Category Archives: __news posts

WSRE needs your questions for legislators

WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, is now accepting viewer questions for the upcoming broadcast of “Legislative Review: Dialogue with the Delegation” set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Questions may be submitted in advance by email to questions@wsre.org. Every question must be accompanied by the person’s name and city of residence.

The following legislators of the Northwest Florida delegation are expected to participate: Sens. Doug Broxson (District 1) and George B. Gainer (District 2); and Reps. Clay Ingram (District 1), Frank White (District 2), Jayer Williamson (District 3) and Mel Ponder (District 4).

The program will be moderated by Jeff Weeks.

Collegiate High students observe March of Dimes March for Babies Awareness Day

Some of Pensacola State’s Collegiate High students transformed the southwest entrance of Building 11 into a sea of purple pinwheels on Friday, Nov. 17.

The students – members of the high school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter – planted 502 purple pinwheels in observance of the March of Dimes March for Babies Awareness Day.

“The students planted the 502 purple pinwheels to honor the 502 premature babies who were born in Escambia County in 2016,” explained FBLA adviser Evelyn Gant. “They also raised $150 for the nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.”

PSC Book Talk addresses incarceration and its effects Nov. 15

The human toll of incarceration and its effects on families is addressed at Pensacola State College’s Book Talk at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Edward M. Chadbourne Library, Building 20, on the Pensacola campus.

The public is welcome to this free, informal discussion followed by a question and answer session.

PSC Hosts Vet Tech Open House Nov. 9

Are you interested in a challenging and rewarding career in veterinary nursing? Do you want to learn more about local educational options?

Visit Pensacola State College’s Veterinary Technology program Open House from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, on the Warrington campus, 5555 W. Hwy. 98.

The public is invited to meet the program instructors and tour the college’s state-of-the-art facility in Building 3200. The free event also includes financial aid information and a student association exhibit.

CALLING ALL JACK-O-LANTERN CARVERS

Have you carved an exceptional jack-o-lantern this Halloween?

Share it on Pensacola State College’s Facebook page and you just might win a PSC tumbler.

Out-of-this-world gallery exhibit

It doesn’t look like a spaceship, but the large lecture hall, Room 1590, in Building 15, will zoom you through the galaxy via “When Worlds Erupt,” the space art of Merry Edenton-Wooten.

This exhibition is an intriguing collection of oil paintings she produced in1986 that explore the possibility of eruptions on various celestial bodies.

“We were going to have a planetarium show of ‘When Worlds Erupt’ and I had to imagine eruptions or lava flows or vents spewing material in order to have worlds erupting,” Edenton-Wooten commented about the impetus for her images.

PSC Planetarium to host Stress Less Week events

As part of Stress Less Week ─ Dec. 4-8 ─ the Pensacola State College Planetarium will present two music shows, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” and “Let It Snow.”

All of the showings will be in the Planetarium, Building 21, on the Pensacola campus. The events will be free for Pensacola State students, faculty and staff with current college ID. The public is not invited to these college-only shows.

Three authors share Vietnam War memories at PSC Book Talk Nov. 8

Three local authors share their Vietnam War experiences at Pensacola State College’s Book Talk at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Edward M. Chadbourne Library, Building 20, on the Pensacola campus.

The public is welcome to “Same War, Different Duty” a free, informal discussion followed by a question-and-answer session.

Retired Marine Col. Richard Upchurch, Scott Harrington and Sandra Lockney Davis discuss the differences and commonalities of their service, providing a fascinating mosaic of America’s war in Southeast Asia.

PSC Pirates are looking for a few good boosters

Pensacola State College Athletics would like you to become part of the Pirate Nation by joining the Pirate Booster Club.

“We are kicking off what should be a great season of Pirates basketball, with the Pirates baseball and softball seasons soon to follow,” said Pensacola State Athletic Director Bill Hamilton.

“All proceeds directly support athletic scholarships, equipment, travel and other needs for all of our athletic programs. Plus, Pirate Boosters get to know other boosters during the game in ‘preferred seating,’ and enjoy an evening watching our young men and women on the court.”

