Community News

Lynn University was recently recognized by Times Higher Education (THE) for its long-standing commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). THE’s 2022 International Impact Rankings assessed more than 1,400 higher education institutions in 106 countries, measuring four key indicators: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. This is the first year that Lynn placed on the list.

The annual rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against 17 SDGs and provide a compreh e n s ive a n d b a lanced comparison. To be included in the fourth edition of the rankings, universities had to submit data completed during the 2019–20 academic year.

Lynn submitted its successes in four c a t e g o r i e s : g o o d health and wellbeing (SDG 3), providing quality education (SDG 4), reducing inequalities (SDG 10), and collaboration and partnership with other participating members in promoting best practices (SDG 17). In and out of the classroom, Lynn has tackled SDGs through innovation, creativity and resilience.

Lynn received a perfect score for its support of students with disabilities. The university was also recognized with high scores for its lifelong learning measures, earning a 79.8, and for the publication of

SDG reports, receiving a 70.6 score. “As a global university, we believe doing our part is vital to improving the world around us and setting an example for our diverse student body,” said Dr. Katrina Carter-Tellison, vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are honored to be recognized and included among such prestigious company. This recognition empowers us to reach even higher in the coming years.” To view the full rankings methodology, visit THE’s 2022 International Impact Rankings: methodology. About Lynn University Lynn University is an independent “As a global university, college based in Boca Raton, Florida, we believe doing with nearly 3,400 our part is vital to students from over 100 countries. U.S. improving the world News & World Rearound us and setting port has recognized Lynn for its innovaan example for our tion, inter national diverse student body,” students and value. Lynn’s NCAA Division II Fighting Knights have won 25 national titles, its Conservatory of Music features a world-renowned faculty of performers, and its nationally recognized Institute for Achievement and Learning empowers students with learning differences. The school’s Dialogues curriculum and awardwinning iPad program help Lynn graduates gain the intellectual flexibility and global experience to fulfill their potential in an ever-changing world. For more information visit lynn.edu.

Boca Raton, FL – Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute recently received the first FAU Research Cores Internal Pilot (RCIP) Grant to support water sample nutrient analysis project with FAU’s Research Cores Water Analysis Lab (WAL) facility. The awarded funding will be used by researchers Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor; Paul Wills, Ph.D., research professor and associate director for research; and Jordon Beckler, Ph.D., assistant research professor, to further investigate optimal growing conditions for various species of the halophyte ‘saltloving’ plant, also known as sea vegetables, for the purpose of applying the findings to commercial growth, harvest and sale of sea vegetables for human consumption.

“Sea vegetables are mineral-rich plants and make a great addition to our diets,” said Davis. “When cooking with these sea vegetables, there is no need to add salt since natural salts are available. Our sea vegetable plants flourish on the nutrients provided by the fish in the aquaculture system. This grant opportunity gives the research team the means to measure nutrient levels associated with optimal growth patterns of the plants, a critical step in implementing the most sustainable processes for commercial growth and harvest of sea vegetable species.”

Water sample nutrient analysis researchers were awarded $5,000 and will be using FAU’s WAL facility to measure the water chemical compositions and nutrient concentrations in water samples taken from sea vegetable tanks in the Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture system (IMTA) at Harbor Branch. Water samples will be collected and analyzed before and after sea veg etable reservoir water changes – which is set to occur weekly – and daily during the week-long period. The concentrations observed will provide insight into the microbial processes and nutrient cycling yielding optimal growth of the plants.

The newly established RCIP grant program exists to provide investigators access to FAU Research Core services for research projects that have potential to obtain external and competitive grant programs targeted to the subject matter. The pilot awards are offered to FAU researchers in sums of $500 to $5,000 for use at any of the current FAU Research Core facilities. To learn more, visit www.fau.edu/research-admin/cores/.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton (RCDBR), the Club will be rolling out the “blue” carpet to a Tropical Paradise as it presents the seventh Annual Boca Raton Mayors Ball, Saturday, November 12th at 6:30 p.m. at Boca West Country Club. In its grand tradition, the black-tie gala will draw generations of Boca Raton’s Who’s Who dignitaries, business and community leaders to a lavish reception and dinner, dancing-the-night-away to the Steve Chase Band, George Long Award presentations, and exciting silent auction.

As the Mayors Ball serves as a coveted tribute to those who have helped make Boca Raton the best place to live, work, learn, visit, heal and raise a family, the proceeds raised fund grant requests from Boca Raton-based non-profits whose communities have health and wellness needs. Distributed through a formal RCDBR “Service Above Self ” grant application process, proceeds from the 2021 Mayors Ball will fulfill grant requests submitted by 17+ area nonprofits, as well as a percentage donated to Rotary International’s fund for polio eradication.

