Flagler College will kick off its new academic year Saturday, Aug. 19, when approximately 700 new first-year students arrive to campus. Classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
To facilitate students’ move-in process and to ease traffic congestion on Aug. 19, Valencia Street will be open eastbound-only from Sevilla St. to Cordova St. between 6:00 a.m. to approximately 6:00 p.m. Vehicles traveling on Cordova St. will not be allowed to turn onto westbound Valencia St. unless authorized by the St. Augustine Police Department. The streets most affected will include Valencia, from Malaga to Cordova Streets; Sevilla, from Carrera to King Streets; Carrera, from Cordova to Riberia Streets; and Malaga, from King to US Highway 1. In general, traffic congestion should be expected around Granada and Cedar Streets and Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.
Move-in Day marks the start of a week of new student orientation activities that are part of a program called “Building Your Legacy.”
Flagler College
Dr. Leslee Keys joins international preservation board
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 for 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.
Founded in 1965, US/ICOMOS is the single professional preservation organization in the U.S. with an international emphasis, fostering heritage conservation and historic preservation at the worldwide level. The organization promotes strong ties between national, regional, private and governmental organizations within the U.S. and the international preservation community.
“I am honored to be elected to the Board of Trustees,” Keys said. “This opportunity provides an opportunity to promote the heritage of Flagler College and St. Augustine. More importantly, Flagler is building its international programs, and a relationship with US/ICOMOS and this network of professionals can foster opportunities to inspire the next generation of scholars to serve as stewards for international cultural resources.”
Keys has been an employee of the college since 2005, after serving as an adjunct faculty member for three years. Before joining the Department of Humanities faculty in 2012, she served as the director of corporate, foundation and government relations in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She has been involved in historic preservation in Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida and has served as guest faculty for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and UF’s Preservation Institute: Nantucket. Keys is the author/editor of five books on history and preservation.
Town and Gown Committee shares 2016-2017 progress report
Flagler College’s Town and Gown Advisory Committee recently released its first progress report, outlining accomplishments and highlights of the 2016-2017 academic year and future priorities.
The committee — an extension of the Town and Gown Task Force, which disbanded in June of 2015 after presenting its final report and recommendations — serves as a channel for representatives from the college and community to discuss mutually relevant issues that impact the campus and city.
According to the report, highlights of the committee’s work this past year included the establishment of a student-only online rental blog, in which students can inform one another about available apartments and interactions with landlords; the implementation of a reporting system to handle behavior complaints made to the St. Augustine Police Department or Flagler College; and the participation of the committee in the college’s new president selection process.
“The Town and Gown Advisory Committee has made tremendous progress as we try to bridge important issues that affect the city of St. Augustine and the Flagler College campus,” the committee stated in the report. “This year we are building on that momentum as we continue collaborating on several issues and priorities that will bring benefits throughout downtown’s historic district.”
Some of the committee’s continuing and future priorities include generating greater awareness of the college’s improvement plans, identifying new ways of engaging the community in college-sponsored events and facilitating discussions between the college and City and St. Augustine on the regulation of rental properties and future rental inventory.
Advisory committee members include residents Becky Greenburg, Susan Rathbone, Judith Seraphin, Clyde Taylor, Irene Arriola and chairman John Versaggi and Flagler College representatives Paige Armstrong, Dan Stewart and Laura Stevenson.
A detailed annual report on the Town and Gown Advisory Committee can be found here.
Flagler College honors Abare with tribute to ‘46 years of Making an Impact’
Flagler College President Dr. William T. Abare Jr. at tribute ceremony Wednesday night
More than 450 people paid tribute to retiring Flagler College President Dr. William T. Abare Jr. on Wednesday night, with a sendoff that included the announcement that a new student residential complex will be named Abare Hall and the presentation of a presidential medal.
The event celebrated Abare’s career at Flagler, which has spanned 46 years, including 16 as president of the college. He will step down from the presidency at the end of June.
Flagler Board of Trustees Chairman Frank D. Upchurch III made it official that the $23 million student housing complex under construction on King and Malaga Streets along the banks of the San Sebastian River will be named for the president. It will open this fall, and will house 148 upperclassmen. He also presented Abare with the Flagler College Presidential Medal, which has only been given to one other person: former President and Chancellor William L. Proctor.
