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PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
UPDATE Spring 2022 | pcci.edu/Update
Senior
Capstones
pg. 2 E
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PRESIDENT’S PAGE
From the
President
Dr. Troy A. Shoemaker
@PresidentPCC
S ince 1974, The Update has been a venue through
which PCC has shared much of its history. What
started as a promotional piece to inform about the
ongoings of Pensacola Christian College is growing
to a full-size magazine. This fall, you’ll receive a rei-
magined experience that will highlight, support, and
inform alumni and friends. You can expect an updated
design, new content, and news on upcoming events!
I was excited to introduce this at the Alumni Recon-
nects in Atlanta and Cincinnati. Even if you already
get The Update in the mail, I want to encourage you
1974 Update to subscribe today to ensure you’ll receive this new
magazine (see page 11).
Over the 48 years PCC has operated, we’ve added not only buildings but also
degrees, classes, and resources. Our growth is paralleled by incredible alumni
influencing the world for Christ—we want to know how! Consider being featured
in a future issue and share your success stories with us at pcci.edu/YourStory.
As we anticipate a refined Update magazine for alumni and friends, I’m look-
ing forward to enjoying this refreshed experience with you!
PENSACOLA CHRISTI
UPDATE
AN COLLEGE
Winter 2018 | pcci.edu/Update
CHRISTLIKENESS
PATIENCE
ENTHUSIASM
IMPROVEMENT
CHA RACTER
EXCELLENCE
THE
EAGLE
WAY
T
pg. 2 E
RESPEC
HUMILITY
RESILIENCE
1988 1993 2007 2018
INITIATIVE
19 87 2012 SPORTSMANSHIP
The Update through the years
CONTENTS
FEATURE
Snapshots of Progress: 02
Senior Capstones
HAPPENINGS
Fine Arts: Violins & Virtuosos 04
SPOTLIGHT
Chad Talley: Touching Lives 06
through Coffee and Computers
MAJOR FOCUS
Graphic Design 08
HIGHLIGHTS
Safety & Security: 10
A Facilities Upgrade
New Update This Fall! 11
CONNECTIONS
Through Open Doors 12
Employment Opportunities 13
Connect with Us
©2022 Published by Pensacola Christian College and distributed free. For correspondence or change of address, write PCC Update,
Pensacola Christian College, P.O. Box 18000, Pensacola, FL 32523-9160, U.S.A. PCC is located at 250 Brent Lane, Pensacola, FL.
FEATURE
Snapshots of Progress
SENIOR CAPSTONES
During their final semesters, many students
test their skill with a special senior-level project.
E ach year, many seniors reach the
culmination of their training by com-
pleting a capstone project. The final
As team lead, William encourages
and works with his team to present the
game at Software Expo, a professional
paper, project, show, or performance re- event hosted by the class to showcase
quires hours of extensive preparation their programs. “Having already started
and coffee (of course!) to get it ready. an internship, I have learned that being
Computer science student able to work with people is crucial to my
William Job (Sr., ME) is on industry,” he said. “Being able to work
a team preparing a busi- with a team this year, in a professional-
ness simulation game like environment, has given me the edge
in Software Engineering in starting a career in software engineer-
Project II. In this class, ing. The experience of working with a
students design, develop, and refine team to produce a game, code together,
software as a team. “We are currently and learn together is something I will
fixing all the bugs that have been un- never take for granted.”
covered due to Black-box testing, when As a graphic design stu-
a group of people come in and test our dent, Josh Holmes (Sr., KY)
game without knowing what the actual has been polishing up his
code looks like,” he said. “We are also best projects to be dis-
perfecting and implementing the last of played professionally for
our game’s features—putting in the rest Graphic Design Portfolio
of our assets, perfecting our tutorial, fix- Exhibit. “I am doing finishing touches on
ing some issues with our database, and my portfolio before I send it off to print,”
adding music/sound effects.” he said. “I am also working on projects
2 | pcci.edu
SENIOR CAPSTONES
to start my career. I enjoyed the research
that went into it, and I feel more prepared
to go into a graduate studies program
after completing this project.”
