Palm Beach Gardens Lving - April 2026

6 PA L M B E A C H G A R D E N S L I V I N G | A P R I L 2 0 2 6 S ometime in the 13th century, the word Champion finds its way into the French vernacular, its etymology derived from Latin: Campio (meaning “fighter”), originating from Campus (meaning “field of battle” or “contest”). It is fitting then that each Palm Beach State College campus has become synonymous with champions and championing the good fight for students and the community through the power of higher education. ATHLETICS As you may have recently read, Palm Beach State’s Women’s Beach Volleyball team has earned triple crown-type honors during the past three years. And there’s more. In February, the Palm Beach State Women's Basketball team claimed the state’s FCSAA (Florida College System Activities Association) Division II championship for the fourth consecutive year, defeating Florida State College. With a team GPA of 3.52, the Lady Panthers have earned a berth in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) DII Gulf South District Championship Game, led by Maureen Smith, FCSAA DII’s Coach of the Year. As for the men’s team, they’re the #1-ranked team in the country at the time of this writing. On March 7, they won the NJCAA Gulf South District Championship, securing a spot in the NJCAA DII Men's Basketball tournament. Leading the team to its first conference championship since 1978, Tae Norwood has also been named Coach of the Year for FCSAA Division II Men's Basketball. With a couple of coaches of the year, Palm Beach State has been racking up championship teams, leaders, and groundbreaking initiatives outside its wide world of sports. HEALTHCARE On March 17, Palm Beach State’s Dental Hygiene students showcased their skills and the impact of the new Dental Health and Innovation Building at the Loxahatchee Groves campus. The College’s Give Kids A Smile event, a program launched by the American Dental Association, provides free dental services, including cleanings, exams, and X-rays, to children in our Palm Beach County community. Earlier this year, Palm Beach State celebrated the opening of its Medical Simulation Suite on the Lake Worth Campus. Equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology, the Suite serves as a hub for nursing students to excel at responding to medical emergencies, preparing them through real-world scenarios to serve the community’s healthcare needs. Committed to ensuring the best medical practice, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, HCA Healthcare, Palm Beach Health Network Physician Group, Quantum Foundation, and Lost Tree Foundation have helped fund Palm Beach State’s latest advancements in medical simulation, contributing to the College’s impressive 95% job placement rate for nursing graduates. Moreover, with statewide projections expecting a shortage of 60,000 nurses by 2035, medical training through simulation has never been more essential to meet an urgent demand. WORKFORCE Palm Beach State College’s workforce training programs are making waves across the state of Florida. Recently, senior officials of the U.S. Department of Education visited the College’s Public Safety Training Center and saw firsthand the significance of these programs in action. U.S. Department of Education Undersecretary Nicholas Kent, U.S. Deputy Undersecretary James Bergeron, and Florida Department of Education Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell visited Palm Beach State during a tour of Florida colleges, witnessing the tremendous impact on our community’s workforce and well-being. For every 100 first responders working in Palm Beach County, 85 complete their training with Palm Beach State. Hopefully, you’ll never require these services. But, if you do, know that the care you receive comes from the College’s highly trained graduates as well as the generosity of those who support its Public Safety program. Overall, Palm Beach State College is experiencing a modern-day renaissance, boasting championship teams, enhancing individual well-being, and developing the local workforce in truly exceptional ways. Be assured that none of these advancements and victories EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR AChampion for Good - By Dean Glorioso - - Photos by Carol McDonald and Palm Beach State College - PBSC Men's Basketball Team PBSC's Give Kids a Smile