The 2022 RCDBR Mayors Ball Cochairs Rosie Inguanzo Martin and David Eltringham and the event host committee are looking forward to setting the stage for a continued spotlight on Boca Raton’s stakeholders and their achievements and contributions. The Honorary Chairs this year are 2021 Co-chair Jonathan Whitney and wife Nicole, and RCDBR Founding Member Shaheer Hosh and wife Gloria. The annual event is produced by Kaye Communications.

“Each year it is the generosity of Mayors Ball sponsors and attendees that makes a difference in the lives of so many,” said Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton Mayors Ball Co-Chair David Eltringham. “Our club is so excited to again host this spectacular evening and expect the dance floor to be filled and lots of smiles throughout the ballroom as together we celebrate all that is Boca!”

According to Boca Raton Mayors Ball Co-Chair Rosie Inguanzo Mar tin, The Rotar y Club Downtown Boca Raton’s George Long Awards, named for the City’s first mayor, will be presented to ADT (forprofit), YMCA South Palm Beach County (nonprofit) and Eda & Cliff Viner (individual). Each is recognized for their continual efforts to support and promote Boca Raton. In addition to the George Long Awards, The Dr. Ira Gelb Health & Wellness Visionary Award will be presented to FAU Trustee, Schmidt College of Medicine Dean’s Advisory Council Chair and Chair Emeritus for Life of the Palm Beach County Medical Society Dr. Michael T.B. Dennis.

Supporting the Co-Chairs and Honorary Co-Chairs, this year’s host committee includes current President Jon Carter, President-Elect Jeff Weber, past Mayors Ball co-chairs Kim Champion, Ingrid Fulmer, Arlene Herson, Jon Kaye, Dyana Kenney, and Constance Scott. Additional committee members include Stuart Fife, Bruce Spizler, Gwen Herb, Alan Kaye, Allen Konis, Garcia Peters, Linda Petrakis, Ron Rubin, Howard Tai, Gloria Wank, Janice Williams, and Marilyn Wilson.

Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton Annual Boca Raton Mayors Ball Saturday, November 12, 2022

Founded in July 2012, The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton is dedicated to impacting the Boca Raton community through Rotary International’s mission of “Service Above Self ”. The award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit’s purpose is to make a difference in the community by enhancing the lives of many in an environment that embraces and promotes integrity, fellowship, and trust. The RCDBR is one of 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries connecting 1.2 million Rotarians around the globe.

While the Mayors Ball funds the RCDBR’s grant program, the Club also hosts the annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon founded by Helen M. Babione. Approaching its 25th year this event has recognized physician leadership and excellence while raising scholarship monies for students at Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, students at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University, healthcare students at Lynn University and Palm Beach State College.

For sponsorship and underwriting opportunities as well as ticket reservations, visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org or contact Jon Kaye at 561-392-5166 email mayorsball@rotarydowntownbocaraton. org #bocaratonmayorsball

Boca Raton, FL – The City of Boca Raton has been awarded a scholarship to join the Florida Race to Zero cohort, a friendly competition between municipalities to showcase how they are leading the way to carbon neutrality. Boca Raton is one of just 22 municipalities in the state to receive the schola r s h i p f r o m t h e Florida League of Cities.

T h e C i t y r ec e n t l y c o m m i t t e d to the global Citi e s R a c e t o Z e r o pledge, which aims to achieve net zer o c a r b o n e m i ssions before 2050. Mayor Scott Singer, who signed the p l e d g e o n b e h a l f o f B o c a R a t o n , reiterated the imp o r t a n c e o f c o llaborative regional effor ts. “T he City is prepared to be a leader in addressing climate change while working with our peer communities. Regional, national, and global efforts are required to achieve meaningful impacts and meet the goal of net zero before 2050.”

As a Florida Race to Zero scholarship recipient, the City will join a cohort – a str uctured, technical assistance training prog ram that will guide participants toward tangible results. Cities will r e c e ive a s s i s t a n c e c o n d u c t i n g g r e e nhouse g as inventories, developing scie n c e - b a s e d t a r g e t s, i m p l e m e n t i n g a n action plan, reporting results and more – all in alignment with the Race to Zero campaign.

