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PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE8TH EDITIONA L U M N I ASSO C I AT I O N N E WS L E T T E RSUMMER 2021Patrice S. Whitten Leaves Legacyof Accomplishments at Pensacola State CollegeFormer executive director of Alumni Associationfirst came to College as a studentFor more than 28 ½ years, Patrice S. Whitten hascalled Pensacola State College her home awayfrom home.On Aug. 31, 2020, Whitten retired as theexecutive director of the PSC Alumni Associationand special assistant to the President. Over hertenure at the College, Whitten has beeninstrumental in many measures including there-establishment of the PSC Alumni Association,which has raised more than 700,000 inscholarships to benefit students. 290,000 of thosescholarship dollars were raised as a result of theDistinguished Alumni Awards, one of Whitten’s lastmajor events hosted at PSC.Leading the PSC Foundation, Whitten, raisedmore than 24 million, and is credited with theSesame Street Pre-School Education Program grantas part of WSRE’s Educational Outreach Program.“The College offered an opportunity to becomeinvolved with education, public television andcharitable giving, and I jumped at the opportunity,”said Whitten, who was the marketing director at thePensacola News Journal before joining PSC.“These qualities really aligned with my interests andprovided a path to become more engaged inpromoting philanthropy in our community.”Whitten first joined the College as PBSDevelopment Director for WSRE from 1992-1994,and then as Chief Development Officer. She wasthe Executive Director of the PSC Foundation andOffice Development from 1994 until 2012, whenshe moved into the Alumni Association position.She has worked for four PSC presidents —Drs. Ed Hartsell, Charles Atwell, Tom Delaino andEd Meadows.“I worked with Dr. T. Felton Harrison (as astudent in my role as the Student GovernmentAssociation president, we met monthly to discusscollege agenda items and SGA activities), as wellas Dr. Hartsell, who promoted me as the Director ofCollege Development, AlumniAffairs and the PJC Foundation,Dr. Atwell on the capitalcampaign, Dr. Delaino and Dr.Meadows,” Whitten recalled.Meadows describes Whittenas the essence of PensacolaState College.“Patrice has been a championfor the College, its students,administrators, faculty and stafffor so many years,” he said.“She has gone over and beyondin her dedication to ensuring ourstudents have scholarships, ouralumni are involved and honored,and our graduates know theyalways are a part of PensacolaState College.”Meadows added Whitten“has given much of her life tothis institution and has changedthousands of lives throughher hard work, leadershipand service.”Whitten was an active student — serving as SGApresident and secretary, a Delta Chi Omegasorority member, recipient of the Faculty LeadershipAward and active in intramural sports. She describedthe period as lifechanging.“The knowledge, friendships and leadershipexperiences gained while attending collegeguided and defined my decisions and deepenedmy ties to the Pensacola community. Engagementin extracurricular activities broadened my horizonsand expanded my social connections. Servingas the SGA president sparked my interest inpolitical science. There I learned to navigate thepolitical landscape of state and local government,”she shared.Patrice S. WhittenShe listed the establishment of the Ross C. andMargaret S. Shiver Endowed Scholarship, namingand dedication of the Kugelman Center forTelecommunications, the M.J. Menge Bell Towerfundraising and dedication, overseeing theCollege’s first comprehensive capital campaign,which raised more than 5.3 million in cash andcash equivalents, and the dedication and openingof the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Artsamong her most treasured career highlights whileat the College.“Nothing tops the experience of honoring myparents with the establishment of an endowedscholarship after my father’s passing,”Whitten said.Continued on next pageJoin the Alumni Association Today!ALUMNIA S S O C I A T I O N1www.alumni.pensacolastate.edu
Patrice Whitten cont. from pg. 1“My parents ensured that I had a greateducation and supported me in my endeavors andthe scholarship has been rewarding andregenerative. In the years ahead, we intend togrow the endowment and perpetuate my parents’legacy. My father was in the U.S. Air Force so thescholarship benefits military dependents. At times,my mother and I share the scholarship recipients’stories and enjoy knowing that the funds help them.”Whitten added she most enjoyed engagingwith supporters, friends, alumni and communityleaders at many PSC Alumni Association and PSCFoundation-hosted events.Those same supporters, friends and alumni cametogether in August 2021 and raised 12,500 toestablish the Patrice S. Whitten EndowedScholarship. The 25,000 scholarship wasmatched by 12,500 from the PSC AlumniAssociation, and a surprise to Whitten who is stillactive on the Alumni Association Board.