This year, Palm Beach Atlantic (海角在线) University celebrates its 55th anniversary and the incredible journey that 海角在线 embarked on in 1968.
In 2023, 海角在线 students enjoy a beautiful campus along the intracoastal waterway that houses a spacious Warren Library, a newly renovated campus bookstore, a 400-seat DeSantis Family Chapel, a 76-acre Rinker Athletic Campus and more. However, although 海角在线鈥檚 campus looks vastly different than it did 55 years ago, the mission determined by the founders of 海角在线 has remained the same throughout its history.
Miracles and Wonders
The university we know today has developed and prospered from small beginnings. In the book Miracles & Wonders, a detailing of 海角在线鈥檚 history, Dr. Donald Warren, 海角在线鈥檚 founding chairman of the board, shares firsthand accounts of 海角在线’s formative years. He describes feeling 鈥渁 great deal of anguish concerning why God had called [him] to such an impossible task.鈥� Dr. Warren was a respected cardiologist with a thriving medical practice in West Palm Beach, but when Dr. Jess Moody, senior pastor at First Baptist, commissioned him to join the mission of starting a Christian college in South Florida, Dr. Warren reluctantly agreed, saying 鈥渨hy not us and why not here?鈥�
With seemingly improbable needs for finances and sponsors, the founders wondered if their dream for a Christian college in the midst of the socially turbulent 1960s would ever be accomplished. However, Warren said the doubt and uncertainty reminded him that 海角在线 was not his or anyone else鈥檚. It was God鈥檚.
William Yarick, a member of 海角在线鈥檚 founding class, shared his gratitude for the individuals who believed in 海角在线鈥檚 mission and vision from the very beginning, stating that 鈥渁 lot of people invested in the college with a vision for the future, and as you can see today, it has turned out to be quite a vision fulfilled.鈥�
As a Christ-first university, the mission to produce leaders who seek wisdom, serve in their communities and have a heart for the Lord can be seen in the university鈥檚 motto: Enlightening Minds, Enriching Souls and Extending Hands.
God-Sized Dreams
With the celebration of 55 years of 海角在线, we can reflect on the seemingly impossible dream that God brought to fruition and the traces of divine intervention throughout 海角在线鈥檚 story. Now, more than five decades later, 海角在线 continues to dream 鈥淕od-Sized Dreams.鈥� Our strategic vision includes a multi-phased master plan to maximize available land 鈥� it plans for a new six-story, flagship business building, a health sciences complex, a student and alumni welcome center and a state-of-the-art performing arts center. As 海角在线 continues to grow and expand, we are doing everything we can to be at the highest level of excellence, and this plan exemplifies that.
Dr. Warren encapsulated 海角在线鈥檚 story well, stating that it 鈥渋s not one of great human achievement, but one of God working through mere mortals in the past, present and future to accomplish the 鈥榠mpossible dream.鈥� Many people have contributed immensely to [海角在线鈥檚] cause and they are to be commended. But the main credit should go where it is due: To the God of mercy, of miracles, and of wonders, who met us around every corner.鈥�
