Photo Credit: Carol McDonald. From left: Councilman John McGovern, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind, Ava Parker, J.D., Mayor Anne Gerwig, Palmer the Panther, Carolyn Williams, Kimberly Lancaster, Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone, and Councilman Michael Drahos.
(Loxahatchee Groves, Fla. – Aug. 10, 2023)— Palm Beach State College received a special proclamation recognizing its 90th anniversary from The Village of Wellington during a village council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
Accepting the honor on behalf of the College from The Village of Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig was PBSC President and Wellington resident Ava L. Parker, J.D. Joining her from PBSC was Chair of the District Board of Trustees Carolyn Williams and Dean of Academic Affairs at the Loxahatchee Groves campus and PBSC alumna Kimberly Lancaster.
At the meeting, Parker, who gave brief opening remarks, introduced Williams, another Wellington resident who shared her appreciation to the village and its partnership with PBSC.
“Thank you all so much for this honor,” Williams said. “You have been an integral part of the establishment of our Loxahatchee Groves campus, and we really appreciate that. “We look forward to continuing our partnership, growing the area and welcoming Wellington students to our campuses.”
Others who spoke at the event were Lancaster, who talked about PBSC’s economic impact in the community, as well as Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone and several council members.
“Ninety years is quite an accomplishment,” said Napoleone, who noted that his wife received her Associate in Arts degree from PBSC and his son is going to start classes at PBSC this fall term.
“The fact that my son can stay home and get to work while he’s in school is wonderful. What PBSC provides to our community is fantastic.”
As a thank you to the village, PBSC gift bags that included emerald paper weights were given to the mayor, council members and others.
The Village of Wellington proclamation marks 17 municipal proclamations to date presented to PBSC by municipalities in Palm Beach County. The next proclamation to be presented recognizing PBSC’s historic anniversary will be from the Town of Juno Beach on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023.
Throughout the year, PBSC will celebrate its 90th anniversary milestone with activities such as campus celebrations, open houses, innovation initiatives and capital projects. Stories will spotlight the achievements of alumni, students, faculty, staff and community partners on the College’s website. Social media posts and special events will use the hashtag #PBSC90th.
To learn more, visit Palmbeachstate.edu/90th.