“I’m stunned, I can’t believe this,” Whitten said atthe surprise reception held in the Milton campusL.I.F.E. Center on Aug. 3. More than 50 family andfriends were on hand for the event.When asked what she most missed most aboutworking at PSC, Whitten responded her colleagues.“PSC is such a family-friendly work environment.My advice for newer employees would be to getinvolved,” she said. “Participate in the volunteerand leadership opportunities, make time to serveon policy and event committees and work closelywith colleagues. You will find that you form lastingfriendships and have accumulated a wealth ofprofessional development and career opportunities.”Pensacola State employees who worked withWhitten say she is sorely missed.“As Executive Director of the Alumni Associationand in former roles, Patrice led the way buildingmeaningful and lasting relationships within thecommunity. Pensacola State College has beenenriched by her efforts,” said Hailey Lotz, thecurrent PSC Alumni Association Director.“She is first class, full of integrity, and has been astrong example for young professionals like me. Ifind it to be a tremendous compliment and honor topick up where she left off with the Alumni Association.”Lindsey Garner, Alumni Affairs administrativeassistant, has worked with Whitten for years andtouted her positive attitude and outstandingcustomer service skills.“She supports her coworkers 100 percent. Sheprovides suggestions, advice and encouragesthem often. She makes sure their work doesn’t gounnoticed and gives credit where credit is due,”Garner said. “She respects them just as much asthey respect her. She is a joy to work with.”For the Whitten household, Pensacola State is atradition. Whitten met her husband, Larry, whilethey were both PSC students. The couple’s fivedaughters – Roxanne, Jessica, Nikki, Megan andDana – also began their collegiate journeys atthe College.“We wanted them to start out in a studentfocused and safe environment. They wereimpressed with the professors and the personalizedattention. As they advance in their chosen career“AT A GLANCEPatrice S. WhittenEmployment: Retired Executive Director ofPensacola State College Alumni AssociationEducation: Attended PSC; earned bachelor’sdegree in communication, broadcast journalismand marketing, University of West Florida;Certified Fund Raising Executive since 2002Accolades: 2020 PSC Professional Employeeof the Year, the PSC Patrice S. Whitten EndowedScholarship, the Association of FundraisingProfessional West Florida Chapter’s 2000Fundraising Professional of the YearFamily: Husband, Larry Whitten; five daughters— Nikki (Barry) Whitten Pate, Jessica Whitten,Roxanne Rachel Lavelle, Dana (Josh) McDonaldand Megan (David) Cordingly; and twograndchildren, Lilly and DillanPSC IS SUCH A FAMILY-FRIENDLYWORK ENVIRONMENT. MY ADVICEFOR NEWER EMPLOYEES WOULD BETO GET INVOLVED.”— Patrice S. Whittenfields, they agree that starting out at PSC was agood decision,” Whitten noted.Active in the community, Whitten has served onnumerous boards including the United Way ofWest Florida, Five Flags Rotary, Impact 100,Pensacola’s Women Alliance, Junior League ofPensacola, Symphony Orchestra Guild, PensacolaMuseum of Art and American Red Cross to namejust a few.Patrice S. Whitten as a PJC studentIntroducing Hailey LotzHailey LotzHailey Lotz is Director of the Alumni Associationand Booster Club Operations at Pensacola StateCollege. She oversees the PSC Alumni Association,works with the association’s Board of Directors andorganizes PSC Athletics Booster events.Lotz joined Pensacola State as the Booster ClubOperations Coordinator in 2017. Because ofproven event-planning experience, she wasselected for her current role following the August2020 retirement of Executive Director of AlumniAffairs Patrice S. Whitten. Since then, Lotz hascontinued to build relationships with PensacolaState supporters, business and corporate sponsorsand worked with alumni to provide scholarshipsand program funds.Lotz also has cultivated an enhanced BoosterClub member presence and increased corporate2sponsorship. She successfully managed theInaugural PSC Athletics Hall of Fame (now in itsthird year), improved the annual Athletics AwardsSports Banquet, re-envisioned the Pirate Experience,and secured significant sponsorships.A team player with relationship-building skills,she has worked with the community to build theCollege’s visibility and increased Booster Clubmembership.Lotz served on the committee for the InauguralDistinguished Alumni Awards held in May 2019and volunteered at the Annual Alumni and FriendsQuail Hunt and Pheasant Shoot. The experiencesmade her the natural choice to work with theAlumni Association board and members.
