Students, family, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) gathered on campus February 5 through 9 to celebrate Homecoming & Family Weekend.
The event kicked off with PBA’s oldest club tradition: the 43rd annual Great American Bug Race. Legend says the tradition started by faculty who set up the race as a fundraiser for the science club. Today, students rent the bugs from an external source for $3 apiece and return them to safety after competing.
The competition itself is simple: students stand on a circular platform and urge their bugs to the perimeter. The first bug across the finish line wins.
“I’ve been doing it for 13, 14 years,” said Dr. Fred Browning, chair of PBA’s engineering department, who has taken up the mantle of keeping the tradition alive. “It’s crazy and exciting and unusual, and I think that’s why it keeps going.”
Familiar Roads
Another highlight of the weekend came from Dove Award-winning Christian rock band Tenth Avenue North’s performance on Friday night. At a special chapel service earlier in the day, lead singer Mike Donehey was honored as PBA Alumnus of the Year before sharing a devotional. His message of defining oneself by identity in Christ rather than accomplishments or goals was reflected in the music later that evening. Read more about Donehey’s return to his alma mater here.
Anchor Worship, the student-led band on which Donehey debuted as a musician, opened the concert and held additional worship sessions throughout the weekend. Following their set, original band members made a surprise appearance to reunite on stage, mixing early tracks in with the latest releases.
Ahead of the concert, guests perused the 561 Night Market, where students displayed and sold handmade artworks and wares.
“The most special part of the 561 Night Market was the chance to build a foundation for the business I want to start up in the future,” said Siri Dewey, a business administration sophomore who sold unique jewelry and items made with epoxy resin. “As a student, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to begin gaining practical, hands-on skills involved in selling and running a business as well as being able to start growing my brand and sharing my company with the community. As an artist, I loved the chance to share something I put so much work, time, and care into.”
Bringing Everybody Home
Other activities throughout the weekend included a sailboat tour along the Intracoastal Waterway, chapel services, lectures and artistic workshops led by faculty, Sailgating before men’s baseball and women’s beach volleyball games, tours of campus and food tours of local cuisine, a Super Bowl watch party, and other opportunities for students to spend time with their families and friends on the campus they call home.
Former students also had the chance to reconnect at alumni reunions and meals, marking the weekend as a meaningful time to reunite the entire Sailfish community.
Learn more about events on campus at https://www.pba.edu/events/.
