and her husband, Jason, welcomed family lives in Mableton, Georgia. their second son, Logan Jace, on Email: [email protected] March 6, 2014. Logan joins his big brother Cameron. The family lives in northern New Jersey. Email:[email protected] The Rev. Charles A. Browning II ’07 and his wife Cainna welcomed Stephanie Sousa Sharpe ’10 a son, Charlie in June. Charles welcomed her second daughter serves as priest in charge and Selena Joy Sharpe on May 31, 2014. school chaplain at The Chapel She lives in Lakeland, Florida. of Saint Andrew Episcopal Church in Boca Raton. Email: [email protected]

Angie Morrell Hardman ’03 and husband Keith were married Sept. 26, 2009, and live in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Their daughter Lucy Joy was born May 21, 2013. 27th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament A record number of golfers and sponsors made it a great success!

Katie Sharpe Rowe ’06/’09 M.S. and husband Seth welcomed their son Nathaniel Allen. They live in For tournament photos, visit: www.pba.edu/alumni-golf-photos-2014 Jupiter, Florida. Save the date for next year: Oct. 3

26 CURRENT FALL 2014 Your chance to see and support the athletic campus lumni who celebrated the opening of the new athletic campus on Sept. 4 can attest to what a great blessing this facility is to PBA. Out-of-towners Awho missed the opening should make plans now to attend Homecoming 2014 and tour the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus and have Lunch on the Lawn on Saturday, Nov. 15. Three days later, alumni have a unique opportunity to show their support in Thanks 4 Giving, a 24- hour online giving challenge. This Day of Giving, a first for PBA, is part of The Time is Now, an $18 million campaign announced in September by President William M. B. Fleming, Jr. The campaign designates $1 million for endowed scholarships, $1 million for new academic programming and $16 million for the athletic BE A GIVER campus. Already $15.2 million has been raised, and alumni will be key in reaching the final goal. Apryl Ellis Scalici ’96 and Ben Starling ’92 are co-chairing NOT A TURKEY the Alumni Leadership Council in support of the campaign. The alumni goal is $200,000. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Nov. 18, the entire University community will come together for Thanks 4 Giving, an exciting opportunity to push toward the $18 million mark. Looking forward to Thanksgiving, let’s offer grateful thanks to God for how He blessed our time as students at PBA. Future generations of Sailfish will be just as thankful as they reap the benefits of scholarships, academic programs and the Rinker Athletic Campus. See further details: www.pba.edu/the-time-is-now Happy Thanksgiving, and Thanks 4 Giving.

Current Editorial Offices: John Sizemore P.O. Box 24708 Editor of Current West Palm Beach [email protected] Florida 33416-4708

CURRENT FALL 2014 27 NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID WEST PALM BEACH FL PERMIT #1356 P. O. Box 24708 West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4708

Extending hands Pharmacy student Christina Murphy prays with a woman in Uganda during the summer mission trip made by 12 pharmacy students, two professors, one preceptor and one PBA alumna. PBA undergrads also traveled the globe in ministry, visiting 12 countries. For a slide show of other mission trip images use the code at right or visit: www.pba.edu/missions-photos-2014