WEST PALM BEACH, FLA., USA (January 26, 2024) – Just over a year after officially launching its God-Sized Dreams campaign, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) broke ground on the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall on Monday, January 22, 2024. It is the first of four major construction projects under the campaign.
PBA has received more than $48 million in gifts through philanthropic support toward its $75 million goal to help construct the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall. The state-of-the-art facility will foster a dynamic learning environment, offering students unparalleled resources such as a stock trading room and the 300-plus-seat Titus Lecture Hall. The new facility will also serve as home to three of the university's centers of excellence—the Titus Center for Franchising, the LeMieux Center for Public Policy, and the recently launched Center for Financial Literacy.
With the construction of the new business school, PBA will enhance its programs, capitalizing on its AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation for the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business, awarded in May 2023. This distinction places the institution in the top six percent of all business schools globally and one of only 10 Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) schools with this accreditation.
Launched in November 2022, the God-Sized Dreams campaign at PBA is dedicated to advancing four transformative projects on the university's West Palm Beach campus. Alongside the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall, the campaign aims to secure funds to develop a cutting-edge health science complex, a state-of-the-art performing arts center, and an alumni and student welcome center. Various naming opportunities for these facilities are currently open, inviting individuals to contribute to the legacy of the campus.
PBA's expansion comes as the West Palm Beach community continues to experience remarkable growth, garnering attention on a national scale as "Wall Street South." The Business Development Board reports that approximately 100 corporations have migrated to Palm Beach County since 2019, including industry giants like Goldman Sachs, NewDay USA, Tremblant Capital, and GTCR.
“The Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall groundbreaking marks a pivotal moment in PBA’s history—representing our commitment to providing a world-class, Christian education rooted in the American Free Enterprise system,” President Dr. Debra Schwinn said during the ceremony. “We believe Christian values are good and helpful to society, and that American Free Enterprise creates unique opportunities for businesses to grow and communities to thrive. We look forward to completing this extraordinary facility and seeing its transformative impact on our students.”
At the forefront of the God-Sized Dreams campaign are John and Sheila Rinker, whose contribution, the largest in the university's history, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to the future of PBA and its students.
“The construction of the new business hall perfectly aligns with our institution's broader goals and vision, positioning us for a dynamic future,” said Tom McCaffrey, PBA board chair. “Investing in this project is more crucial than ever. With the relocation of businesses in our region, the demand for our graduates is growing, and this investment will help us meet this growing demand.”
Watch the recap of the event here.
To contribute to this transformative campaign and be a part of shaping the future PBA, please visit the campaign website.
