A Publication of Palm Beach Atlantic University

Volume XXVIII No. 3 Current Fall 2017

Blankets for Vets: Homecoming workshop Page 4

New Franchising Center: 19 Documentary shoot in Jordan: 20 Current Fall 2017 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Nancy Albertz Schmidt '05 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pharm.D. Brendan Kesler '07 Ben Starling III '92 President Michael Thorstad '07 MBA Ramona Zapper '91 Jean Marseille '05 Don Harp, Lifetime Member Vice President PARENTS COUNCIL Natalie Alvarez '11 Rob Anderson '94 Robert and Cindy Read, Deborah Bowmar Jaffe '89/'92 MBA Co-Chairs Daylen Brinkley '15 Joe and Amy Anderton Beth Charbonneau '10/'15 M.S. Victoria Chouris '97/'01 MBA Cynthia Campbell Jessica Clasby '13/'15 M.S. Wayne and Deretta Cotton, John Cupini '08 Founding members Evelyn Flores '06/'09 M.S. Paul Giles '94 Jon and Helen Dickinson Sharon Gill '14 Mark and Cyndie Friese Richard Heers '90 Karen Hilo '02 MBA Rob and Kim Gomez 13 Patti Johnson Hovey '87 Dave and Priscilla Guinta Putnam Kling '10 Andy and Terry Hardman Richard Lassiter '88 Josue Leon '11 MBA Douglas and Heidi Hawkins Yalonda Moring Meckstroth '83 Dan and Kendra Pearson Annaleah Morrow '93/'97 M.S. Features Ana Salguero Nolt '12/'16 MSN David and Alesia Wilson Don Sloan '73 16 South Africa, these graduates are joyfully impacting our world for good. William M. B. Fleming, Jr. | President From the President We look forward to seeing many of you alumni at Vicki Pugh | Vice President for Development 8 10 Dear Friends, Homecoming, Nov. 8-11. This year the final day of our Becky Peeling, APR, ‘05 M.S. | Associate Vice President for Yum! Brands Going Global What a way to start the school year! In a powerful Homecoming celebration falls on Veterans Day. To University Relations and Marketing retired CEO for master's tradition of thanksgiving and expectation, faculty, staff, all in the PBA family who have served in our Armed Mary Jacobs | Assistant Vice President for Special Projects and student leaders, athletes and others coming to campus Forces, we offer our thanks for your sacrifice and your Parent Relations American Free Enterprise New Global Development early lined the multi-story atrium railings of the faithfulness. medalist is bestselling program will send students Warren Library. Their purpose? To pray and to unfurl You’ll find the complete Homecoming schedule at author on leadership. abroad in fieldwork. the banner proclaiming the theme of the year ahead: Current Magazine www.pba.edu/homecoming. We’re celebrating Reunion Volume XXVIII No. 3, November 1, 2017 Amazing Faithfulness. Classes ’72, ’77, ’82, ’87, ’92, ’97, ’02, ’07 and ’12. Every Since that ceremony on Aug. 15, I have continued to PBA class is special, but note that members of the Class Current magazine is published three times a year by the office of University Relations and Marketing, Palm Beach Atlantic marvel at the faithfulness of the God we serve. He has of 1972 were our pioneers who in 1968 bravely entered University, P.O. Box 24708, West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4708. 20 24 blessed us with such a creative, diverse student body: the new college that had just opened its doors. John Sizemore, editor: [email protected] 3,843-strong, vibrant in their excitement to learn and At Homecoming if you meet a member of the Class 'Wake-up call' Class their heart to serve. of 1972, ask him or her to reflect upon what’s happened Notes God also has blessed us with “out-of-the-box”- on the campus since ’72. Perhaps those first Palm in Jordan minded faculty, leading the way with innovative Beach Atlantic Sailfish are now in the best position to Students venture out of their See who has academic programs for both undergraduate and recognize and celebrate God’s Amazing Faithfulness. comfort zone to film a new job, spouse or baby graduate students. In this issue of Current you can read documentary on refugees. (and share your news with us). about two new, unique programs: the Master of Science Sincerely yours, in Global Development and the Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in franchising. And as in every issue of Current, you can read about how God is blessing the lives and work of PBA alumni, PBAAlumni @pbauniversity @PBAtlantic PBAvideo who daily shine with their own Amazing Faithfulness. Whether they are ministering to hospitalized veterans, William M. B. Fleming, Jr. “They’re just so thankful to see someone who can come leading mission organizations or studying leopards in President On the out and who cares about them.” Madison Murchak ’15 is coming to Homecoming with her blanket-making cover: ministry for hospitalized veterans. Page 4 2 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 3 Alum to bring her veterans ministry for Homecoming, Homecoming ith Homecoming falling on Veterans Day, Veterans Day, Nov. 11 this year PBA alumni will gather to make special gifts for hospitalized veterans, Wthanks to an alumna coming from Pittsburgh and Join a workshop bringing her “Fleece Connection.” That’s what Madison Murchak ’15 calls her nonprofit organization that already has made and to make therapeutic distributed 450 colorful fleece blankets for vets. She’ll lead a blanket-making workshop at the Greene Madison Murchak ’15, above, leads Complex for Sports and Recreation on Nov. 11. (See blankets for workshops producing fleece blankets opposite page to register and join the effort.) for veterans. Volunteers deliver the “The blankets are very easy to make,” said blankets with handwritten cards and Murchak. “There’s no sewing involved at all.” She dog tags that read "We Salute You." and her crew will gather all the supplies needed and hospitalized vets then show volunteers how to cut and tie together two thick pieces of micro fleece to make a heavy To register: blanket. Though the process is simple, there’s science behind it, such that the finished product can help www.pba.edu/homecoming-2017 suffering veterans. Several years ago Murchak already had been making blankets for homeless people when she read about the therapeutic value in weighted blankets. “In psychiatric care, weighted blankets are one “In psychiatric care, weighted blankets are one of our most powerful tools for helping people who of our most powerful tools for helping people who are anxious, upset and possibly on the verge of are anxious, upset and possibly on the verge of losing control,” said Karen Moore, an occupational losing control,” said Karen Moore, an occupational therapist quoted in Psychology Today. “Like a firm hug, weighted blankets help us feel secure, therapist quoted in Psychology Today. “Like a grounded, and safe.” “So I researched it and found out the size of firm hug, weighted blankets help us feel secure, material I needed to get it to a weight that could grounded, and safe.” actually start helping the symptoms of PTSD, stress, anxiety and depression,” said Murchak. She took the concept to her church in the Pittsburgh area “and they jumped aboard immediately” and started hosting small workshops for volunteers to come and help make the blankets. The workshops caught on, and soon Fleece (Continued on page 6)

