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FOR THE FRIENDS OF PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE
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A legacy of Leadership President Gallon sets sights on new horizons 154569-PBSC_R1.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/15 10:23 AM Page A
t the beginning of this academic as president, the College has added been blessed to work with the District year, I informed our District dozens of new programs to meet local, Board of Trustees and co-workers with Board of Trustees that this current employment needs. The STEM vision and dedication, and they all have Awould be my final year as the president fields (Science, Technology, Engineering supported the College in innumerable of Palm Beach State College. The and Mathematics) have become high- ways. Each of our campuses enjoys months since that announcement have focus program areas, and our students strong, productive ties with local been a whirlwind of activity as we push are graduating with credentials that give businesses, schools and civic forward on initiatives of great them access to the region’s growing organizations. We have worked importance to the College and to the bioscience and information technology together with the School District of community. In rare moments available industries. We have created the Dr. Palm Beach County to forge smooth for quiet reflection, I realize that while I Floyd F. Koch Honors College for high- pathways for students and to am excited about my upcoming achieving students, and we have strengthen dual enrollment and early retirement, I am also relishing each expanded our educational offerings to admission. Palm Beach State College is opportunity this year presents to include high-demand baccalaureate chosen by more high school graduates advance the College degrees. Many programs and courses than any other postsecondary and provide our are now Internet-based, as e-learning institution in the county. These students with what has become the fastest growing students, as well as adults in our they need to succeed segment of the College’s enrollment. community, have access to a rich range and grow. of educational options and With all of us working together, the instructional/student support services, The Nov. 7 College has grown in size and stature, no matter what their personal and groundbreaking for right along with the community we are professional goals are. the new Loxahatchee charged to serve. The College’s Groves campus was current enrollment makes us the largest While much has been accomplished, one of those satisfying institution of higher education in Palm there are still many goals to be achieved moments. After Beach County. The College and opportunities to improve our Dennis P. Gallon, Ph.D. receiving approval Foundation’s endowment has grown to services to the community. As the President from the State Board $31.6 million, and Community College College conducts a national search for of Education in 2006 Week has recognized the College as its next president, I am devoting my full to proceed with the establishment of a the eighth largest producer of associate attention to continuing our progress on new campus, the College intensified its degrees in the nation. The College also these fronts and ensuring a smooth efforts to secure construction funding has made extensive upgrades to passage to the new administration. and purchased a 75-acre parcel of land modernize its facilities and constructed in Loxahatchee Groves in 2012. The new facilities to accommodate groundbreaking event was a programs added to the curriculum. culmination of efforts that brought together more than 100 community One of the most rewarding aspects supporters, business and political of serving as PBSC president has been leaders in a true spirit of celebration. the close collaboration with the While the campus will not be communities that we serve. I have completed during my tenure, it is extremely gratifying to see this project take shape and to know that what we Serving as the leader of an incredible institution in a community worked diligently to bring about will benefit Palm Beach County residents that values and supports quality education has been a thrilling, for generations to come. rewarding journey. I will be leaving with a grateful heart. It is even more rewarding to look back at the academic growth of the institution. During my nearly 18 years
Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Palm Beach State College, founded in 1933 as Florida's first public community college, is a diverse, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools comprehensive institution dedicated to serving the educational needs of Palm Beach County. Integrally linked to the Commission on Colleges to award the associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact community through strong partnerships, the College provides associate and baccalaureate degrees, professional the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call certificates, workforce development and lifelong learning. Palm Beach State College’s mission is to create and sustain (404) 679-4500 for questions about the a dynamic teaching and learning environment that provides a high-quality, accessible, affordable education, accreditation of Palm Beach State College. The Commission should be contacted only if preparing students to contribute and compete ethically and successfully in a diverse global community. there is evidence that appears to support an institution's non-compliance with an www.PalmBeachState.edu accreditation requirement or standard. Contact 154569-PBSC_R1.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/15 10:41 AM Page 1
Watch an interview with Dr. Gallon: www.palmbeachstate.edu/Contact
PRESIDENT Contact is produced by the Office CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PHOTOGRAPHY Kari W. McCormick Dennis P. Gallon, Ph.D. of College Relations and Marketing, Joyce Edelstein Joyce Edelstein Tabatha B. McDonald Palm Beach State College, 4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33461. Tabatha B. McDonald Al Evans John Ricksen DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Please call 561-868-3122 or email Kelly Merritt Ed Fitzsimmons Kristi Sorrow William Berger [email protected] for Kristi Sorrow Candy Lall Dass Charles K. Cross, Jr. further information or to obtain VIDEOGRAPHY additional copies of Contact. Grace H. Truman Matthew Lester John W. Dowd III Ryan Donovan Wendy S. Link EDITOR ART DIRECTOR Carolyn L. Williams Grace H. Truman, Ed.D. Kari W. McCormick PALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE 1
Co ac Patricia Medina, Student 154569-PBSC.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:34 AM Page 2 Contents
Your Pathway to Success
Features 6 Departments FACULTY SPOTLIGHT CLOSING THE GAP Tech savvy professors honored for creative use New Loxahatchee Groves 16 3 of technology to teach English campus to serve growing west central area FYI PALM BEACH STATE Green building excellence | Collaboration paves A STRONG FABRIC 18 way to computer careers | New programs meet How business partners boost 6 new demands | 6th lowest tuition student success SPORTS GOING FOR THE GOLD Softball shortstop claims All American status | Presidential Honors College 10 20 Yolanda Griffith joins elite ranks of basketball Scholarship attracts county’s 10 immortality | Home Games Schedules top students FOUNDATION HEART’S DESIRE Cosmos host to kick off third year of STEAM Career transformations 12 22 initiative at Palm Beach State ALUMNI CORNER 24 Panther baseball great ‘Cruz-es’ to major league success
ALUMNI SUCCESS STORIES Back cover ON THE COVER: President Dennis Gallon’s 12 retirement in June 2015 will conclude 18 years of leadership and service to Palm Beach State College and a legacy of exceptional progress and When you see one of these social media icons outstanding achievement. with a story, there is even more to see online. Photo galleries, videos, or links let you share the good news. Contact is online in two different forms, one that looks just like the printed version and one that’s more accessible for mobile devices. 16 www.PalmBeachState.edu/Contact
Visit the online magazine with your smart phone Contact is printed on chlorine-free, Forest QR code reader App Stewardship Council® certified and Rainforest AllianceTM certified paper.
