Palm Beach State College’s Loxahatchee Groves campus held its inaugural Harvest Fest on Thursday, Oct. 27 to raise awareness of the college and its local programs.
The recruitment event, which was sponsored by the Foundation for Palm Beach State College and attended by more than 200 people, featured a showcase of PBSC’s programs, hayrides, face painting, a mini farmers’ market, photo opportunities with Palmer and more. Partners were Basore Family Farms in Wellington and the Tractor Supply Company in Loxahatchee Groves.
“The event had a great family atmosphere with a lot of Panther pride,” said Student Activities Manager Cynedra Blake, who helped organize the event along with Outreach Program Specialist Stankeisha Burchell-Webb. “It was exciting to be able to engage with faculty, staff and students and partner with the community.”
Those in attendance included philanthropist Frank DiMino, who the campus’ Center for Medical Innovation is named for; local children including ones from Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School; local high school students; Kimberly Lancaster, dean of academic affairs for the Loxahatchee Groves and Belle Glade campuses; Edward Willey, PBSC’s dean of health sciences; Tracey Olsen-Oliver, interim dean of student services at the Palm Beach Gardens campus; Boca Raton campus Facilities Manager Frank Atkins; Sheila Scott-Lubin, PBSC’s interim associate vice president of academic affairs; Amy Scandrett, PBSC’s director of donor relations and advancement events; and Brett Larsen, PBSC’s campaign and special gifts manager.
“As folks involved in agriculture in the Glades, we were very happy to provide our support to the campus and help make this event have a beautiful look and feel,” said Krista Basore, co-owner of Basore Family Farms with her husband Stephen.
Community vendors who participated in the Oct. 27 event were: Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Loxahatchee Groves; the Loxahatchee Reptile Sanctuary; the Riverwalk Toastmasters Club; the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; R.C. Hatton Farms in Pahokee; Florida Crystals Corporation; Erneston & Sons Produce in West Palm Beach; Southern Kitchen in Lake Park; Good Karma Squad in Lake Worth; the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association; Gift of Life in Boca Raton; YouFit Gym in Wellington; and PBSC’s TRIO and Dental Health programs.