4 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 5 4 Current Fall 2015 Congratulations to all of our honorees

Distinguished Alumni

Madison Murchak explains her fleece project during an interview with a Pittsburgh television station.

(Continued from page 5) Directors, grew up in a military family, and she came up MacArthur School of Leadership MacArthur School of Leadership Alumna Service Award Young Alumnus Award Connection outgrew the church. Murchak formed a with the idea that Homecoming should have a Veterans Distinguished Alumna Award Distinguished Alumna Award Lorraine Mutzer Christopher Moody ‘07 501(c)(3) non-profit and moved on to secure sponsors Day activity this year. Natalie M. Alvarez ‘11 Gina Sabean ‘06 Desravines ‘05 and offer fleece workshops for a variety of groups and “I always want to support veterans any way that I corporations. can,” said Clasby. “And what I love most about this Sports Hall of Fame The finished blankets weigh five to seven pounds. project is that an alumna is doing it.” Murchak packages them in an attractive fabric tote That alumna, Madison Murchak, leads such bag, with a handwritten card and a dog tag bearing the workshops as a volunteer herself, for she has a full- message “We Salute You.” time job in project management with a technology Each time the volunteers complete 25 or so blankets company. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing they take them to a Veterans Affairs hospital, going at PBA, but now she has a new career direction, after room to room to hand-deliver them. her experience with veterans. At first Murchak found it very intimidating, as a “Since I started Fleece Connection,” she said, “I complete stranger coming into the hospital room of a just see the sacrifices that people make to protect our vet. “But after the first time I delivered blankets, I’m country and maintain the safety and freedoms that not afraid to go in anymore,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of we take for granted. Meeting these people and seeing really incredible people. You get so blown away by the all that goes into providing protection against threats stories that you hear. from all over the world really opened my eyes and it Mari Stokes Treverton ‘12 Joseph Yurchak ‘10 “They’re very thankful for the blanket that you’re finally made sense to me what I want to do.” She has Softball Soccer giving them,” she said. “You always make sure to thank begun online studies through Long Island University them for their service, and say that you’re praying to earn a master’s degree in homeland security and for them and that you’re truly appreciative of all the counterterrorism. Homecoming: Nov. 8-11 sacrifices they’ve given. They are just always so open After graduate school she hopes to work in a federal to having us there, and they are very gracious. They’re agency. “I want to do something in the public sector that www.pba.edu/homecoming just so thankful to see someone who can come out and is helping our country,” she said. “You’re helping people Thank you to our sponsors: who cares about them.” and you’re keeping our country safe at the same time.” After the blanket-making workshop at PBA, Murchak will lead a small contingent delivering the blankets to After many volunteer hours as PBA students, the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. Count on Sailfish alumni are known for their ongoing community alumna Jessica Clasby ’13/’15 M.S. to be among them. service. The university continues community service Clasby, a member of the Alumni Association Board of opportunities through the Alumni Service Council. For Special Veterans Day Workshop: more information, call (561) 803-2595. See story on page 4

6 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 7 his first job as a copywriter for a small ad agency in passion has been for years, which is leadership and Washington, D.C. His first managerial job was account recognition,” he said. supervisor for the Frito-Lay account with a Dallas “I’m very grateful for the plan that I think God has agency. had for my life, and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to Novak soon became known for his success in use the talents that He’s given me to hopefully impact inspiring people and building the world in positive ways.” teams. “I realized very early That impact also includes on that you can’t get anything much “giving back” from the done by yourself,” he said. fruits of his business success, “You have to take people supporting causes like early with you to get things done. childhood development, That ‘taking people with you’ education, student leadership, skill was the thing that really hunger relief, military family ultimately separated me from support and juvenile diabetes. other people in the end.” Novak and his wife, Wendy, His book Taking People live in North Palm Beach, also With You made the New York spending time in Louisville, Times bestseller list. And his Kentucky, and New York. Ken latest book shares another of Mahanes, special advisor to Novak’s keys to managerial PBA President Bill Fleming, success: got to know Novak well when O GREAT ONE! A LITTLE Mahanes was pastor of Lost STORY ABOUT THE Tree Chapel in North Palm AWESOME POWER OF Beach. “David Novak is one of RECOGNITION. the most creative, energetic and The book is a parable about caring persons I’ve known,” a CEO who comes to an ailing said Mahanes. “His enthusiasm company and discovers that for life is infectious.” the missing ingredient in the Novak begins each day David Novak in his office, the walls and ceiling plastered with photos of people that he has recognized. When he gives business involved supervisors reading a devotional, “getting out an award he has a photo made and displays it for all to see. providing employees the some quiet time and writing recognition they deserve. “All down three things that I’m American Free Enterprise speaker the surveys show that people grateful for,” he said. “I think shares about the key ingredient are starved for recognition that gets me in the right frame Recognition: so often missing among managers and that many people value recognition much more of mind to spend my day with my mood high and my than they even do money,” said Novak. “Recognition attitude good.” he best leaders I know are the best learners,” backgrounds,” he said. Because of his father’s job as a becomes contagious.” The American Free Enterprise celebration also said David C. Novak, co-founder and retired government surveyor, the family moved every three That same principle of leadership with recognition will recognize four companion AFE medalists: James " chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc. And months, and he lived in 23 states by the time he was in stands as the key in Novak’s retirement mission. He Donnelly, founder and CEO of Castle Group; David Twhen he speaks at PBA Nov. 14, students arguably will seventh grade. does blogs and podcasts on the subject and he’s created Donten, CPA with Caler, Donten, Levine, Cohen, Porter hear from one of the best teachers on the subject of “The fact that I did move around a lot, met all kinds a free digital leadership company, oGolead.com. & Veil, P.A.; Judith Mitchell, CEO of the Kravis Center leadership. of different people, that helped me,” said Novak. “That “The rest of my life hopefully will be dedicated to for the Performing Arts; and David Wright, owner/CEO Novak will receive PBA’s American Free Enterprise skill was very transferable in business. And my parents making the world a better place by developing better of Butterfield’s Pharmacy & Medical Supplies. Medal during the ceremony in the Rubin Arena at really taught me the value of hard work and respecting leaders and doing that by really honing in on what my the Greene Complex for Sports and Recreation. In a other people and acknowledging other people, that telephone interview, he talked about his remarkable everyone counts.” career and his mission in retirement: “making the With the unfailing encouragement of his parents, he world a better place by developing better leaders.” became the first in his family to get a college education. American Free Enterprise Day While Novak was CEO, Yum! Brands doubled in “My dad and mom really felt that education removed 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, November 14 size to 41,000 restaurants, in the ubiquitous brands the barriers and really gave you the maximum Greene Complex for Sports and Recreation KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. He’s won numerous opportunity to succeed in life.” awards for his executive leadership and commitment Novak earned a journalism degree from the This annual event is free and open to the public, to philanthropy and higher education. University of Missouri. In that program he discovered with a complimentary lunch following the ceremony. Novak was born in Texas to parents of “very humble a passion for advertising, and in 1974 he landed www.pba.edu/AFE

8 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 9 Dr. Craig Hanson Dr. Robert Lloyd Jessica Monteiro TheThe worldworld isis theirtheir targettarget Monteiro ’17. “It is really great to see such a diverse to accommodate working students like Monteiro. Faculty lead diverse group of students into group come together and we all have the same The first class to meet was Development Economics, motivation, to help make our world a better place.” taught by Dr. Robert Lloyd, dean of the School of Arts new Global Development master’s degree program Monteiro came to the program after graduating and Sciences. Lloyd is the Loreen Beisswenger Farish new master’s degree program has opened with a resume and a formal proposal from your fieldwork to from PBA in May with a degree in pre-law. A veteran Chair for Political Thought, and has a wide range of nine students, diverse in background, but demonstrate that you’re able to actually do this.” of the Supper Honors Program, she went abroad for international experience, including a decade with an united in their compassion and their purpose: Kate Magro, director of PBA’s Workship community a semester through the David and Leighan Rinker international development organization in Africa and Ato make a difference in the Developing World. service outreach, serves as fieldwork supervisor for Center for Experiential Learning. At Oxford University Washington, D.C. Faculty in the Global Development Program hope the program. Months before the first class on Aug. she studied the history of the Soviet Union and also Hanson has a master’s degree in foreign languages to send out graduates who are strategizers, thinkers 21, Magro and Hanson traveled extensively to scout Shakespeare. and a Ph.D. in philosophy with concentration in and planners armed with entrepreneurship and out fieldwork locations and partners. As an example, During her undergraduate years Monteiro worked philosophical economics. Rounding out the Global business skills. To do this takes more than classroom they located a church in northern Rwanda doing part-time in PBA’s development office. “I loved getting Developing faculty are Dr. Gerald Wright, professor knowledge, said Dr. Craig Hanson, who initiated the vital work, but facing a financial challenge. “So we’re to do grant proposals, budgets, all that kind of work of cross-cultural studies, and Sean Davis, adjunct new program. putting students into the middle of this,” said Hanson. and being able to see the fundraising aspect of the professor in the Rinker School of Business. Wright “The really important feature is the fieldwork Those students will be seeing first-hand a “real world” school and how that is impacting our students,” she spent 19 years overseas working in graduate level component,” said Hanson. “Mid-way through we problem and asking, “How can we help you be self- said. education, social ministry, church planting and send you out and have you live in places like Tanzania sustaining?” When the new Global Development Program strategic planning and leadership. Davis, who has or Uganda or Ivory Coast or Costa Rica.” In such “I can’t emphasize enough: this is real work,” said opened, “It really had everything that I was in an MBA from the London Business School, is the locations, each student will spend eight weeks working Hanson. “These people want us there now. They need love with,” said Monteiro. “I’m able to do global development director for The Salvation Army of Palm with a nonprofit organization and tackling a specific somebody now looking at these problems.” development and still concentrate on public policy, Beach County. development problem. The nine pioneer students in the program include which I’m passionate about.” The two-year program for the Master of Science in After that summer fieldwork, students will return to PBA alumni as well as graduates of other universities. Monteiro, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, hopes Global Development includes 43 credit hours. Students the classroom to take courses in the development track Their undergraduate majors have included ministry, to go on to earn a Ph.D. and serve either in the may choose between three degree concentrations: they choose. “And you’re thinking carefully about your philosophy, cross-cultural studies and business government or with a nonprofit organization working development policy, applied cultural studies and fieldwork experience and writing a formal proposal management. in the public policy aspect of development. She now development finance and economics. By adding an that ultimately you will present to these people in the “We don’t care about major,” said Hanson. “We care has a full-time job as corporate engagement manager extra semester, students also may earn their MBA. field,” said Hanson. “When you go to employers after about who you are and what kind of a person you are.” for the United Way of Palm Beach County. graduation you’ll have more than a degree. You’ll have “We have a wonderful mix of people,” said Jessica Global Development classes meet in the evening www.pba.edu/MGD

