Last week, PBA held its annual Community Day celebration—just days away from welcoming another freshman class and returning students to campus for the fall. This event serves as a jumpstart to the academic year, where the university reflects on unity in Christ through worship, fellowship, food, and a charge of encouragement for students, faculty, and staff.
“The first pillar of our strategic plan is mission with excellence. And I deeply appreciate everyone in this room who brings excellence to their discipline or area of expertise within this university,” said PBA President Debra A. Schwinn. “Staying Christ-first takes energy, and that energy is here. We are working hard to ensure that for the next century, PBA is clearly honoring God with everyone we hire and the environment that we have.”
Schwinn also thanked the faculty for their commitment to building a welcoming community for students. She shared that along with PBA’s provost, Dr. Stephen Johnson, she has the privilege of interviewing and learning about the stories of every faculty member and senior staff member who joins the PBA family. Schwinn believes PBA’s focus on the intersection of mission and excellence sets the university apart, striving in all areas to succeed for God’s glory.
Celebrating Faculty and Staff
This “PBA excellence” was recognized during Community Day with the presentation of several faculty and staff awards. During the celebration Dr. Elizabeth Stice, professor of history, received the 2025 Charles and Hazel Corts Award for Outstanding Teaching. Now in her 14th year at PBA, she regularly engages with students, including organizing fitness and church-based activities and assisting with student-led research projects. She has also participated in several study abroad trips and leads Artemis House—a community organization under the Fredrick M. Supper Honors Program.
Jacquelyn Switalski, director of operations, was presented with the 2025 Employee of the Year award. Switalski is known for innovating systems to help the university operate more efficiently and enhance interdepartmental collaboration across campus. Her involvement in managing the increased number of events on campus since 2021 has significantly increased the university’s revenue.
Renewing Minds, Serving Others
Every year, the president picks a verse for the academic term to comfort, encourage, and center every person at PBA. This year Schwinn and her executive team decided on a verse they thought would remind students of their distinct identity in Christ.
With this goal in mind, they decided on Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV)
Dr. Schwinn believes this verse will remind students and faculty of who they are in Christ and motivate them to grow in their faith to know God’s will for their lives. The first part of the verse reminds Christians to be different from the world. The second section is about the transformation of the mind, which happens through a daily commitment to Christ. Finally, the third part involves putting transformed minds at work, reflecting how PBA students are expected to go out after their time on campus and be the salt and light of the world.
Executive Vice President of Advancement Laura Bishop also congratulated the Sailfish family.
“We are so grateful for all your hard work,” she said. “Because of what we have seen coming across this graduation stage, our community has said, ‘We want more PBA students living here, working here, being a part of our community, leading in our churches and we are going to stand with you.’”