PIRATES GIVING BACKRebecca Merlin finds a sense of belonging at Waffle House, PSCHungry? Pensacola State Collegealumna Rebecca Merlin hasyou covered.Actually, if you’re like me, she’llhave you scattered, covered,chunked and diced. That’s WaffleHouse code for hash browns withcheese, ham and tomatoes.Merlin, who earned a Bachelorof Applied Science in Business andManagement from the College in2019, is the Waffle House recruitingdirector in Northwest Florida. Andthough she’s part of Waffle Housedistrict management now, she’s stillprone to throw on an apron and usea little bacon-scented elbow greaseto help out at any of the 27 WaffleHouse restaurants that are in herrecruitment territory.“One of my favorite things whenI’m in a unit is to throw on an apronand help out,’’ she said. “I’ll check thebathrooms or grab a broom.”Or work the line.“You should have seen meTuesday,’’ she said. “I was coveredin waffle batter before I had to startan interview.”Merlin began working as a waitressat Waffle House in 1996 at age 16.“It was around Christmastime and Iremember I got this Christmas cardfrom everyone at Unit 393 (a WaffleHouse restaurant on Highway 29),’’she recalled. “It said, ‘Thanks formaking Waffle House your home’and everyone signed it. It was asense of belonging, a feeling that thisis my home.”In 2003, Merlin thought she mightlike to be a schoolteacher, so shestarted taking classes to earn a degreein education, while still working atWaffle House. But she soon decidedteaching “wasn’t for me.”She left Pensacola State butreturned years later to pursue a“making more money than I everthought I would make. My job is tofind good people and offer themgood-paying jobs in our town.”Merlin’s daughter, Lillian Sellers, isa Pensacola State nursing studentand Merlin herself is alwaysencouraging Waffle Houseemployees to pursue a collegeeducation at PSC if possible.Her best friend, Toni Smith, is aPSC graduate and Waffle Housemanager. Her fiancé, Don Pursell, isalso a PSC graduate and currentWaffle House manager.Merlin also has a son, BrendanSellers, who works for Boogie Inc.and is pursuing a career in music.“She’s enjoying it,’’ Merlin said ofher daughter’s experience atPensacola State. “She’s working hardand taking five summer classes.”Merlin said she truly loves WaffleHouse Inc. Based near Atlanta, thecompany is a cultural icon, especiallyin the South where it is even widelyrevered in song. Songs about WaffleHouse run from Danny Jones’ “Raisinsin my Toast” to Grammy Awardwinning Sturgill Simpson’s “WaffleHouse” love letter.“Our founder said we’re not in thefood business, we’re in the peoplebusiness,’’ she said. “That’s reallystuck with me. I love the people andIT WAS A GREATPROGRAM AND IT WASAFFORDABLE. I LOVED MYTIME AT PENSACOLA STATE.”—Rebecca Merlinbusiness degree.“It was an amazing experience,’’Merlin said. “It was a great programand it was affordable. I decided tostart with online classes, and I had thegreatest teachers. I loved my time atPensacola State.”She had already moved up theladder at Waffle House, moving to adivision trainer position in 2015.“Recruiting was my end goal,’’Merlin said. “I love my job and I’mRebecca MerlinAT A GLANCERebecca MerlinEducation: Bachelor ofApplied Science in Businessand Management, 2019 PSCEmployer: Recruiting director,Waffle House Northwest FloridaFamily: Fiancé, Don Pursell;children, Lillian Sellers andBrendan Sellersthe surroundings and my customersand my associates. All of them havehelped make me what I am today.And besides, the food is great.”And her hash browns: scattered,smothered, chunked and well done.“And an omelet,’’ she said. “I lovethe omelets.”Board Member FOCUSWhibbs, Bradley join PSC Alumni Association Board of DirectorsJP Whibbs and James W. Bradleyhave joined the Pensacola StateCollege Alumni Association Boardof Directors.Whibbs, a lifelong resident ofPensacola, earned his associatedegree from Pensacola State. In1988, he graduated from FloridaState University with a bachelor’sdegree in finance.After college, Whibbs accepted aposition with a prominent wealthmanagement company in Raleigh,North Carolina. However, his father,the late Vince Whibbs Sr., asked himto come work in the family business— Vince Whibbs Pontiac-GMC — hefounded in 1958.Over the next 30 years, Whibbsand his partners grew