We Are Gold!
What are the true measures of educational success? At Palm Beach State College, we believe the performance of our graduates is a leading indicator.
Palm Beach State College recently achieved the highest category of Gold in state performance funding, one of only seven Florida colleges to do so this year. This distinction underscores the importance of our efforts to ensure that our students leave with more than a degree or certificate; their education also should provide the knowledge, skills and opportunities that empower them to meet their personal and professional goals.
In this special issue of Contact, we are sharing the remarkable stories of dozens of our alumni. They hail from all walks of life and professional sectors. Some are at the pinnacle of career success, achieving national and even international acclaim for their contributions. Others are just starting out or have reached their career midpoint, with more accomplishments on the horizon. All recognize that PBSC was instrumental in shaping their future.
Our alumni tell us they are excited by the College’s growth and its leading role in the economic vitality of Palm Beach County. This year, we celebrated the opening of our fifth campus in Loxahatchee Groves. We are now serving west-central communities with the same commitment to student success that has been our hallmark since 1933.
Success doesn’t happen on its own. So many in the county have been integral to our achievements over the years. These leaders contribute to our students’ success in many ways—from serving on our Business Partnership Councils to funding scholarships. In March, we announced receipt of a $1 million planned gift from Jan Winkler and Hermine Drezner, a Palm Beach Gardens couple with a passion for education. As Mr. Winkler says in these pages, “We believe in PBSC.” Thankfully, they, and countless others, do.
As you read this issue, we hope you will feel our Panther Pride in the achievements of our faculty, staff, students, and the more than 100,000 PBSC graduates making their mark in the world. Your success is our goal—and the real gold we strive for every day.
Ava L. Parker, J.D.
President
Palm Beach State College