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USPS Publication Number 16300

T h is C om mu n it y Ne w sp ap er is a publ ic at ion of Es c a mbi a-S a nt a R os a B a r A ss o c i at ion

Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icia l Ci rcu it Section A, Page 1

Vol. 22, No. 30

V isit T he S ummation W eekly O nline : SummationWeekly.com

July 27, 2022

1 Section, 8 Pages

BUILDING ON TR ADITION – INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

2022 PENSACOL A STATE COLLEGE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS by Morgan Cole

ive highly-accomplished Pensacola State College (PSC) alumni, former students and community leaders were honored at the annual PSC Distinguished Alumni Association Awards Gala held Saturday, June 11 in the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio at WSRE-TV on the Pensacola campus. From scholarship endowments to organizing fundraising events for scholarships to benefit both current and future students, each of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Association Award recipients have shown continuous support for Pensacola State College. This year’s awards gala kicked off with a special welcome from PSC Alumni and Athletics Executive Director of Development, Hailey Lotz, who thanked guests, sponsors and this year’s award recipients for attending the event and for their continued support of the College. “This event celebrates the achievement of outstanding individuals,” Lotz said. “Tonight is about our heritage and history. We have gathered to recognize greatness and to honor individuals who have shown dedication to a higher purpose.” PSC Alumni Association President, Mr. Lane Harper, provided the opening remarks, and Brent Lane, program director for Cat Country 98.7, served as the master of ceremonies for the evening. Mr. Harper and PSC President Dr. Ed Meadows presented the awards to each recipient based on five categories: Lifetime Achievement, Hometown Hero, Against the Odds, Spirit of Pensacola State College and Road Less Traveled. During the gala, Dr. Meadows also took a moment to honor PSC associate professor, alumna and coach, Carla Williams, who recently lost her life in a domestic violence tragedy. The 2022 PSC Distinguished Alumni Association Award recipients are:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Dr. Paul Szuch This award is presented to an alumnus or alumna who has reached state, regional or national recognition, and represents the highest level of achievement in their profession or service. Szuch has devoted his life to education. His own entry into higher education came in the 1960s when Szuch earned an Associate of Arts degree from Pensacola Junior College. Szuch went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Business Education from the University of West Florida, a Master of Education in Business Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Doctorate of Higher Education degree from Nova Southeastern University. Szuch’s first teaching job came in 1968 when he joined Escambia High School’s faculty as a business education instructor and assistant baseball coach. His educational journey continued for decades, culminating in Szuch serving as president of the Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont, Texas. He served honorably as the Lamar Institute’s president from 2006 until his retirement in 2016. Under his leadership, the Lamar Institute of Technology reached many milestones, including the establishment of dual enrollment programs and a Distance Learning Academy. HOMETOWN HERO The Honorable Marie Young This award is presented to an alumnus or alumna who has achieved a measure of success within the College’s service area and has

demonstrated notable community involvement. Young is a Pensacola legend who has dedicated her life to education and the community. She has served on the Pensacola City Council and was the first African American woman to serve on the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. But even before she was an elected official, Young had already built a legacy of service—having taught for the Escambia County School District for more than 40 years. She eventually became a school administrator and, later, a principal. Young is a member of the PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors and is also a Lifetime Charter Member. She was voted to the emeritus board position in 2020. Young has also served on boards for the WSRE-TV Foundation, the Council on Aging of West Florida, the Area Housing Commission and the Community Equity Investment Board. AGAINST THE ODDS Gregg Beck This award is presented to an alumnus or alumna who has achieved success despite financial, sociological or physical adversity. Beck overcame a tough childhood on his journey to becoming both an entrepreneurial and business success. When Beck’s father died in the late 1960s, the 17-year-old left Pensacola Technical High School to get a job and bring a paycheck home for his family. Determined to not give up on his education, he enrolled in Pensacola Junior College High School in 1967. In 1981, Beck created BECK Property Company/ Beck Partners, which has been a dominant commercial broker in Pensacola ever since. The firm’s development/redevelopment projects include 33 Brent Center, the Shops of East Hill, 151 West Main Street and Bayou Corporate Center. The company is now run by Beck’s son, Justin. Beck now serves as an appointee on the RESTORE Advisory Committee which oversees the distribution of funds paid by BP to

recover from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He also serves on the Escambia County Zoning Variance Board and supports the Fred Waters Baseball Clinic. SPIRIT OF PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE - Gerry Goldstein This award is presented to an alumnus or alumna who exemplifies the highest standards of achievement through making a significant and lasting impact on the lives of others through service to the College and/ or local community. Goldstein is a successful businessman and educator who has become a leader in investment banking and has also helped raise funds for student scholarships over the past 12 years. Goldstein also launched the popular annual PSC Quail Hunt, a major fundraiser for the PSC Alumni Association’s matching funds program. He also hosts the alumni association’s annual Quail Hunt and Pheasant Shoot each fall. Goldstein and his wife, Mitzi Goldstein, along with friends—retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Adams and his wife, Dr. Laura Magan—established an endowed scholarship for PSC students in any field of study. Goldstein’s latest academic project is focused on PSC’s College of Business; the project allows PSC students who pursue a Dr. Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Business and Management to take the first two courses in UWF’s MBA program, while still enrolled at PSC. Upon completion, students will have a direct path to UWF’s MBA degree and will have already finished about 10 percent of the program. ROAD LESS TRAVELED Mary Hoxeng The “Road Less Traveled” award is presented to an individual in the community who follows their heart in a direction that is both challenging and uncertain, with rewards beyond expectations. Even though Mary Hoxeng and her husband, Dave Hoxeng, didn’t move to the

area until 2002, the media power couple just seem like Pensacola natives, as they have dedicated themselves to making the community better and stronger. The couple owns four local radio stations— CatCountry 98.7, NewsRadio 1620/92.3, WEBY-ESPN 1330/99.1 and the recently-launched Playlist 94.5. Mary is the general manager and chief operating officer of all four stations, all of which boast a strong local flavor and community commitment. The Hoxengs have been supporters of PSC since their arrival and recently established the Dave and Mary Hoxeng Endowed Scholarship, which will provide educational opportunities for PSC journalism students. She is a PSC Alumni Association Lifetime Charter Member and serves on the Escambia County Tourist Development Advisory Council, the Escambia County Sheriff ’s Foundation Board and the Florida Five Flags Fiesta Commission. She also serves on the board of Five Flags Rotary Club, the Council on Aging of West Florida, ARC Gateway and is the Leadership Pensacola Alumni Board Chair. During the gala, a series of video tributes from various community and business leaders, elected officials, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson IV and attorney Jim Reeves, were broadcast to all five award recipients. Also in attendance was Pensacola City Neighborhoods Administrator Lawrence Powell, who served as one of the speakers for the evening. He said that the event was “historic in the fact that we’re going to have the opportunity to add to the roster of the many, many individuals who have served this community of ours selflessly and also with many sacrifices.” For more details on the 2022 PSC Distinguished Alumni Association Award recipients or the PSC Alumni Association, visit alumni.pensacolastate.edu. •

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