Celina Sessoms (Sr., FL),
who is studying history, is
preparing a thesis for Se-
nior History Research Proj-
ect. Her topic covers the
role female Soviet pilots
played during World War II. Finding solid
resources to support her topic has proven
difficult, but in a way that stretches her
in my Directed Studio class that I hope abilities. “My topic is a bit niche, so [I’ve]
to display. I’m very excited about a vinyl been working with my professor and chal-
record album design and a photography lenging my research skills to find the
book in progress.” proper sources,” she said.
“Preparing for this exhibit instills fu- While difficult, Celina knows the
ture beneficial skills. This is definitely thesis will help her apply for graduate
testing how much I’ve learned and how school. “My aim for a future career lies
to apply new skills to past projects while in archaeology and museum curatorship,”
keeping older skills sharp,” Josh contin- she said. “This project will be invaluable
ued. “It is also a good step toward my for working on a master’s degree and
next goal as I plan to stay for grad school having experience in research and the
and will one day have a master’s exhibit.” development of higher education. Arche-
ology often requires extensive amounts
Josiah Sainsbury (Sr., FL),
of research and procedure, and museum
who is studying criminal
curatorship requires scholarly integrity
justice, has been teamed
and interpersonal relationships within
up with a classmate to pre-
the field.”
pare a paper and 40-min-
ute presentation for Senior In a few weeks, these projects will be
Criminal Justice Seminar. “The final pre- completed and polished for presentation,
sentation and research paper helps test and these students will be anticipating
my ability to gather accurate data and their next challenge—starting their new
present it in a professional manner,” he careers as alumni!
explained. “It also helps me learn to work
with a partner toward a common goal, a
skill that will be useful no matter where
I end up.”
Together, they have been collecting
information on human trafficking, an
area of criminal justice Josiah is pas-
sionate about. “The most challenging
part is learning to distinguish between
good and bad information,” said Josiah.
“The project makes me genuinely excited
PCC UPDATE | 3
HAPPENINGS
Fine Arts
Violins & Virtuosos
Entering the Crowne Centre, many elegantly dressed
audience members filled the empty space,
anticipating a night of moving music and fun with friends.
O n Valentine’s Day weekend, audi-
ence members flooded the Crowne
Centre, carrying small gifts received from
the greatest string quartets in the last
100 years (BBC Music Magazine), they
started the concert with “Presto” by Vivaldi.
friends and dates to commemorate the The stringed instruments enchanted the
evening. Soon, they would be dazzled by audience as they played classics from
the musical talents of the Dover Quartet Mendelssohn, Ravel, and Dvořák.
and the Brooklyn Duo as they performed The concert then transitioned to clas-
their first concert at PCC. KaLyn Collins sical musicians and YouTube celebrities,
(Jr., IA), who is studying music education, the Brooklyn Duo. Marnie and Patrick
was excited to see these groups per- Laird founded the group in 2014 and
form. “I’ve heard of Brooklyn Duo before. were quickly established as one of to-
They’re well-known enough that people day’s most successful classical cross-
in the music realm are very familiar with over ensembles. The couple entertained
them,” she said. the audience with various music, includ-
The lights in the Crowne Centre ing classics such as Pachelbel’s Canon
dimmed and the performance began in D and modern pieces such as “What
with the traditional Lord’s Prayer. The a Wonderful World” by Thiele.
Dover Quartet made their way to the set Both groups joined together to close
in the semi-darkness. A hush covered the the concert with some familiar movie
audience as they waited for the Grammy- scores. Prior to their final number, “Mar-
nominated group to begin. Named among ried Life from Up” by Giacchino, Dr. Dale
4 | pcci.edu
FINE ARTS
Adkins, PCC’s Student Care director, pre- The Fine Arts Series introduces
sented the musicians with colorful bal- students to performances that engage
loons reminiscent of the film’s paradise- the mind and entertain. It also allows
searching abode. “I thought you guys students to practice proper etiquette
could use this,” he said before heading on formal social occasions. “For me,
offstage. personally, I wasn’t exposed to a lot of
The concert ended with a standing different things like this,” said Lucas
ovation. The excellent musicianship of Whiteside (Jr., IL). “So, it teaches [stu-
the two groups moved the audience to dents] how to behave in a formal setting,
applause, leading to Puccini’s “Nessun while giving us a time of relaxation and
dorma” as an encore performance. Stu- just more culture.”
dents appreciated how these master mu- With a variety of musical arrange-
sicians showcased their talents. “I’m a re- ments, this Violins and Virtuosos Fine
ally musical person,” said Alvin Chapman Arts had something for everyone—a
(Jr., MD). “Getting a chance to see these masterful and sensational experience
professionals play at the highest level to cherish, reflect on, and expand one’s
possible was definitely a phenomenal appreciation of music.
experience.”
