On Thursday, April 25, the Summit Yearbook was released for distribution to students, a spring tradition Pensacola Christian College has kept since the first school year. In spring 1975, students published PCC’s first yearbook and named it the Summit because it captured the high points of the school year. Today, the tradition continues. As the College celebrates 50 years of influencing the world for Christ, the 2023–2024 Summit helps students remember the year’s many exciting events. And to help mark this special year, for the first time in the College’s history, the Summit has been fully printed in color.
A Year in Review
This year’s Summit serves as an opportunity for students to look back on not only the school year but also the legacy of PCC. “[Summit] has a recurring aspect of PCC life throughout the years,” explained Addie Tastet (Jr., OR), who served as writing and support staff. “For example, major changes throughout the years have been highlighted along with how [PCC life] looks today—it drew off the legacy aspect of college life. I’ve grown to appreciate the legacy that past students have made, and I have a revived spirit for the impact I’m making at PCC for future generations to enjoy.”
To illustrate the student experience, the Summit highlights favorite student events and activities. The Spiritual Life section features Christian Service opportunities and the spring Legacy Bible Conference. Other pages include collegian activities, Greek Rush, Career Fair, and much more. “My favorite event in the Summit is the Turkey Bowl,” remarked Addie. “There’s something about the buzz on campus that I just love. Excitement for Thanksgiving break along with the warm feelings of the holidays makes [the] Turkey Bowl so much more enjoyable.”
A recently added section, the Class Spotlight showcases an academic project to acknowledge the course’s students and their hard work. Students look forward to the behind-the-scenes look at what goes into finishing these projects. This year spotlighted the Fountains student staff, giving a glimpse of how they applied editing and publication courses to produce the 34th edition of Fountains, a collection of student-written poetry, fiction, and nonfiction pieces that PCC publishes yearly.
“I’ve grown to appreciate the legacy that past students have made, and I have a revived spirit for the impact I’m making at PCC for future generations to enjoy.”
An anticipated part of the yearbook’s release is the dedication page reveal. Usually, the Summit is dedicated to one PCC staff or faculty member who has profoundly shaped students’ college experience. But in light of the College’s golden anniversary, President Shoemaker noted, “We couldn’t dedicate the yearbook to just one person.” Inscribed on this year’s dedication page, PCC recognizes the faculty “for their commitment to excellence and their faithful service to the student body.”
From Process to Product
A great deal of effort goes into getting the Summit ready for distribution. Behind the scenes, students in the Yearbook Practicum class spend hours planning and editing the book, making sure each detail comes together to create a beautiful school memento for their fellow students. “[Students] work together to design pages, select photo content, and proof each student’s photo and information,” explained Mrs. Esther Hallman, head of Summit staff. “There were 21 students taking Yearbook Practicum, coming from degrees such as graphic design and professional writing, as well as marketing, accounting, and history.”
“[Students] work together to design pages, select photo content, and proof each student’s photo and information.”
This year, the finished product is a blue and gold yearbook. “The theme for this yearbook was a take on a Victorian art style,” said Michael Mercadante (Sr., NJ), a Summit designer. “We chose this style to best represent the 50th—we wanted it to look official and collegiate because it is such a monumental year.”
Wherever students go once the semester ends, this Summit will help them recall the experiences they have enjoyed these last two semesters and reminisce on how God has blessed PCC over the years. “As you look through your yearbook, you’ll see that we’ve included some of the favorite campus activities, [like] Eagles sports, collegian outings, Christmas Lights Celebration, concerts, even Legacy Chapels and anniversary events,” said President Troy Shoemaker. “It’s a tradition to honor.”
The Summit Yearbook represents PCC’s longstanding dedication to excellence and creating an atmosphere where students can thrive academically and grow spiritually. Bound inside its pages are the meaningful memories that have shaped and continue to shape the Christian leaders of tomorrow.