- May 5, 2024
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Palm Coast resident Patrick G. Barclay, was the first American and only African American to earn a Law Degree from Renmin University School of Law, ranked as China’s best law school by the Chinese Ministry of Education. As a member of the inaugural class of eight students, four of which were American citizens, Barclay successfully completed the two year course of study including the practicum and thesis requirements.
When asked why China, Barclay remarked, “China is the most important emerging economy in the world and America’s most significant trading partner. China and the U.S. are the heavy weights on each side of a scale that balances global security, world political power and international financial stability.”
Barclay shared that there were several simple factors that prompted his study. During the economic downturn after a successful corporate real estate services career spanning almost 20 years, millions were lost and he is still working feverishly to right that ship. Fortunately there were no foreclosures or bankruptcies, but his marriage did not survive. As an empty nester, Barclay thought about what he might be able to do with the second half of his life and while preparing for law librarianship, was granted a partial fellowship to study in a new program in China and accepted the challenge.
Barclay said that the cultural exchange living among the people of China has changed his life and perspective forever.
Barclay is finishing up his educational process with two more years of study to earn the Jurist Doctorate degree from the University of Sydney, School of Law, in Sydney, Australia currently ranked tenth in the world. Barclay’s parents, along with other aunts and uncles came to Palm Coast in the late 1970s after retiring. The son of Dorothy E. Barclay, a resident of Las Palmas and member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Barclay says his only regret is that his dad beloved Palm Coast resident Ferdinand L. Barclay, who died seven years ago, was not here to enjoy the achievement.
Barclay’s daughter Annanda is in her last year of seminary at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas and son Kristian, a graduate of Matanzas High School, is a student at the University of West Florida.
Florida Hospital HospiceCare announces new community liaison
Florida Hospital HospiceCare has a hired Diane B. Trask to serve as the Community Liaison.
In this new role, Trask will market directly to hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in both Volusia and Flagler counties.
Trask has more than 20 years of experience in the hospice field, and has served as a community liaison, social worker, patient care coordinator and admissions social worker.
Palm Harbor Academy yields high scores on year-end assessments
Palm Harbor Academy student’s grades K-2 performed above average on their year-end assessment testing.
The Palm Harbor Academy kindergarten class, led by state-certified Joy Blake, scored an average 90.8 on its year-end reading and math assessment.
“The Palm Harbor kindergartners showed remarkable progress throughout the year,” Blake said. “Some students showed growth of more than 40 points over the year, with the kindergartners reading 30 complete books.”
The first graders far surpassed the expected yearly growth standard of 1.5 on the GRADE/GMADE tests by scoring 2.38 in reading and 1.89 in math.
The year-end results of the second graders showed that they far exceeded the year-end growth standard of 2.5 by scoring an average of 3.83 in reading and 3.47 in math.
“This demonstrates how well our students can perform when we are involved with them at the beginning of their educational journey,” said Principal Esther Hamilton. “We believe all students benefit from the small class sizes at Palm Harbor because we are able to provide them individualized attention.”
Chiumento, Selis, Dwyer adds Florida Bar Board Certified tax attorney
Tax attorney Andrew Grant has joined the staff at Chiumento, Selis, Dwyer.
Grant has been practicing in Central Florida since 2001. He received a Master of Laws in Taxation from The University of Florida and is also Florida Bar Board Certified as a tax specialist.