Because one musician was recovering from COVID-19,
both groups wore face masks during their pieces.
PCC UPDATE | 5
SPOTLIGHT
Touching Lives through
Coffee &
Prepared to follow the Lord’s leading, Chad Talley thrives as
a director at Dell Technologies and as a coffee franchise owner.
I f you were to step into Chad (Computer
Science ’00) and Marie Talley’s coffee
shop in Georgetown, Texas, you’d be
Before becoming a café owner, Chad
has had a successful career at Dell
Technologies for the last 15 years, cur-
welcomed by the sound of sputtering rently acting as director of global pro-
espresso and the fragrance of freshly cess engineering. About 3 years ago,
ground coffee. A barista behind the he and his wife felt God calling them to
counter could tell you where these find a new way to serve their community
freshly brewed coffee beans were and discovered Just Love Coffee Café,
planted, harvested, and then ground a growing business franchise originally
for your steaming (or iced) cup—and founded to help families with adoption
you may want to snap a picture before expenses. They knew that opening a
biting into one of the café’s unique location would create many opportuni-
Instagram-worthy sandwiches, hot off ties to demonstrate God’s love.
a waffle iron.
6 | pcci.edu
COMPUTER SCIENCE GRAD
“We are called to make a differ- Chad also traces his heart for minis-
ence in our world, and what better way try back to a sermon he heard at PCC. “I
than providing a place where everyone truly believe this journey has only been
feels true love? We shared a common possible because in the middle of my
bond in our faith with the café’s found- college career, God asked me to fully
ers, and we believed this was a step commit to Him,” he said. “I chose to
God was calling us toward,” Chad said. truly follow Christ for my life. It hasn’t
“We believe God wanted us to be a been perfect, but it has been awesome.”
part of the community, and we express As Chad and Marie operate Just Love
our faith through God’s command to Coffee Café, they’ve created a space
love Him completely and to love our for people to eat, drink coffee, worship,
neighbor.” study, and work. “God has used this to
Now, both in the café and in his job stretch our faith, but more importantly,
at Dell, Chad uses the lessons that he to create a place where everyone is
learned at college. “What I learned at welcome,” said Chad. “My wife and I
PCC—and have applied at every job—is get to meet and talk to thousands of
the desire and drive to be excellent people and be a light to those we meet.
and do my best, realizing that it is a We are constantly amazed at how our
reflection of who I am as a believer,” café is used for His purpose.”
Chad said. “The Word tells us to do Together, the Talleys have readily fol-
everything to the best of our ability lowed God’s leading and are glad to see
and God’s glory. In a professional ca- the good He provides through them.
reer, people see God in what I say and “Scripture tells us to commit our ways
how I perform. My classes all gave me unto the Lord, and He will direct our
core skills, but it was the desire to do paths,” Chad said. “I have seen that
my best for God that caused me to be the more I commit to Him, the more He
successful in my career.” allows me to do for Him.”
“We are called to make a
difference in our world,
and what better way than
providing a place where
everyone feels true love?”
PCC UPDATE | 7
MAJOR FOCUS
Graphic Design
VISUAL COMMUNICATION
The graphic design concentration equips students
to bring glory to God through digital art.
F
or the past 17 years,
Andrea Young (Graphic
Design ’98) has been shar-
the student; they cared for us, and you
could tell,” she recalled. “I like to think
that I pass on to my employees the same
ing the gospel through a sense of helping them succeed and over-
Sunday school curriculum. come any obstacles.”
At D6 Family Ministries Like Andrea, students in PCC’s pro-
(under Randall House), Andrea leads a gram develop foundational and creative
team of three designers. “I am a ‘work- problem-solving skills while complet-
ing manager’ as they call it,” she said. ing projects and internships. They also
“While I assign jobs, keep production broaden their expertise by producing a
schedules moving, create marketing print portfolio exhibit and by using advanced
pieces and web graphics, I also design tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud. With
products for the curriculum.” their degree, graphic design graduates
Because of her undergraduate train- are prepared to lead in their field. They’re
ing, Andrea felt prepared to succeed in equipped to influence design in minis-
her field. “I remember my professors tries, businesses, and even as freelanc-
helping me understand principles and ers through digital or print media.
procedures. They had a heart for helping
8 | pcci.eduGRAPHIC DESIGN
“I remember my professors helping me
understand principles and procedures.
They all had a heart for helping the student—
they cared for us, and you could tell.”
“One advertising class the brand and how it comes to life for
exercise taught me to cre- their audience. “As I work with my team
ate a design within two to complete initiatives, I realize how much
hours,” said Justin Ellis my undergrad courses prepared me to
(Graphic Design ’06; M.A. Com- lead calls with business leaders and pro-
mercial Art ’08).
“That prac- vide solutions,” he said. “And a founda-
tice has come into play in my present tion in grammar and design has helped
job.” As a designer at High Resolutions provide sound feedback to my team.”
in Knoxville, TN, Justin enjoys serving his With a foundation in liberal arts, the
clients. “By the grace of God, I’m able graphic design concentration offers a
to create something that is beyond what well-rounded understanding of each de-
they were expecting,” he said. “I love the sign stage. “As a Christian college, our
opportunity to help people by creating perspective starts from a biblical world-
amazing graphics for them.” view, which we readily apply to the arts,”
“When you enroll in PCC’s visual Mr. Hewitt said. “Our program is deeply
arts department, you join a family of connected to biblical principles relating
other creatives,” said Greg Hewitt, the to expression, visual communication,
visual arts department chair, consider- service to the audience, personal work
ing prospective students. “Your instruc- ethic, and the purpose of bringing glory
tors, award-winning artists and designers to God.”
with years of experience, will teach you “The [graphic design] field is wide
the principles and methods necessary open, exciting, and continuously growing
to create work that stands above the and changing,” said Mr. Hewitt. The pos-
rest. And your peers, each on an artistic sibilities with a graphic design degree
journey similar to yours, will engage you are endless. And PCC provides solid
along the way.” support to help students design in the
Brad Keller (Graphic Design creative world.
’03) saw the quality of the
Visual Arts program and
was drawn to PCC. “The
overall training I received
was essential, from my art
classes to grammar and speech,” he said.
As vice president at loanDepot, a mort-
gage lending company, Brad manages
PCC UPDATE | 9HIGHLIGHTS
SAFETY & SECURITY
A Facilities Upgrade
The department recently moved their operations center
to a more spacious and strategic location.
B efore moving in Janu-
ary, Safety and Secu-
rity operated from a small
The old location was right between
two academic buildings, limiting team
and vehicle mobility during class ex-
building at the center of change. The Rawson location allows
campus. “Security has the team to respond more quickly to
been dreaming of a new calls and emergencies. The team also
location,” said Chief Reggie Bartkowski. improved internal efficiency with a state-
Now located between Rice Tower of-the-art communications center in the
and the Mullenix Chapel, the Safety Rawson facility. The building layout pro-
and Security team has made many im- vides dispatchers with an undisturbed
provements with their move. The new environment, allowing them to focus on
space not only features private supervi- officer operations.
sor offices for staff members, but also The additional space also made it
an easier-to use customer service desk possible for the department to consoli-
so students can get the help they need date their equipment. “We had equip-
when it matters most! ment stored in numerous areas around
Isaiah Tesdall (Sr., CA), a campus. Now, we have all Safety and
student officer who is Security equipment in one location,” said
graduating in May, appre- Chief Bartkowski. “The new Emergency
ciates the initiative toward Operations Center inside the new build-
improving department op- ing will allow the Incident Command Staff
erations. “I’m not going to to efficiently coordinate needs during
be here much longer, but it’s nice to go any crisis.”
out on a high note,” he said. “Our chief These changes and improvements
has done a fantastic job moving things to department operations better enable
forward. The building is much larger, and security officers as they continue to pro-
having the officer area available for train- tect the safety of students, faculty, and
ing sessions and musters [briefing] is staff. “We are so grateful and blessed
very useful. There has been a big boost to be able to have these new facilities,”
to efficiency.” said Chief Bartkowski.