10 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 11 Oh, to have an office in the wilderness Biology grad interns trapping leopards, aspires to career as ranger or wildlife researcher n the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, a wildlife researcher and his assistant had to Imove quickly while the leopard they caught remained tranquilized. “Some leopards wake up a lot more feisty than others,” said the assistant, Mosa Molapo. Molapo himself had been awake since 3:30 a.m., and he was in the field by 4 for a 12-hour day tracking leopards. The 2016 PBA biology graduate was serving an internship he described as “exciting, slightly dangerous, but a lot of fun.” For the study on the demographics and movements of these leopards, the team measured the tranquilized animal, took blood samples, checked for parasites and then took photos for Mosa Molapo, left, takes measurements of tranquilized big cat. identification, “because every leopard’s spots are unique,” said Molapo. But “at the end of the day, I made a difference in that Lastly, they attached a GPS collar to the leopard project,” said Molapo. He put to good use what he learned Ben Stuart, left, from Passion City Church in Atlanta, spoke so they could monitor its movement, a critical at PBA, and he helped researchers in their mission to to students at Christival, the long-standing PBA tradition of factor, given the farming area surrounding the study and preserve this remarkable, beautiful animal. praise, worship and learning. Members of the Chapel Praise wildlife reserve. One of the threats to the species After the leopard project, Molapo did a second, similar Team led in worship. comes from the farmers fearing for their livestock. internship in Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest www.pba.edu/news/Christival-love-2017 An adult leopard has the strength to haul away game reserves. There the team tracked and trapped an animal “heavier than your average man,” said all kinds of carnivores, “from mongoose to lion and Molapo. everything in between.” In addition to the danger, the long hours Now Molapo is looking for new projects that will build And details on the Web and the strenuous, dirty work, his internship toward his long-term goals. He aspires either to become News briefs also required lots of time in the lab and doing a resident ranger or to earn a Ph.D. and conduct his own paperwork, Molapo said. “What goes on behind research. AD named Employee of the Year M.Div. coming to Orlando Campus the scenes is a lot more than some people Molapo is from South Africa, and from a family typically interested in business or theology. But from as Carolyn Stone, director of athletics, was chosen Beginning in January 2018 the Orlando Campus will bargained for when they said they wanted to do far back as he can remember, he’s been intrigued with 2017 Employee of the Year. She became AD in 2012, offer the Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts in wildlife research.” animals. “It’s that thing inside you,” he said. “Passion is after having previously served as director of campus Christian Studies. ultimately what drives you.” recreation, director of Institutional Research and www.pba.edu/news/grad-ministry-Orlando Dr. Thomas Chesnes, professor of biology, recalled Effectiveness and an adjunct faculty member. Molapo from his course Natural History of the www.pba.edu/news/Employee-of-the-year-17 SSC membership now official Everglades. Chesnes saw this student had an interest in On Aug. 10 the Sunshine State Conference formally Politics prof earns teaching award wildlife far beyond the superficial. “He showed insight welcomed Palm Beach Atlantic University as a full to the connectedness of living things in their natural Dr. Linda Raeder received the 2017 Charles and conference member. Previously PBA had been granted environment,” said the professor. Hazel Corts Award for Outstanding Teaching. She is provisional status of the SSC, known as the premier One would expect that insight and connectedness to professor of politics, and has been with the university academic and athletic conference in NCAA Division II. continue; Molapo can well imagine his future with “my since 2001. www.pba.edu/news/raeder-corts-17 www.pba.edu/news/ssc-members office out in the wilderness.”