“ T h e C i t y C o u n c i l s h owe d g r e a t leadership by acting on climate change and signing on to the Cities Race to Zero pledge. To meet the program goals, we’ll develop science-based emission reduction targets for 2030 and the high-impact actions necessar y to meet them. As part of the cohor t, we now have access to the technical supp o r t , e x p e r t i s e , a n d p a r t n e r s h i p s

“The City Council necessar y to make sure that Boca Rashowed great ton is on track to leadership by acting a net zero future,” explained Lindsey on climate change Ro l a n d N i e r a t k a , and signing on to the the City’s Sustain ability Manager. -

Cities Race to Zero A s a c o a s t a l pledge. To meet the c o m m u n i t y, B oca Raton has long program goals, we’ll c h a m p i o n e d a n d develop science-based p r o t e c t e d a l l i t s n a t u r a l e n v i r o nemission reduction ments. In 2019, the targets for 2030.” C i t y i n t r o d u c e d t h e S u s t a i n a b i l i t y A c t i o n P l a n , t h e framework to imp l e m e n t g e n e r a l goals and policies related to sustainability. The Race to Zero pledge incorporates climate actions from this Plan, including an assessment of the City’s fleet for electric vehicle adoption and an evaluation of City facilities that are equipped for renewable energ y generation. Additional effor ts include setting the City’s science-based 2030 target which will represent the city’s “fair share” of global carbon emission reductions. Additional infor mation about the City’s Sustainability Action Plan can be found on the City’s website at www.myboca.us/sustainability. To see a list of communities that are participating in the Race to Zero, visit https://www.floridaracetozero.com/

In the second year since the Pandemic that shut the world down in life and business, the Batmasian Family has come forth to help support local business and our community.

Since moving to South Florida in 1983, Jim and Marta Batmasian have invested in the region by acquiring residential and commercial properties. Today, their company Investments Limited is the largest, privately-held, family-owned real estate company in the region. Many of their most notable properties include Royal Palm Place, Fifth Avenue Shoppes, the Shops at University Park (formerly Plum Plaza), Sanctuary Shoppes. Through the acquisition of key properties, renovations, the establishment of Changing Lives and Propel, and contributions to small business, nonprofits and community programs, the Batmasian Family has helped change the business landscape of the region.

In an effort to embrace local business and ingenuity, the Batmasians have launched their second micro-grants program inviting inventors, idea makers, creators and entrepreneurs to apply, share their vision and mission, and how they will impact the community as a whole. The 2021 Batmasian Family Grant provided $100,000 to 10 worthy businesses undergoing hardships within retail, restaurant and the service industries.

In 2022, the Batmasian Family Foundation endeavored to continue their legacy and acknowledge the innovators and idea makers in the region.

Applications can be submitted online at www.batmasianfamilygrant.com and are due by June 30, 2022. A panel of local business leaders, the Chamber of Commerce and City officials of Boca Raton and Delray Beach will review the applicants to select the finalists.

A total of $150,000 will be awarded to 12 entrepreneurs and businesses ranging from $25,000 (1st place), $20,000 (2nd place), $15,000 (3rd place), $10,000 for each of the remaining 9 top finalists. Applicants must reside within Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties and demonstrate plans for operations within the tricounty area or plans that will positively benefit the region. For complete guidelines for applicants, please visit www.batmasianfamilygrant.com.

Each finalist will present their plans and ideas in person or virtually in June 2022 for final selection. Grant winners will be announced by July 25, 2022.

“We were so fortunate to have won a grant from the Batmasian Family last year. As a small family business, we faced so many challenges during Covid (being closed for months, losing staff members, and many others) and this grant allowed us to make improvements that were crucial for our growth, including investing in marketing to grow our clientele, also doing improvements and renovations at our barber shop .

“As a way to give back to our community the blessing we received, we gave away 7 scholarships to barber students to participate in our apprentice barber workshop. Through thegenerosity of the Batmasian family, we were able to not only grow our business, but also transform 7 more people’s lives, helping them have a successful career as a barber!

Always keep in mind the more we give, the more we receive! I have no words to thank the Batmasian Family for this gift. It will never be forgotten.”

Ligia Moreno Invictus Barber Shop

The Batmasian Family Grant will help minimize the financial strains some new businesses are experiencing and put them on a path to success. The Batmasians have contributed millions over the decades to aspiring entrepreneurs and businesses, nonprofits, education and the community; after having built their company from a small $5,000 personal investment in 1960 to a $2 billion family-owned and operated company. Today they continue to help individuals and business owners in our communities through Propel and Changing Lives, which they founded, in addition to yearly contributions to home, health, family and community non-profits and programs.