PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE OMMENCEMENT C PROGRAM FALL 2020 PRESIDENT Ava L. Parker, J.D. DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Barbara Miedema, Chairperson Wendy S. Link, Esq., Vice Chairperson Darcy J. Davis Philip H. Ward, III, Esq. Carolyn L. Williams Gabrielle Louis, Student T HE V ISION Palm Beach State College is nationally recognized as an innovative academic leader advancing student success through its unparalleled commitment to excellence, engagement, and dynamic partnerships. T HE M ISSION Palm Beach State College provides accessible, student-centered teaching and learning experiences in academic, technical and lifelong learning to transform lives and strengthen our community. Palm Beach State College, an equal access/equal opportunity institution, complies with all applicable state and federal laws granting rights to applicants for employment or admission to the College, employees, and students and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, and any other factor protected under the law, state or federal, in employment, admissions, or educational programs and activities. F ALL 2020 C OMMENCEMENT P ROGRAM Bachelor of Applied Science Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Associate in Science Degree Associate in Applied Science Degree College Credit Certificate Advanced Technical Certificate Career Certificate Program Certificate Educator Preparation Institute Certificate Associate in Arts D egree 1 P ALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE PRESIDENT ’S ADDRESS AVA L. P ARKER , J.D. FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES My Fellow Panthers, To the remarkable and devoted Fall 2020 Graduating Class: It is with pride and pleasure that I, as president of this incredible institution, confer your degrees and certificates from Palm Beach State College. We would have wished for nothing more than to celebrate this achievement with a full-fledged commencement ceremony, but I am so happy that we found an alternative way to commemorate and share in your accomplishment along with your family and friends. You have realized a level of success amidst unanticipated hurdles, and now you are ready to face the challenges of our world. This fall we awarded 2,778 graduates with a degree or certificate, 1,025 of which are first-generation college students. Our graduating students range in age from 17 to 66, and 63 veterans and active duty military were awarded a total of 50 degrees and certificates. Plus, among our graduates, 619 received at least their second award from Palm Beach State College, and two students are receiving their eleventh award. Your achievement represents a commitment to excellence that has been challenged by unforeseen circumstances. Palm Beach State has put forth a standard of distinction, and you have persevered. Now you are taking your first steps in your career or continuing your education to meet your goals. Graduates, your Palm Beach State College experience is one that will be hard to forget. We now look to you to help us to lead and power this community. Your accomplishment drives us to do better, be better, and help create a better world. Go forth. Go further. And most importantly, Go Panthers! Ava L. Parker, J.D. President Palm Beach State College 2 P ALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR ADDRESS BARBARA J. M IEDEMA FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Dear Graduates, On behalf of the District Board of Trustees of Palm Beach State College, I commend you on this amazing achievement. As the governing body of this great institution, the DBOT takes pride and outstanding pleasure in celebrating this moment with your family and friends. This day will mark a milestone in your journey, a completion of one goal and the embarkation unto another. What may seem like an ending is truly only the beginning. Continue to challenge yourself, like you did over the past several years, and take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. Let today serve as a catalyst to spark your ongoing contributions to our society. We know what a degree or certificate from Palm Beach State College can do to transform your life. In fact, it is what this College does best. And as we continue to add resources and educational opportunities that benefit our surrounding communities, we know that you now have the power to make an even greater impact. You are poised now to achieve your dreams and step into whatever path you choose with a strong foundation, built right here at PBSC. We are so grateful that you chose Palm Beach State for your higher education experience and through your hard word, determination and dedication, you are now a “Panther Proud” graduate. Congratulations to you and may you continue your path to success with pride and strength. Onward and upward you will soar. Barbara J. Miedema Chair District Board of Trustees Palm Beach State College 3 P ALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE PRESIDENT ’S CABINET DEANS AND COLLEGE ASSOCIATE DEANS Ava