12 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 13 Much to shout about New sports Two Sailfish teams stood center undefeated as Current magazine went to press, volleyball at 18-0 dedication and men’s soccer at 10-0, plus two soccer matches ending in a draw set Nov. 30 after double overtime. The John & Sheila Rinker At left, Abigail Singleton flies high for a kill against Tampa on Sports Center will be Sept. 29. PBA swept the Tampa dedicated at 4 p.m. Nov. visitors 3-0 on Family Weekend, as 30, with tours given after a large crowd celebrated, above. the ceremony. At right, Gabriel Saroli (No. 9) greets joyous teammates after The center is at 3401 scoring the only goal in the Sept. Parker Avenue, West 27 win over Barry University. Saroli Palm Beach, in the needed just one minute and 18 Marshall and Vera Lea seconds into the match to make the hit, his second goal of the season. Rinker Athletic Campus.

14 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 15 in Uganda,” she said. “And we Steve Nester. Nester was on the have so much here. I think that’s advisory board for the pharmacy the thing that broke my heart the school when it opened in 2001, most.” and he was one of the school’s first She became involved with preceptors. Pharmacy preceptors Word In Deed as a fundraiser and give practical experience and volunteer, joined the ministry’s training to students as the students board of directors and finally in work through rotations in different 2015 became president of the areas of practice. board. It’s a small ministry, with The pharmacy school regularly five board members, she said. “We sends out mission teams through just get out there and pound the the Gregory Center for Medical pavement, helping as much as we Missions, and its Uganda trip can, raising money for different is coordinated by Word In projects.” Deed. “Lisa takes care of all Word In Deed works closely the logistics: transportation, with local churches to identify accommodations, food,” said Dr. and meet needs both physical Adwoa Nornoo, associate professor and spiritual. The projects have of pharmaceutical sciences. “She included schools, orphanages, really plans well, and she has a soccer fields, a medical clinic and heart for everybody.” business seminars in Senegal, This year the Uganda trip had Sudan, Kenya, India and Uganda. its largest team ever, 26 people, The work in Uganda has including pharmacy students, involved “a wonderful, wonderful faculty, alumni and others. “It’s the partnership” with PBA and best trip we’ve had,” said Sorensen. the Lloyd L. Gregory School of She loves seeing the pharmacy Pharmacy, said Sorensen. That students getting involved, being partnership came about after Sorensen remarried, to pharmacist (Continued on page 18)

Lisa Sorensen gives Ugandan school children gifts from their sponsors through Word In Deed Ministries. a friend from the law firm told Going back to her about a job with a Costa Rica mission, for Sorensen it was God’s school after 20 years providence. put her on a path to For the next six years she 'Just go for it' lead mission work worked with Pura Vida Missions, organizing and administering wenty years after graduating and rushing off to night school, she degree in ministry and what you teams traveling to Costa Rica for short-term missions. “It was great from Lake Worth High had a particularly frustrating tussle might call a latent call to mission Award-winning photographer School, Lisa Sorensen with an old nemesis: mathematics. work - latent until a couple of years training for me,” she said. “I found Steve Nester, husband to Lisa Tstepped into her first college class, later when she lost her law firm job. a lot of joy in that job.” “It was so difficult for me,” she said. Sorensen, took the photos on at Palm Beach Atlantic University. “I remember coming out of class “I really think it was a way for In 2012 Sorensen got invited on pages 16 and 18. A pharmacist That academic gap would have and thinking, I’m never going to God to say, ‘You need to follow the a mission trip to Uganda, where by trade, Nester serves as provided challenge enough, but make it through this. I got into my things you know I want you to do,’” she observed the holistic work a preceptor for the Lloyd L. Sorensen shouldered an extra load: car and just bawled my eyes out.” Sorensen concluded. of Word In Deed Ministries. She Gregory School of Pharmacy, She was a single mom, working But she did make it through that The call, the fire in her heart for also observed the overwhelming providing practical experience full-time in a law firm. math class, and by her senior year missions, had begun during her poverty in Uganda, so much more and training to pharmacy One evening after scrambling she made the Provost’s List. She third year at PBA when she went apparent than what she’d seen in students. out of work, taking care of her son graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s on a mission trip to Cuba. So when Costa Rica. “The needs are so huge

16 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 17 (Continued from page 17) “It warms my heart” coming back to visit campus, challenged and growing as a team on mission. said Sorensen. And when she thinks back to her busy “And just the stories you hear,” said Sorensen, days as a PBA student and single mom, she offers this “and the smiles you get to see.” Others get to see encouragement to other working folks who might some of those smiles thanks to Nester, who is an consider going back to school: award-winning photographer, and whose photos “Just go for it. Learning new things, challenging accompany this story. yourself, personal growth. God uses all those Sorensen delights in all her PBA connections. On experiences to grow you spiritually. It’s those one mission trip she handed out children’s books challenges that help define you and make you a better Dr. John P. Hayes is a professor written and donated by PBA alumna Angela Hay. person and be able to minister to others.” in the Rinker School of Business and director of the new Titus Center for Franchising. Hayes earned his doctorate from Temple University and his bachelor's and master's degrees from Kent State University. TitusCenterforFranchising.com