PSC, FSU Panama City sign articulation agreement for transfer students

Pensacola State College and Florida State University Panama City administrators have partnered to make it easier for PSC students to transfer to the university.

The articulation agreement,  Direct Connect ─ Pensacola State College to FSU Panama City, will allow Pensacola State students easier access to the university’s four-year bachelor’s degree programs.

The articulation agreement also includes a reverse transfer clause that will allow Pensacola State students who have not completed all necessary courses for an associate in arts degree to transfer to FSU Panama City and complete those remaining A.A. degree courses at that campus. Once these courses are completed, the student is officially awarded the A.A. degree from Pensacola State College.

Pensacola State students shine at FCS publications awards ceremony

Pensacola State College students won an impressive number of awards at the 2017 Florida College System Publications Association Awards held Oct. 11-14 in Orlando.

The Corsair won second in the General Excellence category along with six first-place awards, two other second-place awards and four third-place awards. Dr. Paula Ingram is the faculty advisor for the student newspaper.

The Kilgore Review placed first in the General Excellence category in the Magazine, Division A, and won three other first-place awards, five second-places and two third-place awards. Mike Will is the literary magazine’s faculty advisor.

PSC Concert Chorale and Jazz Choir Perform Free Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Pensacola State College presents the Concert Chorale and Entertainers Jazz Choir in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at the Ashmore Auditorium, Building 8, on the Pensacola campus.

The public is invited and no tickets are required. Seating begins at 7 p.m.

Ashmore Auditorium honey bee colony moved to new home

A family of “bee-nevolent” residents were relocated from Pensacola State College to sweeter climes – well actually Pace – on Friday afternoon.

Beth and Chad Cooper of Cooper Taxidermy removed a 100,000-plus honey bee colony that had built a multi-layered hive in one of the magnolia trees near Ashmore Auditorium.

Pensacola State to host 35th Gulf South History and Humanities Conference

The First Seminole War will be the theme of the 35th Gulf South History and Humanities Conference set for Oct. 5-7 at the Pensacola Beach Hilton.

Hosted by Pensacola State College, the conference is an annual event sponsored by the Gulf South Historical Association ─ a consortium of colleges and universities in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

July Talent of the Month

Jeffery Archie, a carpenter in Pensacola State College’s Facilities, Planning and Construction Department, has been named the July Talent of the Month by Kelly Services.

Archie who has been with the college for 15 years was nominated by his supervisor, Diane Bracken because of his outstanding work ethic.

PSC students give back during service-learning project

Thirty-three Pensacola State College dental hygiene students recently helped provide free dental screenings, oral hygiene instructions and fluoride treatments to Special Olympic athletes and their families.

The service learning activity ─ held Friday, Sept. 29, at Community Maritime Park and Blue Wahoos Stadium ─ was the brainchild of Pensacola State Endowed Chairs, professors Donna Mathias and Barbara Tarwater.

Pensacola State rolls out Quality Enhancement Plan

Pensacola State faculty and staff were introduced to the college’s QEP – Quality Enhancement Plan, The Pirate PATH to Success – during recent meetings held on the Pensacola, Milton and Warrington campuses.

President Ed Meadows shared the details of the QEP where college administrators – to ensure student success – identified issues, solicited input and reviewed student success data and information on national best practices.

Galactic Cowboy Orchestra performs at PSC Sept. 30

The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra performs an eclectic mix of art-rock and jazz fusion at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Pensacola State College’s Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, Building 8, on the Pensacola campus.

Nominated for Best ‘Beyond’ Band by Downbeat Magazine two years running, Galactic Cowboy Orchestra stretches musical limits with intensely energetic art-rock. This genre of rock often encompasses poetic lyrics and complex harmonic sounds derived from jazz and classical music.

‘Broadway’s Next H!T Musical’ onstage at PSC Sept. 28

The hilarious “Broadway’s Next H!T Musical” is presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Pensacola State College’s Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, Building 8, on the Pensacola campus.

