Sam Lenes always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and Palm Beach Atlantic University, or more specifically the Rinker School of Business, was just the place for him to pursue his dreams. “Most of my professors were people who were out in the field for the first 15-20 years of their career getting real world, real business experience,” said Lenes, the 2023 graduate who was a finance and marketing double major. “They were wonderful, and I was finally learning about subjects that I cared about.”
Lenes was able to use the knowledge he gained from the Rinker School of Business and apply it to starting his own business, Rolling Hills Coffee Company, which he started his freshman year. “All of my professors were a tremendous help, even outside of the classroom. When I had a business question, my professors were the ones I would go to for advice and feedback.”
PBA provided Lenes with the support and experience he needed for his business to flourish and gave him the tools he needed to bring ethical principles into the business world. “I have learned that having the best product, service, and experience for your consumers is the best way to glorify The Lord in business. When you are serving your customer to the best of your ability, you gain credibility. The Rinker School of Business has taught me how to serve with Christian morals and principles, and I am so grateful to have that foundation.”
This story is just one example of countless students whose lives have been impacted by PBA’s business school, which is growing at a tremendous rate. On May 5, Palm Beach Atlantic University announced that it earned AACSB accreditation for the Marshall E. Rinker Sr. School of Business.
Widely regarded as the gold standard of business education, this accomplishment places us amongst the top 6% of all business schools around the world. Further, PBA is one of just eight Christian universities in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) to receive AACSB accreditation.
“Obtaining AACSB accreditation will help the Rinker School of Business attract, retain, equip, and graduate the business workforce of tomorrow that is needed in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County,” said Dr. Brian Strow, Dean of the Rinker School of Business. “We are proud to be part of an organization dedicated to the continuous improvement of business education at the highest level.”
President Schwinn spoke about the significance of earning AACSB accreditation at a university right in the heart of West Palm Beach. “This is a pivotal achievement for PBA in our ‘Wall Street South’ business environment,” she explained. “Our goal at PBA is to produce Christ-first, Kingdom-minded leaders who are able to make an impact in their communities, in the country, and in the world. Biblical values are the core of what PBA provides for our community, and we are equipping students to possess high integrity in their field.”
Stephanie M. Bryant, Executive Vice President and Chief Accreditation Officer of AACSB, also spoke to this milestone, and to the commitment to excellence that PBA instills in all areas of education at PBA. “Palm Beach Atlantic University’s commitment to earning accreditation is a true reflection of their dedication—not only to their students, alumni network, and greater business community but to the higher education industry as a whole. Today’s students are tomorrow’s business leaders, and the addition of the Marshall E. Rinker Sr. School of Business to the network of AACSB-accredited business schools will have a lasting positive impact on their institution, both locally and globally.”