Speakers heaped praise on Abare for his years of service. “His legacy is evident when you look across this campus, and even the town,” said Flagler alumna Diane Evia-Lanevi, ’87. “However, I believe his greatest legacy lies in the relationships that he has forged with the students and the alumni throughout his 46 years here at Flagler College.”
Assistant Professor of Humanities Steve Voguit said he was always drawn to Abare’s sincerity and passion for what he was doing. “Bill Abare cares deeply about this place,” he said. “But most importantly, he cares so much about the students who choose to come here, and about those of us who are fortunate enough to teach here.”
Other speakers included former St. Augustine Mayor Greg Baker, former Flagler Board of Trustees member Delores Lastinger and Chancellor Proctor, who gave a tribute to Abare’s wife, Susan.
Abare has been president of Flagler College since 2001, and has worked at Flagler College since 1971 when he was hired as director and dean of Admissions. Prior to serving as president, Abare was executive vice president and dean of Academic Affairs at Flagler for 12 years.
He announced his retirement in spring of 2016 saying, “The more I thought about it, I realized there was never going to be a perfect time. There will always be another initiative to begin, another program to get underway, another project to start and finish, another fundraising effort to mount. There isn’t a perfect time. I just felt like this was the right time.”
Dr. Joseph G. Joyner, former superintendent of schools for the St. Johns County District in St. Augustine, was named president of Flagler in November and will officially begin July 1.
Flagler and University of Florida develop bridge program for Sport Management majors
Flagler College President William T. Abare Jr. and Dr. Michael B. Reid, Dean and Professor, College of Health & Human Performance, University of Florida, sign agreements between Flagler and UF for a Sport Management Bridge Program for undergraduate Flagler students on May 22, 2017. Others pictured, from left to right: Incoming Flagler President Dr. Joseph Joyner, Flagler Chancellor Dr. William Proctor, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Yvan Kelly, Flagler Trustee David Drysdale, Flagler Sport Management Chair Dr. Calvin Hunter, and Dr. Michael Sagas, Department Chair and Professor, Department of Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management, University of Florida
Flagler College and the University of Florida have announced a new bridge program for undergraduate students at Flagler who may be interested in pursuing a graduate degree at UF in the area of Sport Management.
The Flagler College Sport Management Department bridge program with UF’s College of Health and Human Performance will allow students at Flagler to take up to three online graduate-level courses at UF while still enrolled at Flagler.
“This bridge program is a wonderful opportunity for students at Flagler, and a significant milestone for the college,” said Flagler President William T. Abare Jr. “A partnership with a premier institution like the University of Florida speaks volumes about Flagler’s upward trajectory.”
The bridge program will be an opportunity for students interested in a Master of Science in Sport Management degree at UF to get a jump start on the program. Courses available at UF will include Evaluation Procedures in Health and Human Performance, Management and Leadership in Sport, Sport Psychology, Performance Enhancement, Training High Performance Athletes and more.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to partner with Flagler on this innovative new bridge program,” said Dr. Michael Reid, dean of the College of Health & Human Performance at UF. “Sport Management students will simultaneously study under top-flight faculty at both Flagler and the University of Florida, a unique experience that is sure to enrich learning.”
The Sport Management major at Flagler is intended for those who desire to play a leadership role in administrative positions within the ever-growing world of sports, including professional sport at the major and minor league levels, college athletics, sport marketing and sales, event management, community and campus recreation marketing, sales, legal issues and management functions.
The Master of Science in Sport Management degree at UF reflects the latest advances in the field of sport, presenting an equally theoretical and practical approach to skills and knowledge critical to success in the industry. Through its broad but rigorous curriculum, the program helps students develop leadership abilities and administrative proficiency with an eye towards sport management.
Flagler College recognized with two historic preservation awards
Flagler College received two awards from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation at its 39th annual conference in St. Petersburg on May 19.
The former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a National Historic Landmark that serves as the centerpiece of the college, was awarded an Outstanding Achievement honor for Restoration and Rehabilitation.
In preparation for St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary and the Spanish royal visit in 2015, the college, with the help of state grants, completed more than $4 million in repairs to the Ponce. This included hand cleaning the coquina concrete walls and brick details, recasting ornamental terra cotta and repairing windows and doors. The elaborately-adorned, curved Dining Hall wings resplendent with their Tiffany stained glass windows set in a carved wood framework was painstakingly repaired and rebuilt.