“Broadway’s Next H!T Musical” is New York City’s only original, unscripted theatrical awards show. Master improvisers gather fabricated hit song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music and laughter.

PSC Hosts Free ComposerFest XIII Oct. 8

Come enjoy the original music of local and regional composers at Pensacola ComposerFest XIII, at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8, at Pensacola State College’s Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, Building 8, on the Pensacola campus.

The free event provides an opportunity to hear a variety new vocal and instrumental music written by contemporary composers, most of whom are attending the event. Several works on the program are world premieres. 

‘Broadway’s Next H!T Musical,’ Galactic Cowboys to entertain at PSC

The last weekend of September will be a busy one for entertainment seekers.
The hilarious “Broadway’s Next H!T Musical” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Pensacola State College’s Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, Building 8, on the Pensacola campus.
On Saturday, the Galactic Cowboy Orchestra will bring its eclectic mix of art-rock and jazz fusion to the college. The 7:30 p.m. concert also will be held in Ashmore Auditorium.

3 Pensacola State police officers promoted

Three Pensacola State College Public Safety Department officers have been promoted. Shane Brannock, Rick Steele and Rodney Rani …

PSC nursing students exceed state average on national licensure exam

Pensacola State College students in registered nursing (RN) and practical nursing (LPN) programs recently outscored their state counterparts on the National Council Licensure Examinations.

On the first attempt, PSC practical nursing students achieved a 91.7 percent pass rate and registered nursing students achieved an 85.3 percent pass rate on the NCLEX in comparison to statewide pass rates of 68.1 percent and 76.7 percent respectively.

AFC leaders visit Pensacola State College

Robert Flores, 2018 president of the Association of Florida Colleges, along with AFC Executive Director Michael Brawer visited Pensacola State College on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The two executives set in during the Pensacola AFC Chapter’s General Membership Meeting. They also spoke to members about the 2018 Legislative Outlook and other issues facing higher education in Florida. Flores and Brawer are pictured with some members of the college’s AFC chapter executive committee.

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF PICK A BOWL/ FILL A BOWL EVENT

Manna Food Pantries is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Pick A Bowl and Fill A Bowl on Friday, Sept. 22.  The fundraising event will be held from 6PM – 8PM at Hartsell Arena/Ross Center on the Pensacola State College campus. Tickets are only $30 and can be purchased online at www.MannaHelps.org.  For each ticket sold, Manna will provide healthy food for a week for someone in need.

Each participant will receive a handmade bowl thrown by a local potter plus enjoy samplings of soup from over a dozen restaurants.  The evening will also include a silent auction featuring unique original works and music by local band Bring On The Benjamin’s.  Participating restaurants include Classic City Catering, Four Seasons, Nancy’s Haute Affairs/Skopelos, Pot Roast & Pinot, and The Grand Marlin to name a few.  Local WEAR newscaster Bob Solarski will also be cooking up some delicious soup for the crowd.

U.S. News ranks Pensacola State among nation’s best colleges

Pensacola State has been ranked as one of the best colleges ─ regionally and nationally ─ by U.S. News and World Report. Published annually, the report ranks more than 1,400 private and public colleges and universities and is a guide to help parents and students select schools.

In the “Best Colleges 2018 Edition” report, Pensacola State tied for 4th in Top Public Schools ─ Regional Colleges ─ South and is the highest ranked college in Florida. PSC also ranked No. 28 in overall Best Regional Colleges South.

Among national colleges and universities, Pensacola State ranked No. 11 in Best Schools for Veterans and No. 147 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (no doctorate).

Hurricane Irma Updates

Pensacola State College Update 9/11/17 11:30 a.m. Pensacola State College to Resume Normal Operations Tuesday, Sept. 12. All Pensacola State College campuses and centers will resume normal operations Tuesday, Sept. 12. This includes all classes, events, campus activities and online courses. *Students taking online courses who have been impacted by the Hurricane Irma and not…

PSC honors three Employees of the Year

Pensacola State College recognized three Employees of the Year at a recent ceremony. Colleagues, friends and family filled the lecture hall in the new Charles W. Lamar Studio Gallery as PSC President Ed Meadows presented awards and called attention to the accomplishments of each honoree.

