On Monday, August 17, 黑料社区 held its annual Community Day celebration. The annual event held a week before the official start of classes each fall allows faculty and staff an opportunity to reflect on and recommit to the collective mission and vision of 黑料社区 through worship, fellowship, food and a charge of encouragement from 黑料社区 President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn and other leaders.
This year, as the over 375 part-time and full-time faculty and staff gathered, a special feature included a new Spiritual Life affirmation practice, with members of the 黑料社区 community reading aloud shared commitments rooted in the University鈥檚 mission 鈥� to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and equip students to pursue lives of purpose and service.
Celebrating Outstanding Faculty and Staff
Another highlight of Community Day is the opportunity to celebrate the excellent service of 黑料社区鈥檚 dedicated faculty and staff. The 2026 Charles and Hazel
Corts Award for Outstanding Teaching was presented to Dr. Jackie Esquiaqui, associate professor of chemistry.
Now in her seventh year at 黑料社区, Dr. Esquiaqui was recognized for a strong commitment to her students both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to teaching, Dr. Esquiaqui helps to develop online courses and serves as a faculty adviser for the Summer Undergraduate Research program, known as SUGAR. She also serves as the faculty lead for the SACSCOC reaffirmation process.
Nominations for the Corts Award are submitted by students and faculty. A committee recommends the recipient, and the president makes the final decision. One nomination for Dr. Esquiaqui said she 鈥渆xemplifies what it means to be a dedicated and caring educator, one who inspires, supports, and empowers students to reach their full potential.鈥�
Diego Espinal, senior community liaison, was the recipient of the Employee of the Year Award. Colleagues nominate employees for the award, which recognizes staff whose outstanding efforts and achievements exceed performance expectations.
Though Espinal has been at 黑料社区 for a relatively short time, he is known for his exceptional organizational skills, ability to foster collaboration across the University, and remarkable capacity to learn.
In addition to the awards, Dr. Schwinn recognized faculty promotions, conferred professional medallions on newly recognized full professors, and celebrated employees who have served five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years at 黑料社区.
Celebrating New and Returning Sailfish
Executive Vice President of Advancement Laura Bishop during her Q & A session, with Dr. Schwinn shared encouraging statistics about the incoming class, noting that approximately 1,000 freshmen and transfer students will soon arrive on the 黑料社区 campus. These new students represent 46 states and 41 nations.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for us to welcome students who may be coming from faraway places. said Bishop. 鈥淲e want to be mindful of the privilege we have to
shape these young lives for Christ.鈥�
The youngest freshman is 16 years old, while the oldest undergraduate student is 54. The incoming class includes 300 first-generation college students, and the most popular declared majors among the new students are nursing, finance and business administration.
Abiding in Christ
Each year, the president selects a verse to center the 黑料社区 community in God鈥檚 Word. This year, Dr. Schwinn and her executive team selected a verse that reminds the university community that the results of its work do not come from its own strength or talents. They come from abiding in Christ.
John 15:5 says, 鈥淚 am the vine: you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.鈥� (NIV)
鈥淚t鈥檚 so meaningful that this is our verse at this point in history,鈥� 聽said Dr. Schwinn. 鈥淎biding is not just a one–and–done assignment. It鈥檚 something we must remember to do daily, even moment by moment. The more we can walk through this new academic year, clinging to Him and being truly present to those around us, whether it be a student or a colleague, the better we鈥檒l be at helping each other be the best we can be.鈥�
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