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PALM BEAACH GARDENA S
BELLEB GLADE
LOXAHHAATCHEE GROOOVES Closing the gap: LAKEKEK WWORTHTH New Loxahatchee Groves campus to serve growing west central area
B Y T ABATHA B. M C D ONALD BOBOCA RATTON
fter securing $6 million in legislative funding represents one of PBSC’s last major initiatives last year toward construction of the first under the leadership of President Dennis P. building, Palm Beach State College is slated Gallon, who will retire June 30 after nearly 18 to open its fifth campus in Loxahatchee years at the helm. AGroves in 2016. More than 100 people, including Town Council The campus will create greater access to higher members and business and community leaders, education and job training for residents and attended a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 7 businesses in the county’s growing west central on the 75-acre campus site at the northwest area. It is a significant milestone for the 82- corner of Southern Boulevard and B Road. The year-old College, which built its fourth campus site includes more than 1,000 feet of frontage more than 30 years ago. It also is one of the on Southern Boulevard, which the Florida first major developments in Loxahatchee Department of Transportation plans to Groves, a rural, newly incorporated town widen to six lanes from Palms West of about 3,000 residents. The campus also Hospital to 20-Mile Bend. The campus
continued on page 4
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With this campus, we will fill in the gap as far as making education and training opportunities accessible for all Palm Beach County residents. Dr. Dennis P. Gallon PBSC president
ARTIST’S RENDERING
The Loxahatchee Groves campus, will make access to classes easier for those in Lox- create a “net zero campus” meeting the highest ahatchee Groves, Loxahatchee, Royal Palm Beach, green construction standards. designed by Zyscovich Architects, Wellington, The Acreage and surrounding com- “We are very excited to have the campus as part is scheduled to open in 2016. munities. of our community,’’ said Dave Browning, mayor “This is one of the most underserved areas in Palm of Loxahatchee Groves. “We really want to keep Beach County,” Gallon said. “A majority of the a very laid-back lifestyle much like what we have. growth that is taking place now and in the next We like the fact that the College is going to be 20 years will be in that area.” low impact to our community. It will provide serv- The first building will be a three-story, 50,000- ices and a beautiful campus that will reflect the square-foot multipurpose facility with classrooms type of lots we have for our homes and the overall and computer labs, administrative offices, a 250- look of the community.” seat lecture hall and ancillary support spaces. It contains 468 student stations. This phase, which A decade includes the building and site design, paving, drainage, utility infrastructure and the furniture, in the making fixtures and equipment, is expected to cost $25 The idea of a possible fifth campus first surfaced million. James Storms, PBSC’s Facilities Planning in August 2004 when the District Board of Trustees assistant manager, said current plans are to add authorized Gallon to pursue a feasibility study. two additional buildings within five to seven years Zabik & Associates, a Royal Palm Beach consulting depending on enrollment and the availability of firm, conducted the study in 2005 and concluded construction funding. The next two buildings will that with the county’s projected population growth include labs, a library/study space, a cafeteria and over the next 25 to 30 years, the College would a student center. He said the College is striving to
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PBSC trustee Wendy Link speaks to more than 100 people at the ground- breaking ceremony for the new campus Nov. 7. Loxahatchee Groves mayor Dave Browning and William Underwood, town manager, were among the attendees.
Caption from Page 3, Loxahatchee Groves campus groundbreaking ceremony notables, from left, were:
also approved the educational spec- Shreya Kuntawala, legislative assistant to State Sen. Joseph Abruzzo ifications for the entire first phase of Rachael Ondrus, executive director, Palm Beach County the campus. Legislative Delegation Mark Pafford, state representative “I’m delighted that Palm Beach State William Underwood, Loxahatchee Groves town manager is opening a campus to serve high Lori Berman, state representative school students graduating from Ryan Liang, Loxahatchee Groves councilman schools in the western communities,’’ Noel Guillama, PBSC Foundation board chair said Wayne Burns, chief executive Ron Jarriel, Loxahatchee Groves vice mayor officer of the Central Palm Beach Dave Browning, Loxahatchee Groves mayor County Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Dennis P. Gallon, PBSC president “I think having a college campus out Carolyn Williams, PBSC trustee Charles Cross, PBSC trustee here will provide an enhanced oppor- Wendy Link, PBSC trustee tunity to create relationships between William Berger, PBSC trustee the business community and the Patricia Medina, PBSC student trustee College to provide workers with the Kent Long, senior vice president, Balfour Beatty Construction training and skills necessary to fulfill Jim Rockett, Loxahatchee Groves councilman the needs of local businesses.” Todd Bonlarron, legislative affairs director, Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation Legislative funding budgeted for Melissa McKinlay, newly elected Palm Beach County Commissioner the project was approved by the Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO, Business Development Board governor last year. Gallon said he is of Palm Beach County pleased to see the campus finally come to fruition. “This is another great moment in the history of Palm Beach State, and I need a fifth campus. The study looked closely at believe this campus will be a jewel for those west drive times to existing campuses and where the central communities,’’ Gallon said. “Our goal growth would occur in the county. Palm Beach always has been to ensure that we’re serving and County’s population is expected to increase by meeting the educational needs of the community. 600,000 by 2030, from about 1.3 million to about With the establishment of this campus, we will fill 1.9 million people, the study noted. The study in the gap as far as making education and training concluded that the area most likely in need of serv- opportunities accessible for all Palm Beach County icing by the College, based on the population pro- residents.” jections, is bounded to the north by Northlake Boulevard, to the south by Lake Worth Road, to the east by Florida’s Turnpike and to the west by 20-Mile Bend. “The study showed that we were providing adequate access with the exception of that area,’’ Gallon said. “We looked at several sites within that border.” The Florida Board of Education approved Palm For more photos and videos: Beach State’s request to build a fifth campus in April 2006. The College finalized the purchase of www.palmbeachstate.edu/Contact 75 acres in Loxahatchee Groves in October 2012, and in October 2013, the District Board of Trustees voted to spend up to $4 million for architectural design, infrastructure and site work. The board
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How business partners boost student success BY J OYCE E DELSTEIN
If anything defines today’s college students, it’s their goal to graduate with a job – a career-track job. But a good job in a student’s field of interest doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a college curriculum that matches employers’ needs. It also helps if these same employers are involved in developing the job candidates they want to hire. Luckily, Palm Beach State College students have more than 400 local business partners in their corner.
Business partners play a crucial role in many aspects gap, and the best people to tell us that are the employers. of the College, but nowhere is their influence more We can always improve, so they help us refine our pro- hands-on than in their close working relationships gram goals and our curriculum.” with Palm Beach State’s 100-plus career programs and What do the council members get in return? The crux bachelor’s degrees. These professionals, volunteering of the win-win proposition for business partners is the as members of the College’s business partnership and ability to shape future job applicants. “We have a program advisory councils, act as external eyes and number of companies that know the phone numbers ears that make the programs better – and better able to call and the times of the year to call, specifically to support workforce demands. looking for our graduates as they finish the different “Woven into successful programs is a very, very strong trade programs,” says Reeder. fabric of business advisors,” says Rick Reeder, associate Happily, business partners do hire Palm Beach State dean for Palm Beach State’s Trade and Industry division. graduates. They also provide paid internships, clinical “They help you understand the kind of worker that training sites, guest speakers, company tours, schol- they need. Then as you turn the graduates out into arships, mentoring and help in sourcing equipment the workforce, they’re the ones that hire your for student labs, including outright donations. graduates.” In recognition of their extraordinary efforts, Vallejo Dr. Maria Vallejo, Lake Worth campus provost, has instituted annual “thank-you” events for the council oversees the collegewide operation of the councils. members. “It’s imperative to let them know that they’re Each program’s council is comprised of at least five important and to let the community know, ‘hey look people who work in the profession. They provide long- at the kind of partners we have here, and if you’re inter- range planning, occupational forecasting, program ested in joining, call this number!’” advocacy and, perhaps most importantly, curriculum relevance. “When we sit around the table with them, we ask, ‘if you haven’t hired our students, what’s missing Take a moment and meet a few compared to the folks you are hiring?’” says Vallejo. of Palm Beach State’s valuable Dr. Jacqueline Rogers, Lake Worth campus dean of health sciences and public safety, concurs. “We want partners. Story continues on page 8 to be sure our students are learning what they’re going to need to know. We want to be sure there’s not a skills
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John Fischetti
Dental lab at the Lake Worth campus
“We want to be sure there’s not a skills gap, and the best people to tell us that are the employers.” Dr. Jacqueline Rogers Palm Beach State College
Edwin Carranza, Sikorsky instrumentation John Fischetti, general manager of technician and graduate of PBSC’s Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center Electrical Power Technology program and PBSC business partner
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At Good Samaritan Medical Center, Charlotte Dolan, imaging supervisor (left), and Barbara O’Brien, director of imaging services (far right and below), guide Palm Lenny Chesal played a key role in the success Beach State Radiography students of Palm Beach State’s Tech Tank education Mohamad Atway (acting as patient) and symposium on how to best grow the Ashley Salvatore in a training exercise. technology talent needed for South Florida’s business community.
