Palm Beach State College graduates urged to reach high at 2025 spring commencement ceremonies

Palm Beach State College welcomed Florida Sen. Mack Bernard, Mayor of Palm Beach County Maria G. Marino and Florida Rep. Meg Weinberger as the keynote speakers during the College’s 2025 spring commencement ceremonies at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach Bernard spoke at the 9 a.m. ceremony, Marino at 12:30 p.m. and Weinberger at 4 p.m. During the ceremony, which was livestreamed on PBSC’s website, PBSC awarded degrees and certificates to 2,450 graduates including more than 1,500 graduates of the Associate in Arts degree program and nearly 1,000 graduates of the Associate in Science, Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degree programs and the certificate programs, including 132 dual enrollment students, the largest cohort in the College’s history. Graduates also included five on PBSC’s Beach Volleyball team who helped led the team earlier this month to a historic third national NJCAA title. They are Salome Galvez, Giovana Bock, Ava Andreotta, Isabel Schattauer and Patrycja Kabala. Bernard, who has also served as the deputy vice mayor for the city of Delray Beach and mayor and county commissioner of Palm Beach County, told graduates he received the only C of his college career in a PBSC psychology class after getting orthoscopic knee surgery. “I was sitting in the back of class with my crutches next to me, and if you had asked me then whether I’d ever be giving the commencement address at Palm Beach State College, I would’ve laughed,” he told the crowd. But 15 years later, he came back to help change the name of the College as a state senator. “I was proud to carry the bill that changed the name from Palm Beach Community College to Palm Beach State College. Because this institution had evolved it had become a place of transformation, of ambition, of launching futures. It deserved a name to match.” [caption id="attachment_26527" align="alignleft" width="533"] From left: Sen. Mack Bernard, Maria Marino and Rep. Meg Weinberger[/caption] Bernard encouraged graduates they don’t have to have a perfect journey to make a powerful impact. “You don’t have to get straight As. You don’t have to win every election. You just have to keep moving forward,” Bernard said. Marino also shared in those sentiments during the 12:30 p.m. ceremony and told graduates to remember something she learned on the board of the golf organization The First Tee called The Nine Core Values of the First Tee. They are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, confidence, responsibility, respect, perseverance, courtesy and good judgment. “These aren’t just for golfers. They’re not just for leaders. They’re for all of us.” She also told graduates to have crucial conversations, humility and balance. “The world you’re stepping into is complex. It needs leaders who are bold but also wise. People who know when to speak and when to listen. Who can dream boldly and act with purpose. It needs you. And I have every confidence that you are ready.” The last speaker, Weinberger, who serves on the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee, the Select Committee on Property Taxes, and the State Affairs Committee, talked about the importance of relationships. “Whether with your classmates, professors or mentors, relationships are the greatest assets as you venture into the world. It’s through connections that we find support and understanding. Cherish and cultivate them.” She also told graduates that the principles of forgiveness, grace, hope, perception, and the importance of listening and maintaining relationships should guide them in the years to come. Also addressing graduates at each ceremony was District Board of Trustees Chair Jon Harrison and PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “Palm Beach State has prepared you uniquely for this moment. Not just with knowledge but with the kind of practical, real-world experience that matters,” said Harrison. Parker added “Remember, you are the strivers, reinventors, explorers, and influencers of our region. My wish for you is that you lean into life after graduation, and into your communities wherever you are, with the same dazzling energy and imagination you showed while you were here. So, stay curious, stay connected, and keep pushing the boundaries of what you can achieve.” For more information on PBSC's graduation, click here. To view photos from the 9 a.m. ceremony, click here. The 12:30 p.m. ceremony is here and the 4 p.m. here.