the business toinclude many additional franchises,and eventually sold the company in2018. He now owns and operatesWhibbs Real Estate Group, a realestate network servicing Floridaand Alabama.Whibbs and his wife, Rachael, liveon Pensacola Beach. The couple hastwo sons, JP Whibbs II and NickWhibbs, and one daughter, DelaneyO’Grady, and her husband Brian.A 1976 Pensacola State graduate,Bradley is a native of Pensacola andgeneral manager and chief financialofficer of Bradley Masonry Inc. — aprimarily commercial and residentialcontractor that has served the areafor more than 50 years.Bradley is a 1974 Tate HighSchool graduate. After PensacolaState, he went on to the University ofWest Florida where he earned abachelor’s degree in 1978.Along with serving on the board ofthe Masonry Association of Florida,Bradley also is active in his community.Bradley and his wife, Lisa, haveone son, Jonathan Bradley, a criminaljustice major and U.S. Air ForceROTC student at the University ofSouth Alabama in Mobile.JP WhibbsJames W. BradleyGET CONNECTED &STAY CONNECTEDJoin the Pensacola State CollegeAlumni Association.TEXT PIRATES TO228283TO GET STARTED
PIRATES IN THE COMMUNITYLocal builder establishes Student ConstructorsEndowed Scholarship at Pensacola State CollegeLocal builder Amir Fooladi didn’tput his or his company’s nameon the endowed scholarship heestablished to help Pensacola StateCollege students hoping to enter theconstruction field.Because the goal of the PSCStudent Constructors EndowedScholarship isn’t to build the Fooladiname. It is to help strengthen theCollege’s workforce commitment andsupply Northwest Florida with morequalified workers in the constructionand contracting trade.“One of the biggest hurdles in ourindustry right now is finding goodpeople and having a skilled laborforce,” said Fooladi, president andCEO of ParsCo, a Pensacola-basedconstruction firm. “This scholarshipisn’t about me. It’s about our industry.”Fooladi’s initial scholarship gift was 13,500, with 1,000 of thatimmediately awardable. The PSCAlumni Association matched theremainder — 12,500 — to establishthe current 25,000 endowment fund.“This endowed scholarship may bethe first for our construction program,”said PSC President Ed Meadows.“The nice thing about Mr. Fooladi’sendowment is that he is challengingother construction companies to addto this endowment for the purposeof assisting more students enroll inthis program.“Currently, there is a nationalshortage of skilled constructionworkers and that certainly holds truefor Northwest Florida. Mr. Fooladi’sgenerosity is greatly appreciated andcomes at a critical time to help meetthe major shortage of skilled workersin the construction field.”Fooladi earned a bachelor’sdegree in Construction Engineeringfrom the University of SouthernMississippi, where he graduated withhonors. He is an adjunct instructor atthe University of West Florida wherehe teaches construction administrationand contract law.After graduating from USM,Fooladi worked for various generalcontractors, including some of thelargest firms in the nation.He started ParsCo in 2005.Company projects include Brent LoftsFooladi, whowas born inMississippi andraised in WestTexas, haspreviouslyestablishedscholarships atUWF, USM andthe MississippiGulf CoastCommunityCollege. Both hisparents work inthe medical field.“This is basicallymy way of givingback to theindustry that hasgiven me somuch,” saidFooladi, a marriedfather of three.“I want to helpaspiring young students find theirpaths the way I found mine.”Fooladi said he also kept his nameoff the scholarship because he hopesthat other local construction fieldleaders will consider helping fundthe scholarship.“If we get other builders to donateand get behind the program, we’llhave the potential to improve theconstruction industry here locally,”he added.“A lot of times we don’t have theskilled labor we need. Some of thebiggest hurdles we face in ourindustry right now are finding goodpeople and having a skilled laborforce. We want to help our communityby creating high-paying jobs for anindustry that’s really in need of people.”Students who apply for the StudentConstructors Endowed Scholarshipmust be enrolled in a constructionindustry program such as Carpentry,Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing,Drafting Design and similar programs.