Graduating seniors, their families and Beacon faculty celebrated the graduation milestone as the college awarded 12 associate’s degrees and 60 bachelor’s degrees at the 2025 Commencement Exercises. READ MORE | | Beacon College recently announced that it is expanding the goal of its historic capital campaign by $2.5 million. READ MORE | | | | |
Two of Beacon College’s most cherished campus venues received new identities during recent dedication ceremonies honoring the philanthropic spirit of two donors who have made major gifts to the college. READ MORE
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The conversation in education about disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence has become one of the more common in the field. At Beacon College, however, emerging tech has been a part of the conversation since the institution hired George Hagerty as its president 12 years ago. READ MORE
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With summer approaching, many Beacon College students are preparing to build their résumés and gain hands-on experience, including Colin McLaren.
McLaren is set to spend his summer at the renowned Bronx Zoo, where he’ll brave the heat, haul hay bales, and share his passion for animals with the public. He hopes the experience brings him closer to his dream of becoming an African elephant zookeeper.
READ MORE
| | | | Dustin Boise is realistic when it comes to artificial intelligence’s place in art education. The Beacon College professor of studio arts understands that AI is here to stay but his goal has been to teach students its role. READ MORE | | |
Beacon College is excited to announce the appointment of Ryan McCabe to its Board of Trustees. His decades of leadership experience in business operations, strategic planning, and marketing will provide invaluable insight as Beacon College continues to advance its mission and growth. READ MORE
| | | | | Beacon College participated with the National Organization on Disability in a webinar for Autism Acceptance Month in April for employees of CDM Smith. The session was moderated by Darryl E. Owens, associate vice president, communications and engagement, and it featured Dr. Oksana Hagerty, dean of the Center for Student Success and disability services coordinator, and Melissa Bradley, director of the Center for Career Preparation. It also featured Margaret Ling, senior manager, partnerships, at the National Organization on Disability. CDM Smith is a global, privately-owned engineering and construction firm providing client service and solutions in water, environment, transportation, energy, and facilities. You can view the panel discussion HERE | | Gretchen Dreimiller, director of library resources at Beacon College, earned two professional credentials this spring. She completed a microcredential in “GenAI in Action: Impact and Possibilities” from the University of South Florida and received a certificate in teaching information literacy from The Ohio State University. | | | | | Dr. Leigh Camacho Rourks, associate professor, participated in a panel discussion at the 2025 Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference in March in Los Angeles, California. The panel, "Divergent Writers: A New Bloomsbury Anthology on Neurodivergence & Ableism," was on Bloomsbury Academic's upcoming anthology on neurodivergence in the creative writing field. Rourks spoke about her experiences as a neurodivergent author and as a professor who teaches neurodivergent students. She contributed the essay, "Teaching Neurodivergent Writers: A Fairly Friendly FAQ." | | Gretchen Dreimiller, director of library resources; Dr. Christopher Huff, associate professor of humanities; and Emily Morgan, assistant director of library resources, presented at the Association of College & Research Libraries 2025 Conference in March in Minneapolis. Their topic: "Giving Neurodiverse Students the Academic Research Skills to Succeed in College." | | | Beacon Voices, the college’s student vocal ensemble, performed its spring program, “Voices United,” in April before an enthusiastic audience at the Beacon Palace Theater. The group, directed by learning specialist Lisa Mauro, presented a setlist that included songs by Michael Jackson, Elton John, Bruno Mars, and others. Members of the ensemble are: Sebastian Amenabar, Thomas Bayman, Stephen Cole, Kaily Frick, Ricky Gonzalez, Katrina Braden, Jacob Holland, Sophia Irvin, Hayden Joyner, Elyse Kahn, Josie McAteer, Eric Morton, Sydney Plant, Joanna Shang, Grace Stupel, Caleb Williams, Glen Williams, Michael Woods and Laura Wright. | | (From left to right: Tevia McNeil, Rina Levitt, and Abby Kempton). | | Three Beacon College students were selected to present their research at the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference in April. Tevia McNeil, Rina Levitt, and Abby Kempton were chosen through a competitive submission process to participate in the conference’s poster session. Their work was selected from hundreds of submissions. The annual conference, held in Denver, features scientific papers, posters and symposia. It is open to members, professionals and students, and supports professional development through the exchange of scientific and professional ideas. | | |
For Earth Day in April, Beacon College's Dungeons and Dragons Student Club and Beacon Green Team hosted a Venetian Gardens Clean Up Event where students collected four 50-gallon bags of trash.
