Palm Beach Atlantic will commemorate Homecoming, Family Weekend and the inauguration of ninth President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn in a celebration Oct. 7-10.
You can view details of Schwinn’s installation here and the schedule of events for Homecoming & Family Weekend here.
Schwinn’s inauguration ceremony is 10 a.m. Oct. 8 at Family Church Downtown, 1101 S. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach. She assumed the role of president on May 4, 2020. Her formal installation was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Palm Beach Atlantic was one of only a small percentage of colleges and universities to fully open and remain open for in-person instruction.
Previously, Schwinn was associate vice president for medical affairs, dean of the Carver College of Medicine, and professor of anesthesiology, pharmacology and biochemistry at the University of Iowa. Schwinn has served in senior leadership roles at the University of Washington and Duke University.
Alumnus Carter Viss will speak at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 in the DeSantis Family Chapel. Viss lost his arm, and nearly his life, when he was hit by a boat while snorkeling near The Breakers on Thanksgiving Day in 2019. He has turned the accident into advocacy for ocean conservation.
PBA trustee, alumnus and parent Steve Scalici will speak in chapel 11 a.m. on Thursday.
Throughout the weekend, Admissions will offer campus tours for younger siblings or relatives of PBA students. Parents may visit a class on Friday.
The 39th Great American Bug Race, PBA’s longest running tradition, will resume 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday in the Rinker Parking Lot. Parents and alumni will gather for prayer and an Anchor Worship Night Thursday evening.
Other activities include a discounted West Palm Beach food tour, the West Palm Beach Green Market, a legacy walking tour of campus with Patrick Moody, son of PBA founding President Dr. Jess Moody, athletics contests, musical performances, an opening reception for the exhibit in the Tauni de Lesseps Art Gallery, trivia, the Sailfish Jack’d strength competition, a family Workship project and Sunday brunch at the Fraser Dining Hall.