Lenny Chesal Executive Vice President, Business Development & Chief Marketing Officer Host.net | Boca Raton Member, Business Partnership Council for Information Management B.A.S. degree Making connections The power of connections cannot be underestimated, especially in the dynamic field of information technology. That’s why business partners like Lenny Chesal are so important to Palm Beach State’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Information Management. Barbara O’Brien Director of Imaging Services, Good Samaritan Medical Center | West Palm Beach An executive for Host.net, the Boca Raton- based colocation and managed services Member, Radiography Program Advisory Council provider, Chesal is on a mission to see years ago, when 10 hospitals Palm Beach State instructors, are South Florida reach its IT potential. He Growing programs actually funded the program’s graduates of these programs. was instrumental in bringing local IT “Years ago when there was such industry heavyweights to the Lake Worth startup. Today, these same hos- Students spend about three-quarters a huge shortage of technologists, pitals continue to train students campus for a technology symposium last we were forced to hire through of the two-year Radiography Asso- fall and has become a “go-to” source for in clinical rotations, hire gradu- ciate in Science degree program in agencies,” says Barbara O’Brien. ates and promote the program. everything from finding vendors to uncov- “Now a good 80 percent of my clinical rotations at the local ering internship opportunities. They’ve also helped the College hospitals. O’Brien advises students department is provided by the develop specialty medical imag- “As technology is changing, the curriculum College.” to treat it as an extended job inter- ing programs in sonography, view: “Depending on how well they has to change even faster because you’re Career programs are born out of computed tomography and do, if I have any positions open, that’s teaching the workers of tomorrow,” says real need. That’s exactly how magnetic resonance imaging. who I’ll choose, and that’s why I have Chesal. “I think it is incumbent on us as Palm Beach State’s Radiography Many of the hospitals’ medical such a fantastic team here. I’m very the technology community to communi- program came into existence 25 imaging supervisors, as well as fussy.” cate to the colleges and universities what we need, so they can create exactly what’s Praising the program, she credits Dr. necessary to help us achieve our workforce Vicki Shaver, department chair and goal. We should grow our own talent.” professor of medical imaging, and the rest of the program faculty. “The According to Chesal, the fastest growing proof is in the pudding,” O’Brien areas locally are “cloud computing, big adds. “The quality of technologists data and big data analytics, cybersecurity, “Now a good 80% anything mobile, anything medical, that I have here is superb, and that of my department is can’t happen unless they were edu- and the combination of mobile and med- cated as such.” ical.” In addition, “the whole startup com- munity in South Florida has exploded.” provided by the College.” Chesal is happy to support the College in Barbara O’Brien creating “good matches” between local tech companies and graduates. “I think it’s a great cause and worth the time and effort.”
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Machining lab in the Education & Training Center on the Lake Worth campus
ing devices for telecommunication Former Sikorsky intern and now an employee, PBSC graduate Barry O’Connell Edwin Carranza works inside the Sikorsky S-76D™ commercial Vice President of Business Development systems that are designed and manufac- helicopter as Terry Stein, crew chief, observes. “One of the and Engineering, Logus Microwave Corp. tured by Logus Microwave. The work benefits of the internship was the kind of commitment that is done using computer numerical con- Sikorsky has to working with students,” says Carranza. | West Palm Beach trol (CNC) hardware and software, and Chairperson, Machining Technology the College followed the advice of Business Partnership Council O’Connell and other partners to John Fischetti get state-of-the-art Haas machines. General Manager, Development Flight Center, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation | Jupiter “We’ve got Haas machines here,” says Member, Business Partnership Council for Electrical Power Technology, A.S. degree Meeting industry standards O’Connell, “and when the graduates Addressing local needs is one part of come out, they’re very familiar with program. “As they work toward their the picture, but so is making sure that the controls, the language and the pro- Creating perfect bachelor’s degree in engineering, students get what they need to succeed gramming.” they’re actually getting hands-on expe- anywhere. Palm Beach State College’s O’Connell also encouraged the College pathways rience in the environment in which Machining Technology students owe to pursue accreditation from the The Sikorsky name has been synony- they’ll be designing, which makes their mobility, in no small part, to Barry National Institute for Metalworking mous with helicopters since 1910. them extremely valuable to me,” O’Connell. Skills, which sets the skill standards for Now this creator of the famed U.S. Fischetti says. “Who better to design “We were involved before the first brick the industry. Now Logus and fellow Army Black Hawk has opened up two the next generation product than the was laid over there, before the first business partner Kreiger Machine internship positions and hired at least people who’ve been handling the pre- machine,” says O’Connell. That was 10 Company devote quality control hours a half dozen graduates of PBSC’s Elec- vious generation product?” trical Power Technology A.S. degree years ago. Today, the majority of his to inspecting the parts students create, What’s next? In 2015, Fischetti will machine shop employees are graduates in order to help them earn nationally program. Evidently, when there are opportunities for hiring, John identify projects that students may of PBSC. “They’re doing very well. It’s recognized NIMS credentials. “Nothing choose for their required senior proj- been a fantastic partnership.” slides, and if there’s anything found that Fischetti has found an ideal workforce development partner. ects. These students will gain access Machinists produce precision parts for is noncompliant to the drawing, we’ll to Sikorsky labs and receive mentoring products, such as the microwave switch- send it back,” says O’Connell. Most Collaborating with Associate Professor from staff engineers. students pass the first time around. Oleg Andric, Fischetti saw a match between the curriculum and his need “So here’s another win-win,” he adds. Sharon Masiarczyk for technicians to work in his division, “The students get a focused senior Territory Representative, South Florida | Benco Dental which tests aircraft prior to customer project that comes with a big support structure, and Sikorsky gets more Chairperson, Program Advisory Council for Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene delivery. “Oleg does a wonderful job of grooming these students for bandwidth to pursue technology “I love to work with the students,” says industry.” ideas. The student wins and Sikorsky On the inside track Masiarczyk, and as a distributor, she has Aircraft wins – it’s the perfect Fischetti also promotes a pathway for relationship.” When you visit at least 10 dental prac- resources to share. She invites both students interested in becoming engi- tices a day, and have done so for more faculty and students to seminars and neers for Sikorsky. Program graduates than 15 years, you acquire plenty of continuing education courses, and gen- can start as technicians, earn a good insider knowledge. That’s why Sharon erously provides speakers for student wage, and at the same time, go back Masiarczyk’s lecture, “The 10 Do’s and club meetings and special events, such to school with the help of the com- th Don’ts in a Dental Office,” is an annual as the dental programs’ 50 anniversary pany’s education reimbursement event for Palm Beach State’s dental assist- celebration in 2014. ing and dental hygiene students. Since 1998, Masiarczyk has been the College’s vendor for dental equipment and supplies. While she’s always gone out of her way to support the dental For more programs, two years ago, she joined the information about www.palmbeachstate.edu/BPC advisory council and has recently accept- Once a dental assistant herself, Business Partners www.palmbeachstate.edu/Programs ed the chairperson role. Masiarczyk brings her well-informed 561-868-3885 “It’s a real eye-opener for me to see, not perspective to every council meeting, only the standards that are set by the reporting recently that “it’s amazing how College, but how high those standards digitized the dental business is becom- are set,” says Masiarczyk. “The dental ing.” That’s the kind of feedback every programs are by far the best programs program needs. out there.” Of course, she tells potential students, as well as dentists looking to hire, to contact Palm Beach State. PALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE 9 154569-PBSC.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:35 AM Page 10
GOING FOR THE Presidential Honors College Scholarship attracts county’s top students
GOLD B Y T ABATHA B. MC D ONALD