Franchise expert leads new center iting remarkable success just begun his first semester as life,” said Hayes. “The background, stories like that of Subway professor directing that program I don’t think matters. It’s what’s in Restaurants, Dr. John and the new Titus Center for their hearts.” CP. Hayes said that franchising Franchising in the Rinker School of For example, someone looking provides “great resources and Business. to buy a franchise must be terrific options” for young people Seventeen students are taking teachable, he said, and they’ve got to own a business or to take an idea the first course in the program, to follow the rules of the franchisor and launch it as a business. And Principles of Franchising. “I’ve who developed a system for the Hayes should know, because he got a great class of students,” said business. And then for the creative wrote the book. Hayes. “We’re off to a good start.” entrepreneurial type willing to take Actually, he’s written several In addition to the regular class some risks, “maybe you’ve got an books, including Start Small, Finish sessions, Hayes will meet one-on- idea for the next great Holiday Inn Big: Fifteen Key Lessons to Start one with each of those students to or the next great Dunkin’ Donuts – and Run – Your Own Successful help them discover which career type of business.” Business. Hayes wrote that book choice might be a fit: buying a Hayes came to PBA after many with Fred DeLuca, co-founder of franchise, becoming a franchisor or years of speaking and writing in Subway, which is now the world’s working for a franchisor. And along behalf of franchise companies, largest franchise company by the way, Hayes has the knowledge including United Franchise Group number of units. and contacts to introduce students (UFG). The Titus Center for Despite the success stories to appropriate franchise companies. Franchising is endowed by Ray and exciting opportunities, For some 27 years Hayes has Titus, CEO of UFG. few universities are teaching taught The ABCs of Buying a On Nov. 15 the center will franchising, “a handful at best,” said Franchise at the International host a dedication celebration, Hayes. And nowhere except PBA Franchise Expo, most recently held including a presentation by Robert will you find a program “where in New York City. He’s also taught Cresanti, president and CEO a student can get a bachelor’s at franchise shows in London and of the International Franchise degree in management with a Dallas, and he’s owned franchises Association. For more information concentration in franchising.” and been a franchisor himself. call (561) 803-2011 or email tricia_ Lisa Sorensen looks out to photograph kids at a Ugandan school during a 2017 visit. (Page 16 photo taken in 2014.) Hayes, a veteran franchise “Successful franchisees and [email protected]. practitioner and educator, has franchisors come from all walks of

18 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 19 The missile 'God, please make the sound equipment exploded work. Please make the cameras work, because this story is way more serious in the kitchen, than anything I’ve had to deal with before.' where 4 of the --Videographer Tim DeMoss in Jordan children were PBA documentary team journeys to Jordan to hear how refugee families have suffered MAFRAQ, Jordan — A few miles south of the Syrian border, a refugee family began to tell their young American visitors how a 2014 missile strike destroyed their home in Syria. PBA sophomore Tim DeMoss recorded the story on a high-resolution video camera, listening in amazement at the harrowing details. The missile exploded in the kitchen, where four of the family’s 10 children were at the time. Amidst the debris, the smoke, the screams and the confusion, the oldest daughter staggered up, threw water on her burns and rushed back toward the flames to help her sisters. Miraculously, all four daughters survived, all seriously burned. The youngest, 4 at the time, suffered such burns that she was barely recognizable. Three years later, on this summer documentary trip, PBA students Tim DeMoss (at tripod) and Jackie Streng (at right) listen as an interpreter videographer DeMoss looked at the scarred face of that translates for a Syrian family who had fled to Jordan from their war-torn country. youngest daughter. She smiled at him. “They were beautiful little girls,” said DeMoss. DeMoss describes Balderas as “a go-getter” and “out- “I have a 7-year-old sister: God made it so easy for of-the-box” kind of professor; out-of-the-box was me to look at that girl and see my sister.” With that about to become out-of-the-country. After the West perspective, as DeMoss looked through the camera he Palm Beach shooting was done, Balderas told his prayed, “God, please make the sound equipment work. crew, “I love the story, but I feel like the story is not Please make the cameras work, because this story is complete. Wouldn’t it be great if we could go to Syria way more serious than anything I’ve had to deal with and talk to the people who are waiting there to leave?” before.” Balderas learned that cross-cultural studies God must have answered those prayers. Now professors Dr. Gerald Wright and Michael Griffin back at school, DeMoss shakes his head in wonder planned to lead students on a humanitarian crisis as he reviews the footage (650 gigabytes worth) from aid trip to Jordan, so he talked to Wright about the interviews with four refugee families. A monumental effort. “You could just tell that he had a passion for this editing task remains, the next step in the documentary region of the world, the people,” said Balderas. “You being created under the leadership of Israel Balderas, just see it in his eyes.” assistant professor of convergence journalism. Balderas asked Wright if a small documentary The project began last spring, when Balderas had team could travel embedded with the cross-cultural several students interviewing three Syrian refugee team. Wright agreed, and after fundraising and much families who had re-settled in West Palm Beach. (Continued on page 22) Assistant Professor Israel Balderas with a Syrian boy. Jackie Streng shows photos to Syrian kids.

20 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 21 Standout

New on Sailfish pba.edu

In a joint effort by Career Development, Student Development and Marketing, this new feature pba.edu provides an ongoing sample of what recent PBA graduates are doing. You’ll find smiling faces like Standout Sailfish these at www.pba.edu/standout-sailfish.

Tim DeMoss reviews footage of the Syrian family whose daughters survived a missile blast to the kitchen. You can click on a grad’s name and read the answers to questions such as: (Continued from page 21) DeMoss will never forget the “face of joy” he saw in the planning, on June 28 off they went: including Balderas, dad whose daughters survived the kitchen explosion. » Describe your current job role.

