Rob McCarty was five years old when he picked up a surfboard in his hometown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Thanks to his passion, and a degree from Flagler College, he’s yet to put one down.

I love listening. It’s not only one of the most important traits a leader should have, but it’s also one of the favorite parts of my job. As the new president of Flagler College, it’s a joy to hear stories of students, faculty, staff and alumni who are doing incredible and inspiring work.

For new Flagler College President Joseph Joyner, education has been in the family for four generations. His grandmother taught first grade for 40 years. His father and mother were both teachers, and his father went on to become a school principal.

Jose Mizrahi, ‘17, won more than $1,000 and bragging rights when he claimed the top prize in Flagler’s first-ever “Lion’s Cage” competition, based on the popular TV show “Shark Tank.” He also landed a job with one of the judges.

Many scientists dream of working for an organization like NASA. For one Flagler College Tallahassee graduate, that dream has become a reality. Eighth-grade science teacher Katrina Roddenberry, ‘08, became a member of the inaugural Space Exploration Educator Crew this year, sponsored by Space Center Houston. She was one of 36 teachers from across the country chosen for the elite group, which is an extension of the Space Exploration Educator Conference.

In the seventh grade, Flagler College alumna Terri Samson, ‘05, watched a film that shaped the trajectory of her life. “Mr. Holland’s Opus” is a movie about a music teacher obsessed with leaving behind a musical legacy. Only, it wasn’t the main storyline that grabbed her, but rather a subplot about the lead character’s difficult relationship with his deaf son.

Flagler grad Patrick Perkins, ‘02, is heading up Microsoft’s marketing efforts in the company’s Education division, and his rise in the Fortune 500 company is in no small part due to two core principles he’s practiced since college: work hard and trust your instincts.

Flagler College spring graduate Alex Banks was recently named Fulbright Scholar by the U.S. government’s prestigious program and will be heading to Malaysia in January to serve as an English instructor in a rural school.

In rural communities in Uganda, some children neglect their homework at night — not because of laziness, but because of lack of light.

Flagler broke ground in May on a $23 million downtown St. Augustine project that includes a 52,800-square-foot residence hall and 551-space parking garage on the corner of King and Malaga Streets.

Ask Flagler pitcher Michael Maiocco the secret to juggling his many interests and passions — whether it’s stepping up to the mound, carrying a 4.0 in his demanding Graphic Design degree, creating art or working as a missionary — and his answer sounds more like a self-help expert than an athlete: it’s all about time management.

The Flagler College Athletics Hall of Fame inducted its 13th class during May’s Alumni Weekend. The Flagler College Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2004, and since then, 56 people and one team have been inducted, including this year’s class.

For Julianne Black, ‘98, writing and illustrating children’s books began with the simple experiences and inspirations of raising a 3-year-old daughter. Now, thanks to 3-D experiences like augmented reality books, Black’s passion for children’s storytelling is helping kids across the country.

Associate Professor of Art Leslie Robison is the catalyst behind the college’s Artists-in-Residence course, where 11 students last spring practiced art as a form of community engagement with St. Augustine’s Council on Aging and St. Francis House, a local homeless shelter.

Flagler College is implementing programs for active duty military personnel and veterans, and the offerings will be supported by a new advocate: the college’s first director of military recruitment. Selena Hernandez-Haines, a Flagler alumna and retired commander in the U.S. Navy, joined the college’s administration in June.

In 2014, Luis Gonzalez had a moment when he realized his dreams might not materialize into the better life he had imagined. His job at a design studio in New York City was unfulfilling, he couldn’t find a new one and the city failed to deliver on its unspoken promise of opportunity.

Flagler College’s student Enactus team placed third at the Enactus U.S. National Exposition in May after reaching the Final Four round of judging.                

After 15 years at the helm, Dr. Abare sets retirement for next year

As an eighth grader, Gareth Paul Cox, ‘07, would peer into his school library every morning on his way to homeroom and watch the other kids recording the CCTV school news. The experience would convince him to take a class in TV production, and the cinematographer hasn’t put a camera down since.

In 2011, when alumna Starr Sink Ratto, ‘99, husband Sam Ratto and partner Chris Heavener opened Videri Chocolate Factory in downtown Raleigh, N.C., they were one of about 30 businesses nationwide that specialized in a particular variety of chocolate-making, known as bean-to-bar. Now, that number has swelled to 180.