anuela Ceballos graduated from a career in accounting. “I pretty much had my For the Honors Gold, P Seminole Ridge Community High mind made up that I would stay home for the students are required to School last year with acceptance let- first two years. The scholarship was part of it. complete 21 credit H ters from the University of Florida, Definitely being able to graduate with honors hours of honors work, Florida State University, Florida and put that on my résumé looks great. I like earn at least a B in each MAtlantic University, the University of Central taking harder classes.” honors class and earn Florida and Palm Beach State College. But with “I didn’t have to pay anything at all. It’s great at least 40 honors a Presidential Honors College Scholarship to because I’m in the Honors College,’’ said Hailey points, which they gain PBSC, she says her decision was easy. Lord, who along with her twin sister, by participating in commu- “I basically didn’t have to pay anything, Hannah, graduated from Wellington nity service and cultural events, and I still had money left over,’’ High School and earned the schol- as well as honors, leadership, scholarly and said Ceballos, an aspiring neuro- arship. Like their parents, they employment activities. surgeon who also received “The PBSC scholarship plan to open their own martial “They’re very proud to be part of the Honors a Bright Futures Florida Medal- just put the icing on the arts studio. College, but more importantly because of that lion Scholars award that covers cake. It’s the best thing As college costs rise and they have been able to go out and market them- 75 percent of her tuition. “The that ever happened.” requirements and competition selves and use their academic résumé not only to PBSC scholarship just put the stiffen for Bright Futures, the get into Florida schools but also into dream icing on the cake. It’s the best Manuela Ceballos state’s lottery-funded scholar- schools that they thought weren’t possible like thing that ever happened. I don’t ship, and other scholarships, Cornell or Columbia,” Montesinos said. “It’s want to come out of school with a some students choose to stay closer something additional that they can add to their bunch of debt.” to home and pocket the savings to academic record that might help them get addi- In a strategic move to attract some of Palm use later for their upper division course- tional scholarships. Even if they don’t have the Beach County’s top students, PBSC has upped work or graduate school. Presidential Honors College Scholarship, I’ve met enough students where just the ante for its top scholarship, offering high Ceballos, whose goal is to earn a achieving students like Ceballos a full ride in being in the Honors College has bachelor’s degree in nursing and helped them.” exchange for their commitment to maintain a work in the field before pursuing CAREER ASPIRATIONS 3.5 grade point average and pursue the Gold medical school to become a “I am very impressed by Christopher Ferguson, an Track – the most rigorous track in the Dr. Floyd neurosurgeon, said finances all of the professors who Atlantic High School graduate F. Koch Honors College. were a key factor in her decision. and aspiring civil engineer, said Fourteen students, including a set of identical Because she already anticipates really keep you engaged in the “free education” with the Presidential Honors College twins, accepted the Presidential Honors College that she will need to get loans the classroom.” Craig Kerce Scholarship for the 2014-2015 academic year. At for medical school, she said she Scholarship influenced his deci- $4,000 per academic year, it is the highest indi- wants to avoid loan debt as much sion. He also received acceptance vidual scholarship awarded by PBSC, and it is as possible now. She said she also real- letters from Florida A&M University granted on top of a Bright Futures Scholarship ized that she’d be taking the same classes and the University of North Florida. “I and other financial aid students may receive. Until at PBSC that she would for the first two years at don’t have to worry about room and board, tuition 2013, the scholarship covered just tuition instead a university, and her parents encouraged her to and all of the other expenses that come with col- of tuition and books, and it was not directly tied stay focused on her ultimate goal. “They said lege.” He said the opportunity to study in the to the Honors College. ‘your goal is medical school, so however you reach Honors College also helped his decision. “I love your goal doesn’t matter as long as you reach it,’” that it’s less than 15 students in each class, so it’s All of the recipients said they were drawn by the a lot easier to learn.” Presidential Honors College Scholarship because Ceballos said. it allows them to stay close to home for the first Marcella Montesinos, Honors College manager, Craig Kerce agreed. “I am very impressed by all two years of their bachelor’s degree, save money said the Honors College, particularly the Gold of the professors who really keep you engaged in on housing and other expenses, and enjoy a chal- Track, prepares students for the rigors that they the classroom,’’ said Kerce, a Forest Hill High lenging learning environment with smaller class will face at universities throughout the state and School graduate who plans to pursue a career as sizes. nation, including Ivy League schools where some a computer programmer. “They make you think outside the box.” “It was a good idea for me to stay local and not of the PBSC Honors College graduates have trans- go somewhere else,’’ said Mark Sinclair, a Welling- ferred. ton High School graduate who plans to pursue Video: Martial arts studio in sight for Honors College twins www.palmbeachstate.edu/Contact
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Mark Sinclair
Manuela Ceballos PRESIDENTIAL HONORS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Megan Burke G-Star School of Arts Undecided
Manuela Ceballos Seminole Ridge RN and Neurosurgeon
Christopher Ferguson Atlantic Civil Engineer “I love that it’s
Henesy Fernandez less than 15 John I. Leonard Undecided students in
Sydney Hetzel each class, so Royal Palm Beach Undecided it’s a lot easier Craig Kerce Forest Hill to learn.” IT / Programmer Christopher Ferguson
Hailey Lord CAREER ASPIRATIONS Wellington Entrepreneur
Hannah Lord Wellington Entrepreneur
Olivia Lowrey Homeschooled Undecided
Alejandro Martinez South Tech Academy Undecided
Megan McCarthy Seminole Ridge Nurse Practitioner
Jash Patel Santaluces Aerospace Engineer Christopher Ferguson Mark Sinclair Wellington Accountant
Oraya Vachirachaiyakarn Jupiter Engineer PALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE 11 154569-PBSC.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:36 AM Page 12 Heart’sDesire Career transformations at Palm Beach State
B Y J OYCE E DELSTEIN
hile caring for his father-in-law stricken with Alzheimer’s disease, David Kindred took his first-ever college classes at Palm Beach State. After 20 years in the electrical trade, Kindred had suffered a severe work injury, lost his business and was now getting back Won his feet – pointed in a different direction. Changing careers is the new normal, and many turn to Palm Beach State College as a place to begin again. Some, like Kindred, are compelled by difficult life experiences. Others are leaving behind careers damaged by the Great Recession, and still others simply seek more satisfying work. But no matter what the catalyst, the real journey takes place within, whether it’s the realization of a childhood dream, the discovery of one’s true calling, or the desire to make a difference. Meet some of the people transforming their careers at PBSC. A light bulb turns on From Wall Street to surgical suite For Kindred, 50, the “aha moment” came The lure of Wall Street held strong for 19 years, during his Strategies for College Success class. during which Sharon Peretz worked as a financial “It was one of those epiphanies. We were going analyst on the floor of the New York Stock through a career exercise and I discovered, ‘wow, Exchange. She juggled time at home raising three I’m really good at something. I have a natural children, then her husband’s relocations and other affinity for caregiving.’” He’s now in the second finance jobs, until finally, after her divorce, she year of the College’s Nursing Associate in made a promise to herself. “I decided that for the Science degree program. rest of my life, I was only going to do things that “Electrical work fell in my lap, and I just kind I was passionate about.” She graduated from Palm of went with it,” he explained. “I never really Beach State’s Surgical Technology program in May gave much thought to what a career is for – to 2014, passed her certification exam, and now works develop all aspects of your life, including your at Delray Medical Center, assisting in emergency own self-esteem and your self-worth. I’m really surgeries. finding myself, my initiative and my passion Peretz stayed true to her promise and followed some and motivation to go forward, to go after some- unusual paths, including three years as the house thing as opposed to being a reactionary.” mother for the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the Uni- Kindred took care of his father-in-law at home versity of Florida, her alma mater. A great gig for for almost three years, completing his prereq- a diehard Gators fan, Peretz, 55, also decided to uisites at night, while his wife worked during take classes and considered counseling, given that the day. At times he experienced “a level of she enjoyed a comparable role as “Mom Shar” to stress that I never knew existed,” but he knew hundreds of young men. Instead she discovered he was doing the right thing. Extremely happy surgical technology in an online search. “It was like with his choice, he now sees a bright future. a cherry bomb went off. I’ve always been interested “‘Better late than never’ keeps going through in the sciences. I graduated high school at 16 in a my head. To think all of this could have passed very rural area of Mississippi. My parents wanted me by.” me to be a bookkeeper…which is the reason I got into the whole Wall Street thing.” Peretz is thrilled with her new career. “I assisted in a craniotomy this morning with two surgeons – the patient had subdural hematomas on both sides of the brain – and this afternoon we had an emer- gency ectopic pregnancy. I’m overwhelmed. I am intimidated. I’m excited. I am learning so much. I made a Facebook post after one of my first days. I said to everyone I know, ‘How many things did you do today that you did for the very first time?’ I lost count after 9 o’clock in the morning.” continued on page 14
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What is your advice for others considering David Kindred a career change ? “Listen to yourself when you are trying to figure out what to do with your life. You have to trust your instincts.”
