Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc.

08/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/17/2026 14:05

PBA Celebrates the Start of the 2026-27 Academic Year

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On Monday, August 17, Palm Beach Atlantic University held its annual Community Day celebration. The annual event held a week before the official start of classes each fall allows faculty and staff an opportunity to reflect on and recommit to the collective mission and vision of PBA through worship, fellowship, food and a charge of encouragement from PBA President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn and other leaders.

This year, as the over 375 part-time and full-time faculty and staff gathered, a special feature included a new Spiritual Life affirmation practice, with members of the PBA community reading aloud shared commitments rooted in the University's mission - to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and equip students to pursue lives of purpose and service.

Celebrating Outstanding Faculty and Staff

Another highlight of Community Day is the opportunity to celebrate the excellent service of PBA's dedicated faculty and staff. The 2026 Charles and Hazel Corts Award for Outstanding Teaching was presented to Dr. Jackie Esquiaqui, associate professor of chemistry.

Now in her seventh year at PBA, Dr. Esquiaqui was recognized for a strong commitment to her students both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to teaching, Dr. Esquiaqui helps to develop online courses and serves as a faculty adviser for the Summer Undergraduate Research program, known as SUGAR. She also serves as the faculty lead for the SACSCOC reaffirmation process.

Nominations for the Corts Award are submitted by students and faculty. A committee recommends the recipient, and the president makes the final decision. One nomination for Dr. Esquiaqui said she "exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated and caring educator, one who inspires, supports, and empowers students to reach their full potential."

Diego Espinal, senior community liaison, was the recipient of the Employee of the Year Award. Colleagues nominate employees for the award, which recognizes staff whose outstanding efforts and achievements exceed performance expectations.

Though Espinal has been at PBA for a relatively short time, he is known for his exceptional organizational skills, ability to foster collaboration across the University, and remarkable capacity to learn.

In addition to the awards, Dr. Schwinn recognized faculty promotions, conferred professional medallions on newly recognized full professors, and celebrated employees who have served five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years at PBA.

Celebrating New and Returning Sailfish

Executive Vice President of Advancement Laura Bishop during her Q & A session, with Dr. Schwinn shared encouraging statistics about the incoming class, noting that approximately 1,000 freshmen and transfer students will soon arrive on the PBA campus. These new students represent 46 states and 41 nations.

"This is an opportunity for us to welcome students who may be coming from faraway places. said Bishop. "We want to be mindful of the privilege we have to shape these young lives for Christ."

The youngest freshman is 16 years old, while the oldest undergraduate student is 54. The incoming class includes 300 first-generation college students, and the most popular declared majors among the new students are nursing, finance and business administration.

Abiding in Christ

Each year, the president selects a verse to center the PBA community in God's Word. This year, Dr. Schwinn and her executive team selected a verse that reminds the university community that the results of its work do not come from its own strength or talents. They come from abiding in Christ.

John 15:5 says, "I am the vine: you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (NIV)

Reflecting on this passage of Scripture, Campus Pastor, Dr. Bernie Cueto likened "abiding" to a tea bag, which produces its best flavor when it remains steeped in water, not dipping in and out. Pastor Bernie acknowledged that the busyness of each school year can make it easy to overlook opportunities to abide in Christ. Nevertheless, he encouraged the PBA community: "Before you serve Him, sit with Him; and while you serve Him, stay connected to Him. Remember to remain desperately dependent and constantly in contact with Him."

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Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc. published this content on August 17, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 17, 2026 at 20:06 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]