Since 1971, Flagler College has invested more than $40 million on preservation or adaptation of its 20 historic properties, most of which has been provided through private gifts.
In addition to the Outstanding Achievement award, Dr. Leslee Keys, Flagler College’s director of Historic Preservation and Special Initiatives, was recognized in the Preservation Education/Media category for her 2015 book “Hotel Ponce de Leon: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Flagler’s Gilded Age Palace.”
Her book details the historic building’s transformation in 1968 from opulent Gilded Age hotel to the centerpiece of the new, private, liberal arts Flagler College. Last year she received the inaugural William L. Proctor Award for the best book published on St. Augustine from the Historic St. Augustine Research Institute, and was recognized by the University of Florida with the first Distinguished Alumni Award in Historic Preservation.
“I am honored that the preservation story of the Hotel Ponce de Leon and Flagler College have been recognized and am fortunate to have been able to present that unique and rich history,” Keys said.
She has served on numerous committees, including the Hotel Ponce de Leon 125th Anniversary committee, the Flagler College 50th Anniversary Steering Committee and is a past president of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.
Women of Vision holds third annual Power of the Purse event
Entrepreneur Jenny Levison delivers keynote address at the third annual Women of Vision
Power of the Purse scholarship fundraising luncheon. (Photo credit: Monarch Studio)
The third annual Women of Vision Power of the Purse® scholarship fundraising luncheon was hosted on May 18 in Flagler College’s Ponce de Leon Hall. The event raises money for student scholarships and opportunities and strengthens connections between Flagler College and women in the community. This year’s luncheon, which drew more than 340 women to the college’s historic Dining Room, featured a silent auction of beautiful and unique purses, as well as a keynote address by entrepreneur Jenny Levison, owner of the Atlanta-based “Souper Jenny” restaurants.
During her talk, “Women Around the Table,” Levison recounted her path, from acting in New York City and Los Angeles, to opening her first restaurant in Atlanta. The two professions, though very different, shared similarities in the lessons they imparted to her: passion is the impetus behind any successful pursuit, and mindfulness of self and compassion for others are critical to living a happy, balanced life.
“I had no business experience when I launched my restaurant,” she said during her presentation. “I did it by the seat of my pants, but I realized that this – cooking soup for others – was feeding my soul.”
The realization not only fulfilled her personal dreams, but provided nourishment for her community, a mission Levison values above all else. For every bowl of one of Levison’s most popular soups sold, the chef donates a bowl to area children and families in need as part of the restaurant’s “The Zadie Project” initiative. “Souper Jenny” currently donates 300 quarts of soup every week to several non-profit organizations in the Atlanta area.
“We all have the power to create community — to touch someone, because you never know what they’re going through,” she said.
Prior to the main luncheon event, attendees had the opportunity to browse 99 auction items, most of which were designer purses ranging in styles, from small cross-body and large totes to satchels and evening purses. Seven vintage purses were available for the first time, and five jewelry items and a Fendi purse were raffled. This year, an Electra Townie women’s bike brought the highest bid.
Attendees browse auction items prior to the main luncheon event. (Photo credit: Monarch Studio)
In addition to auction items, the luncheon included the unveiling of the 2017 Women of Vision Tribute Book, a special publication featuring written tributes honoring women who have inspired or left meaningful impressions. Tributes were purchased in memory of a loved one or in recognition of a living person.
“This year’s Power of the Purse was a stellar fundraiser with great support from the community,” said Dr. Beverly Carmichael, vice president for Institutional Advancement and Women of Vision Board member. “There was a special energy in the historic Dining Hall as the event harnessed the collective power of over 340 women inspired by ‘Souper Jenny’ and the scholarship recipients.”
Proceeds from the event will fund future Women of Vision scholarships. For the 2017-2018 academic year, the number of scholarships increased from three to five. Those recipients included students Yasmeen Anis, Caitlin Croley, Chloe Petito, Thamara Trematerra and Faith Wyluda.