Jo Ann DeCanto “Do it. It’s not as difficult as it seems.”
Sharon Peretz “Don’t wait. In five years, do you “Tell people that they don’t want to say ‘I wish I had changed have to be unhappy or careers’ or do you want to say unfulfilled. And by the ‘thank God I changed careers’? way, if you try something Five years from now you’re and it doesn’t work, the going to be five years older worst that happens is that no matter what.” you try something else.” Matthew Cleary
Annette Sanjurjo Lizardo
“I would encourage them to make that change. Go for it and get your feet wet.”
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Sharon Peretz
continued from page 12 Still multitasking, Cleary is earning “I didn’t know if I’d even associate degree. A The science of reinvention an online bachelor’s degree at the former computer When Matthew Cleary was a little kid, he wanted University of Florida and plans to be able to keep up and programmer, she has to be a scientist. Unfortunately, tough teenage years go on to graduate school. “It was do the work, but found an A.A.S. degree in got in the way. “I ended up where people end up, definitely lucky for me that the Palm that field from Bergen in restaurants and construction.” Beach State program was there. There that I loved it.” Community College in are not a lot of places where you can say Jo Ann DeCanto New Jersey. Construction stuck. Cleary, 35, proved to be a good ‘I want to get a two-year degree and get a carpenter, and after a few years, he became a super- DeCanto knows her deceased job that supports my family immediately.’ son would be proud of her. “Edu- visor. A promotion to project manager followed, That’s exactly what happened to me.” and he thought he would do construction for the cation was very important to him. He rest of his life. Then the housing market crashed. A pathway to healing actually was a computer engineering Ph.D. With a wife and newborn baby, he worried about In the three years since her son died suddenly, Jo candidate at FAU. He had emailed his dissertation the stability of the field even if he did return. “I Ann DeCanto had been a regular participant in to his professor the night before he died. I crossed look back on it now, thankful that I got laid off.” The Compassionate Friends support group, but the stage and received his Ph.D. for him…. I found that doing this [program] has helped me heal on He decided to go to college. At first Cleary was then she wanted something more. “I needed to find some meaning and purpose in my life and to make this journey. It helps me as much as I’m hoping to unsure what to go for, but then he thought about help other people.” what he wanted to be as a child. “I thought, ‘hey, meaning out of my son’s life.” if I’m getting a second chance to do something She had heard over and over again from bereaved Rewards of another kind different, I’m going to do something I really want parents in the group that what they wanted in a Practicing law may carry more prestige, and indeed, to do.” therapist was someone who could really feel their pay more, but those considerations didn’t stop Cleary chose Palm Beach State’s Biotechnology A.S. pain. “We all came to feel that if you haven’t lost Annette Sanjurjo Lizardo from making a career degree program as his route a child, you just couldn’t imagine what we’re going change to teaching. to a science career. He did through,” says DeCanto. Her journey has brought Lizardo full circle. Born “...if I’m getting a second well from the start, which As it happened, her younger son was attending and raised in West Palm Beach, she is now teaching surprised him, especially Palm Beach State. She decided to look into going at The King’s Academy, where she spent all of her chance to do something since he had to wait herself and found the Human Services program. K-12 years. From King’s she went to the University different, I’m going to tables at night to earn The fact that credits from the Human Services A.S. of Miami for her bachelor’s degree, then to New do something I really money, fit in parenting degree transfer into Florida Atlantic University’s York University for a master’s in performing arts chores and sometimes do School of Social Work appealed to DeCanto. “I administration. The law classes in the program want to do.” homework till two in the could become a licensed clinical social worker and motivated her to get a J.D. from Fordham morning. By the time he be able to offer professional therapy to parents who University. Matthew Cleary graduated in 2013, his college have lost children.” Life fell into place. Lizardo and her husband left internship had turned into a job. DeCanto, 57, kept her marketing job with a dental New York for Miami, where she practiced law for He is now an assistant scientist in the practice for the first few months in the program. 10 years. Their search for better schools for their product development lab at Jupiter- “Having been out of school for almost 30 years, I three children brought them back to Palm Beach based Somahlution, a life science company that didn’t know if I’d even be able to keep up and do County in 2010. Of particular concern was their focuses on improving outcomes in organ transplan- the work, but found that I loved it.” She graduates middle son, who has autism. tation and other life-saving procedures. after the 2015 spring term. It will be her second
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Teaching special needs students... “That’s where my heart is. That’s the child I’m interested in reaching.” Annette Sanjurjo Lizardo
Annette Sanjurjo Lizardo
“I thought of pursuing teaching my last year of practicing law. Because of having my own children...just seeing what it takes to help them succeed gave me a new appreciation for education and learning.” When a part-time job opened up at her older son’s new school, she made the leap. Substitute teaching came next, followed by a full-time job teaching middle and high school English at King’s. Lizardo, 44, has a temporary teaching certificate and is enrolled in Palm Beach State’s Teacher Certification Program to prepare for the required professional certificate. The program is designed specifically for people with bachelor’s degrees in other fields who want to become Florida educators. “It’s been an asset that I have done something else and can give [students] real life examples that show what they’re learning matters. Teaching is something you can be proud of…you know that you’re making a difference in the everyday lives of students.” After Lizardo completes the program this spring, she wants to get the state’s Exceptional Student Education endorsement, allowing her to teach spe- cial needs students. “That’s where my heart is. That’s the child I’m interested in reaching.” Apparently the change has done her good. “My Matthew Cleary husband, who knows me for 20 years, told me ‘I’ve never seen you happier.’” Yes, change can be good.