The Administrative Award went to Mary Graves, senior computer systems analyst, who joined the information technology services department in 1993.

Graves was praised as the unsung hero who never says “can’t be done” in response to a data request. Her ability to gather, organize and make sure that data is reported accurately was cited as essential to the success of ITS projects.

Career Service Awards were presented to Diana Taylor, accounting specialist, and Scott Russell, maintenance specialist.

PSC Kamerman Piano Series presents Marina Lomazov in concert Sept. 17

The Kamerman Piano Series at Pensacola State College presents classical pianist Marina Lomazov at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, in the Ashmore Auditorium, Building 8, on the Pensacola campus, 1000 College Blvd.

Praised by critics as “dazzling” in the New York Times, “a diva of the piano” in the Salt Lake City Tribune, and “a mesmerizing risk-taker” in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ukrainian-American pianist Marina Lomazov has established herself as one of the most passionate and charismatic performers on the concert scene today.

A Steinway Artist and winner of numerous international piano competitions, Lomazov has performed in nearly all 50 United States and throughout South America, Europe and Asia. She has given major debuts in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Kiev. Additionally, she has performed as soloist with the Boston Pops, Rochester Philharmonic, Eastman Philharmonia, Chernigov Philharmonic in Ukraine, and KUG Orchester Graz in Austria.

PSC Welcomes Increased Enrollment In Fall Term

Pensacola State College is welcoming an increased enrollment for fall term that began Aug. 21. PSC President Ed Meadows announced that total headcount is up 6.7 percent, and the fall-to-fall retention rate is up more than 6 percentage points from last year.

“We are working to increase those numbers even more as students register for our C session that begins Sept. 12 and D session that begins Oct. 17,” Dr. Meadows said.

PSC holds auditions for quirky musical ‘The Addams Family’ Sept. 5-6

Pensacola State College invites area actors to audition for the quirky musical, “The Addams Family,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 5-6, at the Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, Building 8, on the Pensacola campus.

Production dates are Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5. Rehearsals are 7-10 p.m. Monday through Friday until the performance.

“The Addams Family” has numerous roles with auditions for singing and dancing. Wear comfortable shoes for simple dance moves and bring at least 16 bars of music to sing. An accompanist will be provided, so you can bring sheet music or recorded accompaniment. Casting is open to members of the community as well as students.

Meet Switzer Distinguished Artist Jacqueline Bishop at PSC Switzer Gallery Sept. 14

The public is invited to meet the 2017 Switzer Distinguished Artist, Jacqueline Bishop, at a reception 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center, Building 15, on the Pensacola campus. Bishop will present an artist talk at 7 p.m.

Bishop’s intricate renderings of flora and fauna are featured at the Switzer Gallery now through Oct. 6. All Switzer Gallery events are free and open to the public 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Tours are available with prior arrangements.

Bishop’s exhibition, “A Drop of Water, a Grain of Sand,” showcases her work from 1986 to 2016 and reflects the absolute beauty and mystery of the natural world. Her paintings, works on paper, and installation are influenced by years of traveling through Latin American forests, experiencing Hurricane Katrina, and documenting the BP Oil Spill.

Pensacola State gives back

The Pensacola State College Student Government Association collected items for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Students, administrators, faculty and staff donated non-perishables such as bottled water, diapers, baby food, pet food and other items that were delivered by Two Men And A Truck to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Two Men and A Truck franchisee, Greg Micklos said he started ‘Truck 4 Texas’ with no intention the initiative would be picked up by other franchises across the country. Micklos’ plan is to pack as many trucks as possible with supplies to donate to victims of Hurricane Harvey.

2017 Switzer Distinguished Artist Jacqueline Bishop featured at PSC Switzer Gallery Aug. 21-Oct. 6

Intricate renderings of flora and fauna by 2017 Switzer Distinguished Artist Jacqueline Bishop are on exhibition at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Building 15, at Pensacola State College from Aug. 21 to Oct. 6.