This years annual luncheon drew more than 340 women to Flagler
College’s historic Dining Room. (Photo credit: Monarch Studios)
Flagler College and the Women of Vision Advisory Board extend a sincere thank-you to all the sponsors who helped make the Power of the Purse® event possible, including Bozard Ford Lincoln, Flagler Hospital, Leonard’s, Forrest, Inc., Burkhardt Sales and Service, Anh Vu, M.D., The Bailey Group, Fields Cadillac St. Augustine, Edward and Leigh Moorhouse, St. Johns Law Group, Old City Life, St. Augustine Media and St. Augustine Social and in-kind sponsors Beard’s Jewelry, Blue Water Jewelers, Hybrid Design, Inc., Island Life, Monarch Studio, Neff Jewelers, Nettles Fine Jewelry, Republic National Distributing Company and St. Augustine Distillery.
For more information on Women of Vision, visit www.flagler.edu/wov.
Flagler’s Giving Day exceeds goal for raising money to honor President Abare and benefit students
Flagler College’s third annual Giving Day saw 233 donors (191 of those alumni) raise $67,844 at the college by the close of the day on May 9 — $19,900 more than last year’s Giving Day.
The majority of the money raised for the annual day-long campaign provides undergraduate research opportunities, keeps esteemed faculty members at Flagler and helps the college continue to offer a number of academic programs designed to challenge its students.
This year’s goal was $25,000 — the lead gift amount the college’s Board of Trustees will be donating, and the amount the Board challenged alumni, donors and friends to match, in honor of retiring President William T. Abare, Jr.
“Giving Day was a huge success, thanks to donors from around the globe,” said Beverly Copeland Carmichael, Ed.D., ’72, vice president for Institutional Advancement. “Alumni and friends had the opportunity to fund noteworthy projects and make a real, immediate impact.”
Providing quality education while keeping Flagler affordable is one of the institution’s top priorities. Ninety percent of students rely on some form of financial aid. To meet this need, the college has increased funding for need-based Flagler grants by nearly $700,000 in the last six years. Fundraising efforts have contributed to the increase in funding: More than 1,000 students receive financial aid through the Flagler Fund each year.
Flagler College makes public old photographs, catalogs on new digital archive site
Henry Flagler’s third wife Mary Lily Flagler and their dog Delos, circa 1905
More than 1,000 Flagler College archival items, from yearbooks and college catalogs to historic and college photographs are now available to the public, thanks to a new digital archives project by the college’s Archives Specialist Jolene DuBray. These relics of the past — formerly viewable only during in-person visits — became available online May 5, during Alumni Weekend, when DuBray launched the project.
“With the new digital archives project, we’re starting out with a select portion of old photographs, yearbooks, FLARE magazines and course catalogs,” DuBray said. “There’s definitely been in increased interest in archives. I think that living in an historic town like St. Augustine is part of the appeal.”
The benefits of the new archives project extend beyond satiating the interests of memorabilia aficionados; it’s also a preservation initiative. By viewing items online instead of handling them in-person, long-term damage is mitigated.
“The more items are digitized, the longer the actual object actually lasts,” DuBray said. “We don’t have to take it out and expose it to light. And, a main benefit to digitization is instant access to the archives.”
One of the challenges of the project has been photo identification — of individuals pictured, and the year it was taken. By launching it during Alumni Weekend, visiting alumni served as an investigative resource to help clear up some of those mysteries.
To access the new digital visit here: http://digitalarchives.flagler.edu/.
Flagler College alumni recognized during awards luncheon
From left to right: Scott Briell, Richard “Skip” Abrams, Jessica Griner
Three Flagler College alumni were recognized Friday during the 19th Annual Alumni Awards Luncheon for their outstanding contributions to the areas of service and professional achievement.
Richard “Skip” Abrams, ’80, received the Flagler Service Award for devoting a high degree of service to the college for more than 10 years. Abrams served on Flagler’s Alumni Board of Directors from 2005 to 2013, three years of those as president. He was inducted into Flagler College’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 and is currently a member of the Saints Club Advisory Board.
Jessica Griner, ’08, received the Young Alumni Achievement Award, presented to alumni 32 years of age and younger who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments since graduation. She is currently the program officer at the United States-China Education Trust in Washington, D.C., where she manages the full cycle of programs aimed at developing U.S.-China relations.
Scott Briell, ’91, received the Professional Achievement Award for demonstrating significant accomplishments in his field. He is vice president for Enrollment Management at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
