Joel Bolante has been named director of Flagler College’s Public Administration Degree (PAD) program for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Four Flagler College professors were selected as recipients of the college’s newly-established Kenan Distinguished Professorships this spring — endowed positions that recognize excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.

The Historic St. Augustine Research Institute, a group that contributes to local historic preservation efforts, have awarded their annual William L. Proctor award of $1,000 to Dr. Thomas Graham for his most recent book, “Silent Films of St. Augustine” (University Press of Florida).

Joe Provenza, the man behind Flagler’s technology curtain, is stepping down from his role as Chief Information Officer today after 18 years at the college. But ask a colleague about his impact, and what you’ll hear has less to do with technological advancements than the director’s legacy of good character and leadership.

President Joyner hosted the annual Sociable Association of Satisfied Saints (SASS) luncheon and award ceremony on Thursday, April 19. The retired faculty members of SASS chose Nick Cuffy as this year’s scholarship recipient. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a student within any major, with a superior grade point average who also demonstrates financial need.

Professor Don Martin finishing here, but already starting “something else”

Flagler College’s Leslie Gordon welcomed Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), a non-profit clinic in downtown Jacksonville, to be this semester’s clients in her consumer behavior course. Gordon’s consumer behavior class is a senior-level marketing course that blends studies of psychology, sociology, anthropology, and communication.

This isn’t just another story of a handful of women beating the odds and defying gender stereotypes; this is the story of the pioneering women who broke through the ultimate glass ceiling. “Cracking Aces: A Woman’s Place at the Table” is a feature-length documentary about the women making strides in the male-dominated realm of high-stakes poker. The film was produced by Flagler College communication professor, Dr. Tracy Halcomb.

Flagler College recently welcomed Dr. Jessica Stowell as the college’s new director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. As director, Stowell will assist academic departments with evaluation and assessment and provide support for program reviews, accreditation visits and reporting to government and other external agencies.

The “Spotlight” series offers a glimpse into the lives of those who work behind the scenes to provide an enriching experience for Flagler College students. Faculty and staff featured in the series will be included in periodic faculty and staff newsletters.

Before Hurricane Maria struck his home country of Dominica, Flagler student Nickel Cuffy tried to contact his family members, to warn them of the powerful storm charging toward the island nation. But efforts, he said, “were futile.”

With around 60 student clubs and organizations, Flagler College has to have someone in charge of such groups, and that’s where Kristina Lombardo comes in. Previously the assistant director of Residence Life, Lombardo is the new director of Student Activities. She is the person behind events such as the infamous Harry Potter Week and Flagler Fest, just to name a few. “College is such a crucial time in students’ lives, and I enjoyed my college years so much, so I want to make sure our students enjoy their time as well,” Lombardo said.

Flagler College’s Dr. Michael Butler, along with WJCT and Florida Humanities Council, will host a film screening and panel discussion on the new documentary “The Vietnam War” on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Flagler College.

Flagler College recently welcomed 14 faculty members to campus. Those individuals with a “Visiting Lecturer” title represent a new rank, elevating former adjunct instructors to full-time teaching and advising responsibilities.

This year marks the 500th commemoration of the Protestant Reformation, the 16th-century upheaval that redefined the Roman Catholic Church. This summer, Flagler College students enjoyed the unique opportunity to study the transformative period at the University of Dresden in Germany, as part of an interdisciplinary-transatlantic program titled “Faces of Faith: Late Medieval and Reformation Germany.”

Six Flagler College students recently returned from a 10-day adventure in Belize, where they worked on research to help save the critically-endangered Hicatee turtle, experienced first-hand living sustainably deep in a tropical rainforest, witnessed wildlife thrive in its native habitat and snorkeled the country’s barrier reef.

Two Flagler College professors, four alumni and two current students recently attended a symposium commemorating the 800th anniversary celebration of the 13th-century Franciscan leader Saint Bonaventure. The conference, held at The Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University in New York in mid-July, was dedicated to the cultural and religious dynamics that shaped the scholar’s theology and spirituality.

Flagler College has joined the international arena of historic preservation. Dr. Leslee F. Keys, the college’s assistant professor of History and director of Historic Preservation and Special Initiatives, has been elected to the 21-member Board of Trustees of the United States chapter of the International Commission on Monuments and Sites (US/ICOMOS).  She is the member representing Florida, and one of four newly-elected trustees.

For Flagler students in the college’s Natural Sciences department, the classroom is as much the marsh, wetlands or any other coastal habitat surrounding St. Augustine as it is the lab on campus. Their studies in the field often yield valuable research and play a significant role in better understanding the area’s ecosystems.

This week officially marked the start of Dr. Joseph G. Joyner’s tenure as the fourth president of Flagler College. He succeeds Dr. William T. Abare, Jr., who served in the role for 16 years before retiring this June.