“After hearing about the programs,we had to offer, Amir saw anopportunity to help his localcommunity,” Lotz added. “What’seven better, he hopes this scholarshipwill not only bring students into theseprograms but become an avenue forother business leaders to be involved.”in downtown Pensacola and thehistoric Marston Quina renovationthat was completed in 2019.The Marston Quina project wonthe 2019 Excellence in ConstructionEagle Award for Best HistoricalRenovation in Florida.ParsCo also recently completedconstruction of the new Eglin GulfTest and Training Range at Eglin AirForce Base.“I just love building things,” Fooladisaid. “There is a sense of accomplishmentwhen you have something to show foryour hard work.”Fooladi began considering fundinga Pensacola State scholarship afterattending the annual PSC AlumniAssociation Quail Hunt and PheasantShoot held in November at Dennis LakeWing Club in Bay Minette, Alabama.He becane a PSC Alumni AssociationLifetime Charter member shortly afterthe fundraiser.The financial assistance has beena game changer for some PSCstudents — including MirandaMagaha, a 2021 Student ConstructorsEndowed Scholarship recipient.“Awards such as the StudentConstructors Endowed Scholarshiphave given me the opportunity to takemore courses and finish my degree ina timely manner,” she said.“It has aided me in the purchase ofbooks and materials needed for mycourses and the continuation of myeducation. After graduation, I hope tostart my career in the design worldthrough either freelancing or localjobs. Thank you Mr. Fooladi forsupporting my dream.”“The scholarship was somethingthat happened organically after Amirwas invited to spend the weekend (atthe event),” said Hailey Lotz, directorof the PSC Alumni Association andBooster Club Operations.“Amir, being the businessman he isand working in the construction fieldhimself, wanted to do something thatwould impact students seekingconstruction jobs. It is my understandingthat he comes from a family that ispassionate about education. AndPSC was not the first college thatthey have worked with in establishinga scholarship.”4Amir FooladiAT A GLANCEAmir FooladiEstablished PSC StudentConstructors Endowed Scholarshipin 2020Employment: President andCEO of ParsCo, adjunct instructor,University of West FloridaEducation: Bachelor’s degreein Construction Engineering,University of Southern MississippiFamily: Wife, Amy; one son,Miland; two daughters, Amariand Malia
PSC Alumni Association raises over 32,000 during fundraisersPSC Alumni Association annualfundraisers have generated more than 32,000 for student scholarships.Over 23,000 was raised duringthe annual Quail Hunt andPheasant Shoot held Nov. 6-7,2020, at Dennis Lake Wing Club inBay Minette, Alabama.The Delta Kappa Alpha FishingExcursion brought in another 9,236.26 for the DKA EndowedScholarship which was established in2019. The fundraiser was held April8-11, 2021, at Dufour’s FishingCharters in Lafitte, Louisiana.Nine participants turned out for thequail hunt on Nov. 6. On Nov. 7,about 30 hunters took part in thepheasant shoot. Husband-wife teams,individual hunters, and groups fromSynovus Bank and Gulf Power Co.participated in both events.“Thanks to great weather and thewonderful hosts at Dennis Lake WingClub, participants spent two daysenjoying the outdoors and eachGoldstein, Lane Harper, Bryan Head,Chad Head, Rodger Head, TannerIllian, Denis McKinnon III, DenisMcKinnon Jr., Bill McLendon, EdMeadows, Mike Thomas, PhillipTurner and Herb Woll.When fully funded, the scholarshipwill benefit Pensacola State Collegestudents who demonstrate a financialneed, have and maintain a minimum2.0 grade point average, be a UnitedStates citizen or resident alien and beenrolled part-time or full-time. Theawards can cover tuition, fees, booksor supplies.Scholarship recipients can receivefunds for up to two years if pursuingan associate degree or up to fouryears for a bachelor’s degree.