10 | pcci.eduNEWS & EVENTS
The Update
A Magazine for Alumni and Friends
A fresh look at your story coming fall 2022
Everyone has a story that is uniquely their own. It’s what keeps us connected.
And it’s people like you that inspire the stories in The Update—a magazine that’s
been encouraging readers since 1974.
And now this fall, a brand-new issue is underway…
Exciting new content
Fresh look with updated design
Full-size layout
Biannual print and digital editions
SUBSCRIBE NOW
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Upcoming Events
PCC Commencement Summer Camps
for families and friends of graduating students for grades 7–12, including class of 2022 graduates
May 12 & 13 June 27–Aug. 5
pcci.edu/graduation | 1-800-PCC-INFO (1-800-722-4636) YouthOutreachCamps.com | 850-969-1690
Art • Basketball (Guys/Girls) • Computer Science
Teen Extreme Youth Camp Criminal Justice • Drama • Education
for grades 7–12, including class of 2022 graduates Engineering & Science • History & Political Science
Music Academy • Nursing • Pre-Medicine
June 13–17 • June 20–24 • June 27–July 1
Soccer (Guys) • Volleyball (Girls) • Writing
July 11–15 • July 18–22
TeenExtremeCamp.com | 850-969-1555
A one-of-a-kind youth camp focusing on spiritual
development and offering thrilling extreme sports
Seminary/Graduate Summer
Sessions
Challenging studies to strengthen our ministry
or career foundation
June 20–Aug. 9
pcci.edu/GraduateStudies | 1-877-PTS-GRAD (1-877-787-4723)
PCC UPDATE | 11Connections Stories from PCC
Drs. David & Cheryl Gregory:
Through
OPEN DOORS
The Gregorys have used their shared time at
PCC investing in students and various ministry
opportunities.
Drs. David and Cheryl Gregory have After completing their second mas-
been at PCC for 32 years, first arriv- ter’s degrees, David and Cheryl married
ing on campus as freshmen in 1989. in 1998. They began serving in Youth
Independently, David and Cheryl were Outreach Ministry camps that same year
drawn to the College for its affordable until each accepted administrative roles
and reputable education programs. at PCC in 2003. “[Working with the youth
Each assumed they’d attend college camps] is what really showed me the
and return home to teach, but God had true heart of this ministry,” David said.
other plans. About ten years later, they began
After graduating with bachelor’s de- pursuing their doctorates and returned
grees in 1993, both David and Cheryl to teaching. Their administration experi-
began the Graduate Assistant (GA) Pro- ence allowed them to add more dimen-
gram. While they were friends as under- sion to their graduate classes. “When-
grads, they got to know each other more ever a door opens, you just walk through
as GAs. David began teaching freshman it. That’s just how I’ve lived my whole
history courses early on, and Cheryl was life, and it’s made for some very exciting
asked to help teach freshman English times,” said Cheryl. “I never said that
during her second year as a GA. I’m going to be getting my doctorate and
Through conversations with Denis teach on a college level. I never thought
McBride, who had taught at Pensacola about that until that opportunity came
Christian Academy for some time, David when I was in graduate school.”
quickly understood the importance of The Gregorys’ experience has done
being planted, especially in education. more than given them academic posi-
“He always talked about that idea of tions, but servant-hearted ones as well,
finding where the Lord wants you, plant- and that has made all the difference.
ing yourself there, and letting Him call “When we’re doing what we enjoy—do-
you away,” David said. “Those that have ing what God has called us to—it’s not a
longevity sometimes have the greater job; it’s a ministry. It’s part of the tangi-
opportunities; not just because you’ve ble and intangible, of working alongside
been around for a while, but the first- men and women who are called as well,”
year teacher doesn’t have quite the said David. “We’re all working toward a
set of relationships that a ten-year common goal—equipping students so
teacher has.” that they can fulfill their call.”
12 | pcci.eduCONNECTIONS
Enjoy one of our
featured streaming
stations.
Access all 6 stations on Rejoice.org.
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