DeMoss and journalism senior Jackie Streng. “He was like one of the happiest guys I’ve ever seen,” Nicholas D’Amico ‘17 Jay Varano ‘15 In a town near one of the largest refugee camps DeMoss said. “We asked, ‘How are you this happy?’ He » What do you know now that you wish you had Accounting & Finance Politics in Jordan, the documentary team found families to basically said, ‘Sorrow will suck the life out of you, and known about being a working professional? Tax Associate, Field Coordinator, interview. With an interpreter, I’m not going to open my door Daszkal Bolton LLP Everglades Trust they worked hard in pre-interview to that. What good would that » How did PBA prepare you for the world of work? visits, “to get these people to trust "Sorrow will possibly do?’” us,” said Balderas. In that process DeMoss is editing footage » What advice would you give to current PBA Balderas quickly saw added suck the life out now, as is Josh Myers, a cinema- students and/or young alumni who are about benefits from the cross-cultural of you, and I’m television major who did to start their first professional full-time job? team. “There are so many cultural not going to open much of the West Palm Beach sensitivities that you have to be my door to that. shooting in the spring. The team So read about these Sailfish Standouts, share their Timeelah Adamson ‘15 Angelica Everingham ‘16 aware of,” he said. “The cross- hopes to complete a 42-minute stories on your social media and come back to the Music (Vocal Performance) Nursing cultural students would say, ‘Here’s What good would documentary in November. Doctoral Student in Registered Nurse website next month to meet more Standouts: Vocal Performance, what you have to do. Here’s how Already DeMoss realizes the Indiana University you sit. You shake his hand; don’t that possibly do?" experience has changed him. As shake her hand.’ --Syrian refugee whose he continues along his goal to www.pba.edu/standout-sailfish “And these professors in house was destroyed become a film director, he sees this department are so aware,” new and lasting priorities for Balderas said. “They do such a the purpose, the content and the great job teaching how to be loving, how to be gracious impact of what he will film in the future. in a different country, in a different culture.” “It’s really been a wake-up call to use my talents Balderas and his crew found the culture very not to just make some piece of work that I can win an welcoming. And as they began to comprehend fully award for,” said DeMoss. “It’s taught me to be insightful the ordeal of these families fleeing civil war, they and realize that there’s always a place for someone who saw glimmers of hope shining through the hardship. wants to help.”

22 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 23 Class Notes

Jeffrey “Ryan” Bagwell ’03 is Todd Crews ’06 with clients full potential. She is responsible regional sales manager for Schiller is on the pastoral on investment for the day-to-day management, Grounds Care, bringing more team at Hillsong strategies, enhancing the internal than 10 years of sales experience. Church in financial organization and infrastructure Previously he was senior director New York City. planning and necessary for ongoing operations of sales and marketing with JD Previously he estate planning. and for future growth. North America, leading sales led one of the He has more www.apreciouschild.org efforts in the U.S., Canada and largest young than eight years of experience in Puerto Rico. He lives with his wife, adult ministries in America at the financial services industry and Tracey Graham ’10 and her Jacklin Weitzel Bagwell ’04, in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church holds a certification in financial daughter, Amaris, started the Cornelius, North Carolina. for nearly 10 years as an associate planning. He and his wife, Abigail non-profit pastor. He has done a variety of Hilterman ’07, live in Lexington, organization Erin Tarver ’03 missions work in Jamaica, the Ohio, with their four children. Ladies of is an assistant Philippines, Bolivia and Costa Rica [email protected] Futurity, Robin Sprague Dykstra ’98 professor of and now utilizes his involvement empowering and her husband, Art, accepted philosophy at with youth and experiences abroad Luther Laite ’07 Pharm.D. teen girls and Brian Hawkins ’90 and Julie a new ministry in the greater Oxford College to preach both nationally and received the 2017 Frank Toback motivating Patterson Hawkins ’90 are serving Tampa Bay area. Art is lead of Emory internationally to develop leaders. AZO Consultant Pharmacist them to pursue academic success with the Georgia Baptist Children’s pastor of Feather Sound Church, University and Award. He is and ultimately to be leaders in Home & Family Ministries in a non-denominational church in is author of a consultant their community. They live in West Atlanta, Georgia. Brian is vice Clearwater, Florida. Robin works The I in Team. pharmacist Palm Beach. www.ladyof.org president of ministries, and Julie, to increase the church’s presence Her new book for AlixaRx, a licensed clinical social worker, in the community with innovative presents a a nationwide became a clinical coordinator for communications. thought-provoking perspective pharmacy the mental health clinic in 2016. www.feathersoundchurch.com on team sports, fandom and service www.gbchfm.org identity. She recently published providing long The Rev. Verona Hagans an op-ed on the same topic in the term care, Scott Cooper ’94 Matthews ’99 is the first female New York Times: www.nytimes. on-site medication dispensing is the talent pastor at Tabernacle Missionary com/2017/08/21/opinion/college- Zach Williams ’06 and his and certified geriatric clinical acquisition manager Baptist Church of West Palm football-black-athletes.html band, The Lone Bellow, were pharmacists. He serves as the for Baptist Beach, Florida, in 123 years. She featured on “CBS This Morning” Florida Pharmacy Association Healthcare of has just completed her third book, Alexia Ioannides ’05/’08 M.S. is during the Saturday Sessions live regional director and is the past Kentucky. Reflections, Thoughts, Prayers. a licensed psychotherapist and is performance. The group began president of the Brevard County Scott.Cooper@ It is a devotional for everyday using dance movement therapy performing in Brooklyn, released Pharmacy Association. Brandon McGuire ’12, Johnny hueman.com reading and spiritual growth, with in group sessions at The Island their first album in 2013 and Hedger ’12 and Taylor Houston 20 of her own poems dispersed Counseling Group in Palm Beach. released another in 2015. Since Courtney Rogers Wickberg ’07 is Volkens ’15 launched White Derek Johnson ’94 is chief throughout. www.tmbc1893.org She also has worked with Lynn then, they relocated to Nashville chief operations officer of Sail Films, a Florida-based video executive officer of Building God’s Cancer Institute, Boca Raton and began work on their latest A Precious Child, production company dedicated to Way, a leader in ministry design Ann-Marie Allen Taylor ’00/’17 Regional Hospital, Palm Beach album, Walk Into a Storm, which a Colorado video that inspires. They offer film and facilities-related services. He M.S., who became the first female Music Therapy Institute and was released in September. nonprofit providing services for commercials, business joined BGW in 2009 as the vice police captain in the history of the various addiction-recovery centers, www.thelonebellow.com children in need promotion, documentaries, president of business development. Palm Beach Police Department in and has had a private practice on with opportunities weddings, motion graphics and www.bgwservices.com 2014, has been promoted to deputy Palm Beach since 2013. www. Tim Hilterman ’07 MBA and resources to more. www.whitesailfilms.com chief, the second-highest ranking islandcounselinggroup.com joined Whitcomb & Hess wealth empower them position in the department. management team, working to achieve their