The public is invited to an artist reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, with an artist talk at 7 p.m. All events are free and the gallery is open to the public 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Tours are available with prior arrangements.

Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Leonard Pitts speaks at Pensacola State College Aug. 30

Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. addresses “Saving America: Politics at the Crossroads” at Pensacola State College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio, WSRE Building 23, on the Pensacola campus.

In a career spanning more than 35 years, Pitts has been a columnist, a college professor, a radio producer, a novelist and a lecturer. His stellar newspaper career began at the Miami Herald critiquing music. Within a few years, he received his own column where he has dealt extensively with race, politics and culture from a progressive perspective. Today, his Miami Herald column is syndicated in more than 250 daily newspapers.

Safely view Solar Eclipse at two PSC locations

Pensacola State College is providing a safe opportunity for the public to view the highly anticipated solar eclipse at two locations Monday, Aug. 21.

June Talent of the Month

Kristen Kuykendall has been selected as the Kelly Services Talent of the Month for June.
Kuykendall is the administrative assistant in Pensacola State College’s maintenance department. She joined the college family about four months ago.

The former Minnesota resident said the accolade was totally unexpected.

“It’s kind of awesome! I wasn’t expecting it and didn’t even know they did it.” She said. “This was a very nice surprise.”

Meet Monique Collins, assistant dean of student services

Dr. Monique Collins’ life mission is to ensure Pensacola State College students are successful. She joined the Pensacola State family in 2001 as an academic advisor. Dr. Collins is now the college’s Assistant Dean of Student Services and supervises student registration and retention.

“The ultimate reward in my job is seeing students and their families at commencement. I have helped many of them personally over the years – so I have watched them grow. So, to see them basking in the excitement of graduation is always the ultimate reward for me,” she said.

An advocate of state and community colleges, Dr. Collins said the institutions are life-changing.

Unconventional cellist Ben Sollee brings genre-bending concert to PSC Aug. 26

Innovative cellist and singer-songwriter Ben Sollee kicks off the 59th annual Lyceum Series at Pensacola State College with an unconventional twist at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Ashmore Auditorium, Building 8, on the Pensacola campus, 1000 College Blvd.

Pensacola State College ranks 3rd among 28 Florida State Colleges

Pensacola State College is ranked third among Florida’s 28 public state colleges in the 2017 Top 10 list for Florida, according to Schools.com, an online nationwide resource with a database of more than 8,000 2-year and 4-year institutions

2 PSC students win silver medals at national advertising competition

Two Pensacola State College students won silver medals at the 2017 American Advertising Awards national conference held in June in New Orleans.
Current Pensacola State student Zack Blessing and Amber Sidner, who graduated in December 2016, were among the winners in the AAF Student American Advertising Awards competition.

PSC student-nurses hosting donation drive for Gulf Coast Kid’s House

The PSC Student Nurses Association is hosting a Gulf Coast Kid’s House Donation Drive beginning today, July 25-Aug. 25 on the Warrington, Pensacola and Milton campuses.

Donations may be dropped off at designated boxes around each campus.

Kids College 2017

Kids College is in full swing at Pensacola State College. Along with tie-dying T-shirts, mask-making and website building, campers are also learning the basics of fishing and other sports and activities. Sessions continue through Aug. 9, it’s not too late to enroll. Register and find out more at: http://ow.ly/MGns30bM5sa.

Get ready for the Solar Eclipse Aug. 21

The sky is slated for a spectacular show – a total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21. And you can see it for the simple price of looking up. Telescopes will be set up outside the PSC Planetarium from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 21. The partial eclipse begins at 12:05 p.m. and reaches maximum coverage of 82 percent at 1:37 p.m. The eclipse ends at 3:03 p.m. locally. Draco Baader filters and eclipse glasses will be available for the public to use.

Employee Spotlight

As Pensacola State College Director of Public Safety and Police Chief, Sean Fagan has a lot of responsibilities – however, the longtime law enforcement officer is up for the task.