A publication of Palm Beach Atlantic University SPRING 2013 • Volume XXIV • No. 1 Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks about leadership philosophy See story on page 4. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Shaun Castillo ’01 Vice President: Joshua Sheats ’07 Secretary: Jim Carr ’09 M.S. Beth Charbonneau ’10 Victoria Chouris ’97/’01 M.B.A. Matthew Clark ’99 Jeana Colby ’99 Lee Curtis ’04 SPRING 2013 • Volume XXIV • No. 1 A publication of Palm Beach Atlantic University Brian Dobrodziej ’06 Elizabeth Eubanks ’04 M.Ed. Evelyn Flores ’09 Tressie George III ’06 Rick Heers ’90 Brad Hoffar ’04/’09 M.B.A. James King ’03 Leah McCrady ’06 Rick Lassiter ’88 Matthew McKee ’95 Yalonda Meckstroth ’83 Claudia Moore ’05 Pharm.D. Geraldine Padgett ’72 Jacob Romig ’00 Ben Starling ’92 Joseph Thomas ’03 Michael Thorstad ’07 M.B.A. U.S. Senator George LeMieux mingles with students Honors graduate Ashley Dolberry shares her future Lifetime Member, Don Harp after David Gergen event. See story on page 9. plans after PBA. See story on page 20. PARENTS COUNCIL Chairs: Duane and Sherrell Smith William and Cynthia Campbell Mark and Barbara Deutschle David and Kathy Fox Ken and Linda Koldenhoven Mike and Christy Lubben Brad and Debbie Mason Greg and Lisa Mills Warren and Linda Smedley Al and Keri Thornton • William M. B. Fleming, Jr. President Vicki Pugh Dr. VanArman and PBA students study the pond Trudy Crowetz and Stephanie Horsley ’98 attend the Vice President for Development apple’s unique benefits. See story on page 22. Alumnae Tea. See story on page 26. Becky Peeling, APR, ’05 M.S. Associate Vice President for A Letter from the President � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 3 University Relations and Marketing World LEADERS Conference � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4 Delesa Hinkle Morris ’85 Women of Distinction � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6 Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations and Annual Fund Gergen Inaugural Speech � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 9 Commencement ������������������������������������������� 10 Maria O’Carroll ’07 Assistant Director of Luis Palau �����������������������������������������������13 Alumni Relations Spring Mission Trips � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 14 Scholarships and Grants � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 15 Mary Jacobs Director of Special Projects Athletics ������������������������������������������������ 20 and Parent Relations Torry Island Research � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22 Elizabeth Bianco Murphy Alumnae Tea ���������������������������������������������26 Publications Director Class Notes ����������������������������������������������28 and Editor of Current Rachel Devin ’13 Lady Hereford Cover Photo: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was one of a dozen leaders who spoke at this year’s World LEADERS Conference held in the DeSantis Chapel. Louis Park Autumn Raab Back Cover: Senior CNN Political Analyst, David Gergen (far right) sits with U.S. Sen. George Contributing Writers LeMieux during their question-and-answer session at the inaugural event for the LeMieux Center for Public Policy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Editorial Offices: P.O. Box 24708 West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4708 Cover photo by Stephanie Hickerty with Emindee Images www.pba.edu 2 FROM THE PRESIDENT “Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” - Harry S. Truman We have leaders. Dear Friends, very day I witness leaders in action Professor of Chemistry Mireille Aleman, Harry S. Truman once said, “Progress Eat Palm Beach Atlantic University, Ph.D. engaged five students in a study occurs when courageous, skillful all glorifying God and advancing of the pond apple tree in an effort leaders seize the opportunity to the mission of Christ-first higher to evaluate its benefit to Everglades change things for the better.” education. These leaders are students, restoration and breast cancer faculty and staff members, volunteers treatment. Dr. VanArman guided I am honored and privileged to be and special friends, dedicated to students to Torry Island to gather surrounded by so many great leaders making a difference at PBA and in our samples; their findings were presented at PBA and give praise and thanks community. In this issue of Current, at a conference at Barry University to God for the many ways they richly we highlight leaders at PBA, paying in March. Dr. Aleman and her team bless the lives of our students, faculty, tribute to their dedication to academics, have just begun their cancer research staff and community