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faculty spotlight
Mike Sfiropoulos Professor II M.A. Linguistics, Florida Atlantic University B.A. Spanish and B.A. Linguistics, FAU A.A., Palm Beach Community College
Christopher Schmersahl Associate Professor M.A. English, University of Missouri-St. Louis B.A. English and Philosophy, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
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STEWART DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD
Professors honored for creative use of technology to teach English
B Y T ABATHA B. M C D ONALD
When Professor Mike Sfiropoulos pauses in more,’’ Schmersahl said. “The more ways you his classes to show short clips of popular TV have students engaged in a set of concepts, shows, students watch attentively. Some laugh the more ways their retention of knowledge out loud. and understanding of core ideas will be Despite the laughter, they aren’t watching for increased.” fun. They are listening for mistakes in subject Sfiropoulos and Schmersahl both say that and verb agreement, pronoun agreement and with today’s students, many of whom grew other English concepts and rules. up with the Internet, it’s important to include “I’m actually making my students think crit- technology in the class. ically about what they are experiencing as “This speaks to the generation of students they’re watching TV, so if they hear a concept that we have,’’ Schmersahl said. “They have like ‘me and my friend went to the mall,’ constant access to that visual medium so they they’re going to say ‘hold on I learned that relate to it.” concept in class, and it should be my friend “The younger generations are very into tech- and I,’” Sfiropoulos said. “It’s more of a nology; everyone is walking around with creative way to teach the same material.” smartphones and iPads. With YouTube and Sfiropoulos, who teaches developmental Hulu and all of these other easily accessible English at the Lake Worth campus, is among forms of electronic media, students are really two professors who received Palm Beach immersed these days in technology,’’ State’s 2014 Stewart Distinguished Teaching Sfiropoulos said. Award for innovative work to engage students Sfiropoulos says he watches shows on TV, in the classroom. The annual award comes and when he hears a grammar issue that he with a $5,000 prize and is open to all of can use as a teachable moment for his PBSC’s 329 full-time faculty and instructors. students, he records the clips on a DVR, burns Christopher Schmersahl, an English professor them onto a DVD, edits them on his com- at the Belle Glade campus, also received the puter and imbeds them into PowerPoint pre- Stewart award for using videos created in class sentations. to teach students how to identify and use “It’s time-consuming, but it’s very effective,’’ visual literary devices and the pathos, logos Sfiropoulos said. “Just teaching out of a book and ethos appeals in their work. For the is the traditional way, and students tend to assignment, students work in groups to create respond in a certain way to that. Teaching a television advertisement for a fictional prod- with technology gives a chance to touch on uct or service. The ad must contain all of the other learning styles because some students types of appeals and at least two visual literary are more visual than others. They react better devices such as hyperbole (an exaggeration) and are more engaged when they hear things or metaphor. and see them happening at the same time.” Schmersahl records the students as they pres- A 10-member committee of faculty and ent their ads, and he edits them in Windows administrators selected the winners for the Movie Maker. He shows the videos to the award following a self-nomination process. class, and the students together identify and Schmersahl and Sfiropoulos are among 16 explain the types of appeals and literary professors to receive the award since it began devices used. They also individually write a in 2006 with a grant from the Douglas and response essay, summarizing and explaining Virginia Stewart Foundation. the features and their role in creating the proj- ect. “They’re having such a good time with Schmersahl joined the PBSC faculty in 2013. it that many don’t even realize they’re Prior to then, he worked as an adjunct pro- mastering sophisticated concepts until later,” fessor at various colleges in St. Louis. he said. Sfiropoulos has taught at PBSC for 10 years. Before that, he taught at Broward College for is “Student engagement is very important, so three years. I’m always trying to find ways to engage them
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FYI | P ALM B E ACH S TATE
Palm Beach State’s Public Safety Training Center on the Lake Worth campus earned LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2014. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environ- mental Design, is a certification program that recognizes best-in-class green building practices; gold is the second highest certification. The center employs several winning strategies, including energy efficient lighting, super-insulated walls, roofs and windows, low-flow water fixtures, materials with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and use of LEED Gold Public Safety Training Center regional and recycled materials. The CERTIFICATION result reduces greenhouse gas emissions, preserves natural resources, creates a healthier environment and saves significantly on operating costs.
Collaboration paves way to computer careers ollaboration makes sense, With the grant, FAU, BC and PBSC More than 400 students will be especially when everyone created the Computer Accelerated drawn into the pipeline from the Chas the same aim: Increase Pipeline to Unlock Regional three institutions’ existing student the number of well-qualified Excellence (CAPTURE) program. bodies, as well as local companies Broward College Florida & Palm Beach Atlantic computer professionals in South Beginning last fall, the program and high schools. The program will State College University Florida. provides an innovative 2+2 keep students on track through a Last year, the Florida Board of curriculum that gives students a system of shared advising and Governors awarded Florida Atlantic seamless path from their initial personalized “flight plans” designed University, Broward College and enrollment at Palm Beach State or to help them graduate and land a CAPTUREPROGRAM Palm Beach State College a $3.5- Broward to graduation with a high-tech job. million state grant to create an bachelor’s degree from FAU’s College The TEAm grant awards follow of Engineering and Computer Elected Business accelerated pipeline for students more than 18 months of work by Leaders Community pursuing computer science and Science. the Commission on Florida Higher computer engineering degrees. The “The program stresses breadth, Education Access and Degree FAU/BC/PBSC partnership was depth and flexibility,” said Palm Attainment, a coalition of developed in response to the Board Beach State College President Dennis education, business and legislative of Governors’ Targeted Educational Gallon. “Although all students will be leaders that identified the largest Attainment (TEAm) grant program, required to satisfy core requirements, gaps between bachelor’s degree part of an ambitious effort to align they will have the ability to choose production and job needs. university and college degrees with tracks and electives in accordance the state’s future workforce needs. with their needs and interests.” Learn more: www.palmbeachstate.edu/CAPTUREprogram
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New programs meet new demands Palm Beach State College has its ear to the ground. Listening to industry, researching trends and collecting student input are For more program information: some of the ways that the College identifies programs needed for www.palmbeachstate.edu/Programs emerging workforce demands. Recent additions to the College’s array of career programs include:
Homeland Security Specialist, a Digital Animation and Recording Facilities Maintenance, a Security and Automation Systems College Credit Certificate program Arts, two new programs expanding the Postsecondary Adult Vocational Technician, a PSAV certificate program focused on intelligence analysis, security scope of the Motion Picture Production Certificate program addressing the need recommended by a local security management, and transportation and Technology A.S. degree. The Digital for building maintenance and repair contractor struggling to meet the border security. Fifteen employees of the Animation program prepares students for workers. The U.S. Department of Labor growing demand for smart technologies Transportation Security Administration entry-level positions in video game predicts more than 125,000 new jobs in that control building access and electrical based at Palm Beach International design and the television and film this field will be created by 2022. consumption. His company had openings Airport graduated from the new program industries. The Recording Arts program However, with the increasing complexity for 20 technicians but few qualified in 2014. Credits earned will transfer into teaches the latest technology that allows of building operations, it’s not enough to applicants. In the program, students the Emergency Management Associate musicians to mix tracks and create be a Jack- or Jill-of-all-trades. Instead, learn how to install and repair the in Science degree. recordings digitally. Both programs are those with specialized training will have systems that keep homes and businesses offered as concentrations in the A.S. the competitive edge. secure and energy efficient. degree program or as individual College Credit Certificates.
Visit the News Center alm Beach State College continues to have the www.palmbeachstate.edu/News lowest tuition in Florida th P Find out the latest College news here, subscribe among public four-year colleges 6 Lowest and universities, and it now has the online for updates and share the news! sixth lowest in the nation, according tuition to the latest data from the U.S. Palm Beach State is here, too! Department of Education College Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Affordability and Transparency Flickr, YouTube and Instagram to Center. Based on 2012-2013 data, keep in touch and give us feedback. PBSC’s yearly tuition for a full-time #PBSC, #PBSCnews student was $2,324, while the national average for public four- year colleges and universities was $7,407. PBSC previously was ranked For more College Fast Facts: as having the seventh lowest tuition www.palmbeachstate.edu/FastFacts in the nation.
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SPORTS | P ALM B E ACH S TATE
SukaSuka B Y K RISTI S ORROW It was no surprise that Soclaina van Gurp, or “Suka” as her “ teammates call her, excelled in her first year on the Palm Beach State College softball team. A year earlier, she was k named Most Valuable Player as a senior at Trinity Christian d Academy in Lake Worth. That honor would be the first of several she’s garnered since j moving from her hometown of Willemstad, Curaçao, in 2012 to play softball in the United States. In early 2014, she was named to the Florida College System Activities Association’s First Team All-Southern Conference for her success in the shortstop position and was named the Softball shortstop claims Southern Conference Player of the Year. She was also named to the First Team All State. These honors earned her a spot on the National Junior College All American status Athletic Association’s All American Second Team. Van Gurp, now a sophomore, is the College’s first softball All American in more than a decade and is the first in Martha McCall’s seven NJCAA RANKING years as head coach. The NJCAA also ranked her as the 29th 29th leading leading hitter in the country (.460 batting average), hitter in the country contributing 10 home runs, 41 runs batted in, 14 doubles and 2014 STATS an incredible .853 slugging percentage. Batting .460 “It’s been a privilege coaching Suka,” said McCall. “Not only HomeRuns 10 does she have incredible talent, but her passion and dedication for the game has made her a great team player and RBI 41 leader on the field.” Doubles 14 Growing up in an athletic family, van Gurp started playing Slugging .853 baseball at age 5 and softball at age 11. Her father, Raymond, or “Mompie” as he is called, is the manager of the Santa Maria Watch an interview with Suka: Pirates in Curaçao, and her brother, Ray, was a professional www.palmbeachstate.edu/Contact minor league baseball player with the New York Mets organization. After she completes her sophomore year, van Gurp plans to transfer to the University of North Florida to continue playing softball and to study sports management.
