154569-PBSC_R1.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/15 10:23 AM Page i FOR THE FRIENDS OF PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE WWINTERINTER2014-152014-15 || VVOLOL. .21, 21, N NOO. .1 1 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. 22 CONTACT | WINTER 2014-2015 154569-PBSC.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:34 AM Page 3 PALM BEAACH GARDENA S BELLEB GLADE LOXAHHAATCHEE GROOOVES Closing the gap: LAKEKEK WORTHW TH 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 PALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE 3 154569-PBSC.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:34 AM Page 4 With this campus, we will fill in the gap as far as making education and training opportunities accessible for all Palm Beach County residents.