| | | | It’s impossible to miss Beacon College’s new head men’s basketball coach and director of athletics on campus. At 6 feet 11 inches, former NBA center Pat Burke stepped into those roles in March, but he’ll be most visible as the shot caller for a hungry men’s squad with hoop dreams of clinching a New South Athletic Conference championship and cutting down the nets. READ MORE | | Caption: Fernando Medina/Getty Images | | | | |
When his boss asked Jack Lenz, '16, to lead a new initiative in late 2023, he wasted no time. With his typical gusto, the community services worker embraced the goal: To create a food pantry for former foster children living in an apartment complex after aging out of the system. READ MORE
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Alumni Updates
Submit your Beacon College alumni updates, news, weddings, births, etc. for consideration in the next issue of the Lighting the Path newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you! EMAIL US
| | Beacon Salon Speaker Series | | | | |
For the January 2025 Beacon Salon Speaker Series, the Central Florida Community Arts Big Band presented its rousing show, "Hand-Drawn Jazz." For as long as animators have been bringing stories and characters to life, they have looked to jazz composers to lend a sense of energy, improvisation, and whimsy to their creations. Featuring the diverse and dynamic CFCArts Big Band, "Hand-drawn Jazz" is an exploration and a celebration of the intersection of jazz and animation. With music from so many of your favorites like "The Pink Panther," "Toy Story," "The Incredibles," "Cowboy Bebob," and "Encanto," this is a musical experience full of great music and a few creative surprises. Click on the image to view.
| | For the February Beacon Salon Speaker Series, Kimberly Wehle presented on "How to Read the Constitution and Why." The author, journalist, television legal analyst, and constitutional law scholar reveals the essence of America's Constitution with a presentation based on her book, "How to t Read the Constitution -- and Why." In clear, simple terms, Wehle unpacks its significance and relevance today. By incorporating excerpts from the Constitution, she highlights its erosion and why it's crucial for every American to grasp this "red flag" moment in our democracy. Click on the image to watch. | | | | | |
For the March 2025 Beacon Salon Speaker Series, Dr. J. Michael Butler presented "State, Local, and National Campaigns: The Civil Rights Movement in Florida." Dr. J. Michael Butler emphasizes the importance of the civil rights movement in Florida. Like other states, Florida has a complex civil rights history. Understanding this legacy is crucial to understand contemporary race relations in America as a whole.
| | For the April 2025 Beacon Salon Speaker Series, Martina Mathisen presented "Cleopatra, the Last Pharoah of Egypt." Cleopatra springs from the pages of history as Martina Mathisen brings the legendary queen to life in a dynamic presentation. More astonishing than fiction, Cleopatra’s true story unfolds through Mathisen’s portrayal, which highlights the ruler’s bold spirit, political savvy and enduring legacy. The educational and entertaining program offers audiences a fresh perspective on the iconic monarch. You'll meet a queen far removed from the Hollywood image—one whose real-life story is even more compelling. Click the image to view. | | | "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" | | | | |
The February 2025 episode of "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" focuses on "Navigating the Transition to Middle School." We meet a North Carolina student whose family helped her make the successful leap from elementary to middle school. Our panel of national experts share valuable advice and strategies to help parents and caregivers navigate this pivotal time. And you'll meet latest Difference Maker, Scott Steindorff, an accomplished film and television producer and autism advocate with a remarkable track record of award-winning hits. Click the image to view.
| | The March 2025 episode of "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity," focuses on dads on duty parenting neurodivergent kids. We meet a California dad whose son’s autism diagnosis led him on a journey of self-discovery, transforming him into a devoted advocate. We’ll also hear from national experts on the crucial role fathers play in supporting these children. And we’ll introduce a remarkable Difference Maker: Sam Holness, a Guinness World Record-holding triathlete who’s redefining expectations for neurodivergent athletes. Click the image to view. | | | | | The April 2025 episode of "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" examines supporting neurotypical siblings in neurodiverse families. We visit a New Jersey family navigating the joys and challenges of raising both neurotypical and neurodivergent children. Our expert national panel will share practical strategies for fostering connection, understanding, and resilience within the family. And you’ll meet our latest Difference Maker, Jacquelyn Davis, a mother whose son’s struggle with reading led her to create Clever Noodle — a game-changing approach to helping dyslexic children become confident readers. Click the image to view. | | The May 2025 episode of "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" explores career paths for the neurodivergent. We visit a groundbreaking Denver school that’s helping neurodivergent high school students prepare for successful careers. Then, we travel to Pennsylvania, where an innovative firm is creating tailored pathways to help neurodivergent jobseekers gain a foothold in the workforce. Our panel of national experts shares strategies that can help them navigate successful careers. And we'll introduce you to our latest Difference Maker, Maureen Dunne, a noted cognitive scientist and neurodiversity advocate who has shattered barriers and redefined possibilities for neurodivergent individuals. Click the image to view. | | | |
Beacon Salon Speaker Series
| | The ninth season of the Beacon Salon Speaker Series has it all: The Supremes doing opera (and by Supremes, we mean Scalia and Ginsburg), a look at Florida's pivotal role in the film and TV industry, chamber music with an international flavor, 60s rock music, and a journey from klansman to New Age author, and more. Learn more here:https://www.beaconcollege.edu/news-events/salon-series/ | | With profound sorrow, Beacon College announces the passing of Dr. Nicoletta “Nicki” C. Nance, associate professor of human services and psychology, beloved colleague, and champion for mental health and neurodiversity. READ MORE | | |
"Nice guys finish first. If you don't know that, then you don't know where the finish line is."
— Garry Shandling
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