L. Parker, J.D. REGISTRAR Susan Bierster, M.H.S.A. President Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Velmarie L. Albertini, Ph.D. ERP Functional Manager, Dean, Curriculum Lake Worth Campus Peter R. Barbatis, Ed.D. Vice President, Student Services Holly Bennett, Ph.D. Susan M. Caldwell, M.A. and Enrollment Management Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Interim Associate Vice President Lake Worth Campus Interim Provost, Lake Worth Campus Academic Affairs Rachael E. Bonlarron, M.B.A. Barbara M. Cipriano, M.S. Peter Biegel, Ph.D. Interim Dean, Business, Trade Executive Director, Interim College Registrar and Industry, Community Engagement Lake Worth Campus Special Assistant to the President Sheri E. Goldstein, Ph.D. Dean, Student Services, Thomas Gauthier, Ed.D. Associate Dean, Trade & Industry, Tunjarnika L. Boca Raton Campus Lake Worth Campus Coleman-Ferrell, Ed.D. Stephen Joyner, Ph.D. Dean, Student Services Associate Vice President, Enrollment Robert Gingras, Ph. D. Provost, Palm Beach Gardens Campus Interim Dean, Academic Affairs, and Retention, Palm Beach Gardens Campus Lake Worth Campus James Duffie, M.Acc. Don Gladney Ed.D. Dana Hamadeh, M.Ed. Vice President, Finance and Dean, Bachelor’s Degree Programs Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Administration Boca Raton Campus Kathleen S. Kevin A. Fernander, J.D. Karran-McCoy, Ed.D. Jennifer Johnson, M.S. General Counsel Dean, Student Development Interim Associate Dean, College Readiness, Lake Worth Campus Diego Meeroff, M.B.A. LaTanya L. McNeal, Ed.D. Director, College Relations & Marketing Executive Dean, Kimberly Lancaster, M.B.A. Belle Glade Campus Dean, Academic Affairs, Belle Glade Campus Ginger L. Pedersen, Ed.D. Patricia V. Richie, M.S. Vice President, Information Services Dean, Business, Trade & Industry, Lake Linda Lebile, Ph.D. Worth Campus Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Michael Pustizzi, M.B.A., M.A. Palm Beach Gardens Campus Executive Director, Human Resources Sheila E. Scott-Lubin, M.Ed. Dean, Academic Affairs, Jyrece McClendon, M.S. Bernadette M. Russell, Ph.D. Lake Worth Campus Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Vice President, E-Learning and Boca Raton Campus Roy M. Vargas, Ph.D. Instructional Technology Dean, Academic Affairs, Provost, Boca Raton Campus Becky Mercer, Ph.D. Boca Raton Campus Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Palm Beach Gardens Campus David A. Rutherford, M.A. Edward W. Willey, M.S. Vice President, Institutional Advancement Dean, Academic Affairs, Belinda Mouradian Executive Director of the PBSC Belle Glade & Loxahatchee Associate Dean, Health Sciences, Foundation Groves Campuses Lake Worth Campus Dean, Health Sciences Roger Yohe, Ph.D. Carlos F. Ramos, M.S. Vice President, Academic Affairs Van P. Williams, M.S. Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Dean, Student Services, Lake Worth Campus Lake Worth Campus Richard E. White, M.F.A, M.Ed. Interim Associate Dean, Arts & Humanities Lake Worth Campus 4 P ALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE ACADEMIC MACE The Academic Mace is a descendant from weapons in ancient and medieval times that were carried by bodyguards. Over time, the mace became a symbol of peaceful leadership, and academic maces represent the authority that has been invested in the president by the college’s Board. The mace is carried in processions by a high official or a representative of the Governing Board. At Palm Beach State College, the mace is carried at every commencement by the faculty member with the longest tenure at the College. The Palm Beach State College mace is a tinted glass flame. The College seal is embedded in this glass flame, symbolic of scholars igniting the quest for knowledge. At the base of the flame are golden pillars proclaiming various areas of study pursued at the College. 5 P ALM B EACH S TATE C OLLEGE ACADEMIC ATTIRE The academic attire worn at commencement ceremonies today is based on a history of tradition which began in medieval Europe. At a time when the general type of clothing worn was the robe or gown, individual rank or wealth was indicated by colors and materials. As trades, professions, guilds and universities developed, distinctive variations came into being to identify the various members' individual affiliations. Universities gradually modified the gowns, capes, hoods and caps into distinctive forms to identify an individual's level of academic achievement. In the 1890s, American colleges and universities agreed upon a somewhat uniform application of the academic regalia. Typically, scholars with the bachelor's degree wear the unadorned black robe. Those with the master's degree also wear a hood lined with the colors of their college and trimmed with the specific color designated for their academic discipline area. The doctoral degree robe additionally has three velvet bars on each sleeve, and the hood is more ornate. At Palm Beach State College, all associate degree, certificate and diploma graduates wear a black gown and mortar board with tassel.