members. athletics, research and service. study and hope to learn more as the project progresses. Sincerely, Senior biology major Ashley Dolberry excels in academics and sports. She Great community leaders like former led the Sailfish basketball team to U.S. Sen. George LeMieux are many victories this year, averaging ensuring that PBA students receive 16.5 points per game and becoming unprecedented opportunities to meet the second women’s player to top the and learn from political leaders and 1,000-point plateau in program history. policy makers. By choosing PBA as Graduating with honors, Ashley is the location to establish the LeMieux William M. B. Fleming, Jr. headed to the School of Dentistry at Center for Public Policy, Sen. LeMieux President the University of Texas this fall. is giving students and community members unique opportunities to When faculty members lead students engage with politicians, journalists, in research projects, students receive authors and academics through hands-on experience applying a series of on-campus lectures, classroom learning to real-life internships and a research-based situations. Professor of Biology Peggy fellows program. VanArman, Ph.D. and Assistant CURRENT 3 SPRING 2013 DIGEST WORLD LEADERS CONFERENCE Medalist’s family legacy tied to America’s free system CEO of Southwest Airlines Gary Kelly engages the sold-out crowd during this year’s World LEADERS Conference. He attributes the airline’s success to its customer service culture. Kelly encourages loving everyone in the workforce. His employees value each other and their work ethic. Former Secretary of State shares leadership philosophy with business and civic leaders at Palm Beach Atlantic University alm Beach Atlantic’s DeSantis “You can come from humble “The highlight for me was hearing PFamily Chapel transformed into circumstances and still do great Condi Rice’s insight on other countries center stage for this year’s World things,” Rice said. With her global and her take on world conditions,” LEADERS Conference, which focused perspective and as an educator, Rice said Julie Ziaja, associate director of on servant leadership in business, stated that of the world’s industrialized PBA evening and graduate admissions. ministry and politics. countries, America has the shortest “Her view on education being the key education days and academic year. to making a difference in our world “Palm Beach Atlantic University was was right on target.” privileged to host the 2013 World Rice was one of more than a dozen LEADERS Conference,” said President leaders who spoke at the University as “The conference reminds us to put William M. B. Fleming, Jr. “The servant part of the conference. The two-day our words into action and go out leadership theme aligned perfectly symposium is known for its unique and really make an impact for the with the mission of PBA. And, the blending of renowned speakers from Lord right here in West Palm Beach, diversity and caliber of speakers that the both business and ministry. Fla.,” said Ziaja. conference offered ensured participants an experience that was life-changing.” During her one-hour address, Rice “I see the conference as a shot in reflected on the nation’s past 10 years the arm to keep us focused on serving Former Secretary of State Condoleezza where Americans experienced “three big our students as well as each other Rice, the headline speaker, told a shocks”: 9/11, where the United States across campus.” gathering of more than 400 business, now has to worry about ungoverned civic and religious leaders that the places; the economic/financial crisis single biggest national security threat coupled with unemployment, which “You can come from is the crisis in K-12 education. dramatically challenged the country’s humble circumstances perception of economic security; and the and still do great things.” Rice told the crowd that in America, sectarian violence in the Middle East. - Condoleezza Rice it’s not important where you came from, but where you are going. SPRING 2013 4 CURRENT The event featured nationally-renowned leadership experts, including Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines; Speaker Craig Groeschel encourages the Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO audience to take risks and move through the fear of failure. for Harlem Children’s Zone; Scott Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of Harlem Harrison, founder of the non-profit Children’s Zone, signs one of his books “Fist “This has been an amazing and charity: water; and Ken Blanchard, Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence” inspiring experience,” said Danielle world-renowned leadership expert after the conference. Madsen, a PBA student who is studying and author;