24 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 25 Genine Patterson Rumph ’13 has to choose their Tyler Scheuer ’17 is known for become the first female licensed therapist, and balancing all sorts of things on minister at St. John Missionary giving massage his face, including ladders, chairs Baptist Church in 109 years. In this therapists the and sunglasses, and he is featured Boynton Beach church she serves freedom to in the newest edition of Ripley's Many thanks in the pulpit ministry, evangelism set their own Believe It or Not. He began his own ministry and young adult ministry. pricing. She is entertainment company, booking to all the sponsors and also working shows across the nation. He lives participants who made the to establish in Newtown, Pennsylvania. a system www.amazingtyler.com 30th annual Alumni Association for cancer Golf Tournament such a success. patients to book a massage during their Mark your calendars now chemotherapy sessions without the for next year's event: burden of cost. he stories and Class Notes in Current magazine www.matago.us/matago-home September 29, 2018 provide just a small sample of the creative, Jacqueline “Jacki” Stuckert ’14 Alycia Britton ’17 rode a bicycle meaningful things that PBA alumni and Tstudents are doing. Such a wonderful variety of goals, moved to Haiti for two years to from North Carolina to San Diego skills and ways to serve! open and direct a fine arts after- to volunteer and benefit Habitat Take advantage your alumni magazine, PBA social school program for 200 kids. She is for Humanity and other affordable media and Homecoming activities to connect with currently working in community housing agencies nationwide. old friends and see how they are continuing to live relations for the Chicago Bears She lives in Mantua, New Jersey. out God’s purpose for their lives. As you rejoice in Organization. [email protected] those alumni connections and recall your time at Palm [email protected] Beach Atlantic, think back on the many people and experiences that helped you understand your unique Taylor Grosz ’15 Share your news, with a photo gifts, talents and passions. Faculty, classmates, mission received the But send us this photo. Not this one. trips, internships and Workship projects all played a 2017 Elementary part in shaping you and directing your path to a Life Teacher of the on Purpose. Year award at Maybe it was that encouraging professor who saw Franklin Academy in you the potential to accomplish things you never dreamed of. Maybe you came to PBA puzzled about in Boynton Beach, your dreams for the future and you see how God put Florida. She together pieces of the puzzle in a miraculous way. teaches fourth Now as a PBA graduate you have the opportunity to grade reading, be part of this amazing process in the lives of current writing and social and future students. By contributing to the Annual studies, and has endorsements Two players shot a hole-in-one at the Oct. 7 Scholarship Fund, you can help pave the way for Here at Current magazine we love it when alumni send us Class in English for Speakers of Other tournament, sophomore Sailfish golfer Alex future alumni who will spread across the globe living Notes to publish, especially with news like a newborn Sailfish. But out their purpose. In the years to come as you read Languages and reading. sometimes we receive photos in such a small file size that they Dowd and Brady Ballard, general manager of Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Current stories about innovative leaders, entrepreneurs Holly Nelson ’15 is launching won't reproduce well in the printed magazine. The images above and servant-minded Sailfish of all kinds, you’ll rejoice are from the same photo, but one file has been shrunk for email. One hundred ninety-six golfers played in the a national on-demand massage in this special role in the PBA Family, giving to help Both images might look OK on your smartphone, but we need the tournament. Held at the PGA National Resort app, Matago. It is the first of its the next generation lead a Life on Purpose. larger file for print. Try to send us files of 300 kb or larger. & Spa, the event raises money for the Alumni kind, giving clients the freedom In the center of the magazine you’ll find an envelope You can email class notes to: [email protected]. Association Scholarship Fund. making it easy to contribute by check. Online gifts are even easier at www.pba.edu/annual-scholarship.

26 Current Fall 2017 Current Fall 2017 27 NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID WEST PALM BEACH FL PERMIT #1356 P. O. Box 24708 West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4708

New Look for Sailfish Jack A refreshed mascot debuted at the volleyball game during Family Weekend, drawing smiles from fans, including Trustee Robert Simpson, right. See other sports photos on pages 14-15, and follow all the Sailfish action online: www.pbasailfish.com