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Watch it LIVE! in Lake Worth SPRING2015 Yolanda Griffith joins elite ranks Home Games of basketball immortality B Y K RISTI S ORROW Former Palm Beach State College basketball powerhouse and Olympic gold medalist Yolanda Griffith has sealed her legacy as one of the greatest in the sport with her recent induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. Griffith, who is now an assistant coach at University of Massachusetts, was among six women inducted in June 2014. The others were Lin Dunn (coach), Michelle Edwards Go Panthers (player), Mimi Griffin (contributor), Jasmina MEN’S BASKETBALL JAN 7 BROWARD Perazic (player) and Charlotte West JAN 24 MIAMI DADE (contributor). JAN 26 EASTERN FLORIDA STATE JAN 28 INDIAN RIVER STATE “Nothing beats playing, but FEB 7 BROWARD FEB 21 MIAMI DADE knowing I am helping to WOMEN’S BASKETBALL develop tomorrow’s leaders JAN 7 INDIAN RIVER CLASS OF 2014 JAN 10 ST. PETERSBURG just about equals that joy. JAN 17 EASTERN FLORIDA STATE ” INDUCTEE JAN 24 BROWARD During her two seasons at PBSC, then Palm Beach JAN 27 MIAMI DADE The superstar affectionately known as “Yo” brought 10 Community College, Griffith earned All-America honors, FEB 10 INDIAN RIVER STATE family members to the ceremony, including her daughters leading the Lady Panthers to back-to-back state FEB 14 ST. PETERSBURG Alicia and Candace. Also in attendance were Gloria Smith, FEB 24 EASTERN FLORIDA STATE championships in 1989-90 and 90-91 and to the seventh Griffith’s high school coach from George Washington and third spot, respectively, in the nation. A two-time first Carver Military Academy (formerly known as George WOMEN’S SOFTBALL team All-State and two-time All-Region for the Florida Washington Carver Area High School) in Chicago and College System Activities Association (formerly the Florida Maura McHugh, her mentor and coach with the Community College Activities Association), she averaged Sacramento Monarchs. 26.7 points, 19.7 rebounds and 6.2 steals during her last During the ceremony, she basked in the crowning year at PBCC. achievement that she never saw coming. After PBCC, she transferred to Florida Atlantic University “Never ever in my wildest dreams did I see my journey where she played from 1992-93. Griffith holds the FAU leading me to the doorsteps of the Women’s Basketball single season record for points scored (621), scoring Hall of Fame,” said Griffith in an emotional speech. “I am average (28.2), field goal percentage (.631), rebounds Watch Suka Play! honored and truly excited to be here.” (352), and rebounding average (16.0), despite playing in Griffith went on to credit basketball as her saving grace just 22 games. FEB 24 SOUTH FLORIDA STATE through her childhood and teenage years. Among her post collegiate career highlights, she played MAR 1 POLK STATE MAR 3 SCF @ MANATEE “I owe a lot to the game of basketball. It helped me in so 11 years in the Women’s National Basketball Association, MAR 6 HILLSBOROUGH many ways. As a young girl, I struggled with my height, I leading the Sacramento Monarchs to a win in the 2005 MAR 9 KISHWAUKEE (IL) WNBA Championship, where she was named Finals M V P. was teased about it. But basketball gave me my MAR 10 EASTERN FLORIDA STATE Griffith led the Monarchs to back-to-back WNBA Finals confidence. When I lost my mother at the age of 15, MAR 14 INDIAN RIVER STATE basketball became everything, my escape, my therapy.” appearances in 2005 and 2006. She also won Olympic MAR 28 BROWARD gold medals in 2000 and 2004 as a member of the U.S. Even though Griffith’s playing days are behind her, she APR 2 PASCO HERNANDO women’s basketball team. can be seen on the sidelines at UMass, where she lends APR 8 MIAMI DADE her expertise to current up-and-comers in the sport. See all the Panthers sports schedules: “Nothing beats playing,” said Griffith. “But knowing I Follow Yolanda Griffith on Twitter: am helping to develop tomorrow’s leaders just about www.twitter.com/Yo_Yo33 www.palmbeachstate.edu/Athletics equals that joy.”
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FOUNDATION Cosmos host to kick off third year of STEAM initiative
hen astrophysicist Neil deGrasse host of the “StarTalk” radio show and WTyson – perhaps the world’s makes regular appearances as favorite science guru – reached the “nation’s expert on space” on 1 million followers on Twitter in major news programs and popular early 2013, he commemorated the TV talk shows. occasion with a special tweet to On Feb. 5, Palm Beach State College his newest follower. will welcome him at the Kravis Center “Welcome @halfsail as my millionth for Performing Arts as the next Twitter follower. FYI: I tweet mostly nationally recognized speaker in the random, occasionally coherent, College Foundation’s STEAM (Science, cosmic brain droppings.” Technology, Engineering, the Arts Since then, Tyson has garnered and Math) initiative. Past speakers another million followers – 2.75 to be included Silicon Valley icon Steve exact, and has attained more than 1.8 Wozniak and two-time Oscar million likes on his Facebook page. nominee John Lithgow. Proceeds And, the numbers keep growing. support STEAM educational programs. His engaging and charismatic personality, thought-provoking At the event, Tyson – fondly referred tweets and an ability to expound on to as the “Master of the Universe”– complex and arcane topics with will explain why the “Sky is NOT the clarity (and often hilarity) have Limit” and describe opportunities to birthed a kind of Tyson cult following engage in science all around us, all hanging on to his every word. the time. He can be found everywhere these “Neil is one of the most sought after days. He is the director of the Hayden speakers in the science world today,” Planetarium in New York City and said Suellen Mann, executive director host of “Cosmos: A Spacetime of the Foundation. “We are thrilled Odyssey,” a continuation of the late to have him join us in our efforts to Carl Sagan’s classic PBS documentary promote STEM education and can’t miniseries exploring the infinite wait to see how he’ll inspire us in reaches of space and time. He is also February.”
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Follow him on Twitter Instead of waiting around to watch Tyson on TV, follow him right now on Twitter, where’s he’s blowing people’s minds ALL THE TIME! Check out a NEIL sampling of his tweets. deGrasse @ neiltyson TYSON MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE Sky is NOT the Limit THURSDAY TICKETS! FEBRUARY 5, 2015 At Contact press time, there were a limited 11:30AM LUNCHEON number of tickets remaining for this event. To check availability, please contact the Palm Beach State College Foundation Office: KRAVIS CENTER 561-868-3450 | www.palmbeachstate.edu/Foundation/STEAM FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Hurry, act now! Help create more scholarships for future scientists. C O H E N PAVILION GOALS for STEAM INITIATIVE Funding1,000 new Developing 50 academic student scholarships program enhancements
Providing 50 new internship opportunities
Opening doors for women and minorities in the STEAM professions
Building100 new business partnerships
www.palmbeachstate.edu/Foundation To learn more about endowed scholarships, planned giving or other ways to contribute, please send an email to [email protected] or call the Foundation office at 561-868-3450.