“The fundraisers were successful,and registration is open for bothevents,” added Lotz.other’s company all while raisingmoney,” said Hailey Lotz, the College’sDirector of the Alumni Associationand Booster Club Operations.Faithful PSC supporter GerryGoldstein helped PSC President EdMeadows and the Alumni Associationbring the pieces together to make theevent a success. JP Whibbs, VaughnNichols and Mike Thomas also wereinstrumental in the annual fundraiser.FISHING EXCURSIONAfter being cancelled in 2020 dueto COVID-19, the Delta Kappa AlphaFishing Excursion was back on thispast spring with a full group whoraised funds for the DKA scholarship.Active from the 1960s until the1990s. Delta Kappa Alpha “Deke”Brothers, PSC alumni and friends cancontribute to the fund.Participating in the “fishingfundraiser” were Charles “Rocky”Barnes, Robert Doss, PatrickEmmanuel, Dave Finehout, GerrySeventeen sportsmen participated in theDKA Fishing Excursion held in April inLafitte, Louisiana. David Finehut shows offthe redfish he caught during the three-dayfishing trip.DKA Fishing Excursion participants were treated to boiled crawfish during the trip whichgenerated more than 10,000 for scholarships. At right, the annual Quail Hunt and PheasantShoot was held in November at Dennis Lake Wing Club.TO PARTICIPATEThe 2021 Annual PSC Alumni Association Quail Hunt and PheasantShoot will be held Nov. 5-6, 2021, at Dennis Lake Wing Club in BayMinette, Alabama.The Delta Kappa Alpha Fishing Excursion is set for April 28-30, 2022,at Dufour’s Fishing Charters in Lafitte, Louisiana.5
NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGEPAIDPENSACOLA, FLPERMIT NO 88PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGEOffice of Alumni Affairs1000 College Blvd.Pensacola, FL 32504MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTTPSC President Ed MeadowsPensacolaState.eduhe dictionary definesan alumnus as agraduate or studentof a school, collegeor university.As of August 2021,more than 115,500graduates have earneddegrees or certificatesfrom Pensacola StateCollege.However, thatnumber does not reflectthe thousands of otherswho have taken classesfor university transfer,dual-enrollment, adulteducation, continuingeducation students and corporatetraining participants, and whoconsider themselves PSC alumni.Pensacola State remains dedicatedto improving the lives and investing inthe futures of not only our studentsbut the community, as well.Since that inaugural class of 136students gathered in the AikenBoarding House nearly 73 yearsago, our alumni have been andcontinue to be innovators, pioneers,groundbreakers, trendsetters andmore. As you will see in this edition,one priority of our alumni associationis recognizing alumni who havebeen successful in life and who havegiven back to the community andthe College with their time, talent,and resources.Along with student enrollment, theCollege has grown to three campuses— Pensacola, Milton and Warringtonand four centers — Century, Downtown,South Santa Rosa and our soon-toopen fourth center in the Santa RosaIndustrial Park for truck driver trainingand other programs such as dieselmechanics, lineman training andheavy equipment operation.This fall, students will take classesin our new 15 million STEM facility.The 25,389-square-foot BaarsTechnology Center will be home tovarious programs, includingmathematics and cybersecurity.A second 46,000-square foot STEMfacility that will connect to the BaarsTechnology Center will be constructedthis coming year, and a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled.I am sure you will enjoy readingabout alumni spotlighted in thisedition who are supporters ofPensacola State College.The PSC Alumni Association, underthe leadership of its Board ofDirectors and staff, looks forward toexploring new and expandedopportunities to serve its membersand the College.Pensacola State College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender/sex, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information in its educational programs,activities, or employment. For inquiries regarding Title IX and the College’s nondiscrimination policies, contact the Executive Director, Institutional Equity and Student Conduct at 850-484-1759, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola, Florida 32504.
first came to College as a student. F. or more than 28 ½ years, Patrice S. Whitten has . called Pensacola State College her home away from home. On Aug. 31, 2020, Whitten retired as the . executive director of the PSC Alumni Association . and special assistant to the President. Over her tenure at the College, Whitten has been