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ake Worth’s Arnoldi Anthony “Tony” Cruz says baseball has been his whole life since he first Panther baseball great Lbegan playing 23 years ago at age 5. Just eight years ago he was playing baseball for then Palm Beach Community College, where he was a First- Team All-Conference Player. From there, his boyhood dream came true, when he was drafted by the St. Louis to Cardinals organization. After four years of hard work ‘Cruz-es’ at the minor league level, he was called up to join the Cardinals roster in 2011. As a catcher for St. Louis, Cruz has been with the team as it won the World Series in 2011, the National League major league championship in 2013 and the National League Central Division Championship in 2014. He says it’s a life for which PBCC helped prepare him. “I was honored and blessed to have the opportunity to go to school at Palm Beach. The guys I had around me were a big help,” says Cruz. The former Santaluces High School standout had been successB Y K ELLY M ERRITT drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 42nd round of the 2005 June free-agent draft, but he did not sign.
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Instead, he came to PBCC to play for Alex “It is a job and you still have to show up every Mozeliak is familiar with Morales, who was the College’s head baseball day and do your job,” says Cruz of playing for the dreams of players like coach from 2006 to 2010. Morales had been a a team that won the World Series in 2011, his Tony Cruz – young scout for the Atlanta Braves before his coaching first year in the majors, and advanced to the people trying to find years, and he is now scouting for the Washington World Series again in 2013, when the Cards fell success, not just Nationals. Cruz credits Morales with paving his to the Boston Red Sox. “There are guys that have in baseball way to the Major Leagues by encouraging him, played this game for 13 or 14 years and not won but in developing his skills and putting in a good word a World Series, so I felt blessed having gotten life. for him. “If not for him, I may not have had the there my first year.” chance to have a professional career.” John “Mo” Mozeliak, the Cardinals senior vice His memories of college baseball are filled with president and general manager, “I was honored and blessed to images of hard-fought games, long bus rides and says Cruz hasn’t gotten to brief hotel stays. He played the infield for the start regularly because he have the opportunity to go Panthers, and current PBSC Head Coach Kyle is playing behind the to school at Palm Beach. Forbes was an assistant coach at the time. Forbes best catcher in the remembers Cruz and the star quality the player league. But with The guys I had around had, even back in school. Cruz’s work “He was a great player for us on the team in ethic, it’s a win- me were a big help.” 2007, playing third base and a little second base. win situation He was a tremendous talent with an excellent for Cruz and attitude, just a very good, humble player who the Cardinals. just played hard every day,” says Forbes. “It is so “Tony has a difficult for kids just to play college ball – the great work He says it is odds of someone making it to the big leagues ethic and that the ones who like Tony has are just astronomical, but he has ultimately has stay focused and that combination of great talent and a huge allowed him to disciplined who are heart.” grow. And, the more likely to go places. good thing for Tony According to Forbes, Cruz comes back to visit “I look at someone like Tony who and work with current players and is helpful to is he has the best mentor in the game as far got an opportunity and didn’t waste them. He says Cruz has not changed one bit from it. He did the little things right and when the days when he wore a Panthers uniform. as catching goes,” says Mozeliak. “We signed him out of Palm Beach State College you do that you tend to move up,” Mozeliak “One year he came back and we had some other and are optimizing his success behind the plate.” says. “We are proud of what he has done for us, former players hitting in the cage. I asked, ‘Tony and because we train in Jupiter, Florida, we have want to take some swings?’ And he said, ‘No, Looking at Cruz’s progression from the minor that connection and look at him as kind of a but I’ll throw some for you,’” recalls Forbes. leagues, Mozeliak heralds the shy catcher’s defen- home-grown player.” sive skill set and his ability to bring offense to Sweet taste of success the table. “He is a security blanket for us, and To young people dreaming of the big time, As backup to the Cardinals’ principal catcher at this level this is critical. We are a very com- whether that’s baseball or another career, Cruz has Yadier Molina, Cruz played in more than 50 petitive club, and our expectations are very high,” an inspirational message. games in 2014, participating in pitch sequencing says Mozeliak of Cruz’ confidence to step in when “To be in the big leagues is a dream come true, and working with Molina to develop game plans Molina was injured during the season. “Anyone something you always dream of as a little kid and together. on a major league roster is important it is a lot of hard work,” says Cruz. “I’m happy to the team, but a backup catcher is with my journey and feel privileged to be here. very important because you have to But it’s one thing to get here and another thing jump in when needed.” to stay here. It just takes hard work.” Tony Cruz career stats: stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com
Alumni Former Panthers Coach Alex Morales, left, talks strategy with Tony Cruz Corner in 2007.
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Palm Beach State College NONPROFIT ORG. College Relations and Marketing U.S. POSTAGE 4200 Congress Avenue PAID Lake Worth, FL 33461-4796 WEST PALM BEACH, FL PERMIT NO. 1388 ONTACT C Success
Palm Beach State College salutes these alumni and takes pride in their success stories. If you are a graduate, we would love to share your accomplishments. . Please contact us at Charles C Gableman Julie Swindler Ryan Hynd A.S., A.A., PALM BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, A.A., PALM BEACH JUNIOR COLLEGE, 1977 A.A., PALM BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 2001 [email protected] 1989 & 1990 B.S.W., FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY B.S., M.SC., GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY B.S., FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY M.S.W., BARRY UNIVERSITY PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA–BERKELEY
ngineering was the clear career choice aking a lasting difference in a child’s artial differential equations, stochastic NEWS CENTER palmbeachstate.edu/News for Chuck Gableman as a young college life requires a whole-family focus. That optimal control and calculus of variations Estudent with an aptitude for math and Mis the simple but powerful premise of Pare some of the primary interests of Dr. problem-solving. At PBCC he juggled Families First, a nonprofit agency led for 22 Ryan Hynd, assistant professor of math- challenging calculus and physics courses years by chief executive officer Julie Swindler. ematics at the University of Pennsylvania. with a side job in the mail room of a local Stay Connected | Share “We believe everyone really wants to do the His research publications and tenure-track engineering firm. Now, after more than 22 best by their families, but people only know post at an Ivy League institution are years as an engineer, Gableman is president how to parent the way that they were impressive, especially when he notes that ELLE LADE of JLRD, Inc., a leader in the design of B G parented. We help them see a different way just 14 years ago, he was a PBCC student 1977 COLLEGE DRIVE mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire to parent, focusing on their strengths, to seeking math tutoring help. protection systems for buildings. BOCA RATON change behaviors so that cycles of abuse and “I was not always a math person. PBCC 3000 SAINT LUCIE AVENUE JLRD collaborates with architectural clients to neglect can be stopped,” she said. The Palm was where I really became a student, and provide sustainable design and ensure that Beach County organization is known for I discovered that I liked math. Today, I’m still LAKE WORTH integrated engineered systems enhance the 4200 CONGRESS AVENUE working collaboratively with other agencies drawing on the basics that I got at PBCC,” form, function and aesthetics of the building. to address wraparound concerns such as he said. ALM EACH ARDENS The firm has been involved in educational P B G housing and job training to help families Hynd’s former tutor, Jermaine Gordon, is now 3160 PGA BOULEVARD facility projects totaling over a billion dollars, become self-sufficient. a Palm Beach State math professor. Hynd says including Galaxy Elementary School in Swindler said that volunteer and missionary Gordon and former physics professors Richard 561-967-7222 Boynton Beach, FAU’s Innovation Village and stints as a youth inspired her to study human Fleisher and John Berryman helped him get www.PalmBeachState.edu Palm Beach State College’s new campus services at PBJC and set her sights on a serious and focused on his studies, something construction in Loxahatchee Groves. service career. “Every class that I took really he remembers as he teaches and mentors his Gableman credits PBCC with giving him a confirmed my desire to work in this system own students at Penn. “I hope today’s solid foundation in “the language of and to understand the family dynamic. It students can have experiences like I did. PBCC ©2014 Palm Beach State College. engineering” – mathematics. “I attribute my was a very positive experience.” was a special place for me, a stepping stone All rights reserved. All other trade- success to the quality of education I received for life, and I had a great experience there.” marks are the property of their from my professors there,” he said.
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