A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of Broward College

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Most of us can handle high stress for short periods of time, and for some of us, stress is simply a big part of our daily lives. But as we approach our third week of the COVID-19 pandemic, stress and anxiety levels are rising. We want to know, how you are doing? (Reply here.)

At Broward College, we have been adjusting to working remotely whenever possible. We are even starting to imagine what our “new normal” will be. For the foreseeable future, the majority of college employees will continue to work remotely for the safety of all. Most classes have transitioned to remote learning with 93 percent taking place online and we are making great progress on how to address “hands-on” sessions like labs and clinicals. We have learned how to lean in and embrace uncertainty, as these extraordinary times have required adjustments that at this moment might feel uncomfortable.

Please know, we see these adjustments as a reflection of our focus on taking care of each other. Broward College President Gregory Adam Haile’s inspirational mantra – “Together We Serve” – has become our way of life … guiding our decision making daily with our students and community’s best interests in mind. Together, with our dedicated, talented, and creative team of Broward College’s faculty and staff, we will continue to serve our students, each other, and our community.

To keep you engaged with your alma mater, we are working on ways to stay in touch virtually, until such time as our events resume. Look for upcoming webinars and online town halls. We are quite excited about these new opportunities to connect and look forward to your participation.

For more information about the many ways Broward College is ensuring our students continue their educational journeys as safely as possible, please visit this web page.

Nancy O'Donnell-Wilson, Vice President for Advancement, Broward College
Executive Director, Broward College Foundation

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

Please enjoy, like and share this incredible song produced, arranged and edited by Broward College dual enrollment alumna Shelbie Rassler, a senior at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Shelbie plays more than 13 instruments and personally arranged all the singers, instrumentalists, musicians, dancers, and artists virtually, at home, social distancing as her last semester ended early due to the coronavirus COVID-19.

Click the image above to view the video.

Shelbie came up with the idea to collaborate online with her friends, many of whom are seniors and are not be able to have their graduation ceremony or recitals. It also has an appearance by her mom, Karen Rassler, also a dual enrollment alumna of Broward College and a graduate of the University of Michigan.

DREAMS ARE POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK

Brother and sister duo Braulio and Vianca Hashimoto are living out the epitome of the American Dream as hardworking, first-generation students at Broward College.

Vianca Hashimoto and her brother Braulio

Braulio and Vianca Hashimoto, of Japanese descent, emigrated with their parents from Lima, Peru, when they were 10 and 8, respectively. Now at 25 and 23, they both have earned associate degrees – walking the graduation stage at Broward College together. The two, often confused as twins, now work in banking while completing their bachelor’s degrees at the College.

Read the rest of Braulio and Vianca's story.

NEW DATE! BROWARD COLLEGE GOLF CLASSIC

The Broward College 33rd Annual Golf Classic has been rescheduled and now tees up this fall on Thursday, October 8, 2020  at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club.

Fort Lauderdale Country Club recently opened its fully renovated North Course, which boasts five sets of tees from 4,700 to 7,200 yards. Don’t miss out on playing this pristine and challenging new course. REGISTER EARLY!!!

The day of the tournament, registration begins at 11 a.m. After lunch, the Golf Classic kicks off with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Activities and contests on the courses include longest drive, closest to the pin, and a hole-in-one competition. After golfing, enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner, award ceremony, and silent and live auctions, with items that include: a trip for two to Bimini from Tropic Ocean Airways, a suite at BB&T Center, Broward Center for the Performing Arts tickets, gift certificates, and more.

Sponsorship opportunities ranging from $1,200 to $10,000 are still available and will get your company’s name in front of some of Broward County’s most important civic and community leaders. Thanks to Cigna for coming on board as dinner sponsor, Fastrack MCI as golf shirt sponsor, and CSPi as hat sponsor.

We're also grateful to our Platinum, Gold and Bronze sponsors.

Platinum Sponsors: Johnson Controls Fire Protection and Legrand AV

Gold Sponsors: ANF Construction, Barefoot Financial, Green Team Plumbing, Humana, Keith & Associates, PGAL / Kaufman Lynn, Pirtle Construction, Ricoh, SGM Engineering, and State Contracting & Engineering Corporation

Double Bronze Sponsors: AvMed and Dental Dental

Bronze Sponsors: Advanced Roofing, BRPH Architects-Engineers, Consultis, Harvard Jolly, Lego Construction, Miller Legg, and Soprema.

If you'd like to see your company’s name in the next issue of You & the Blue, join the elite group above and sponsor the Broward College Golf Classic! For more information, email Elisa Stone.

Since its inception, the annual Golf Classic has raised more than $2.7 million to support the educational environment at Broward College, ensuring our students ultimately succeed in life. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will benefit the First Generation in College Scholarship.

RECENT ALUMNI & FRIENDS EVENTS

As these images attest, the year got off to a great start, and we're looking forward to seeing you again in person!  

Monday, January 20: Broward College alumni, students and staff members participated in the Alumni & Friends Network’s MLK Day of Service, in honor of Dr. King’s legacy to uplift communities.

Friday, January 24: a meeting of the Alumni & Friends Steering Committee took place at the office of alumnus Shea Smith, CPA with Berkowitz, Pollack and Brant, who said, “It was amazing to hear everyone’s stories and how Broward College impacted their lives. We really have a tremendous opportunity to make an impact and connect BC Alumni & Friends around the needs of the student population and community in general.”

Tuesday, January 28: During the Women of Tomorrow Career Panel on the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, Broward College alumnae met with prospective students from Dillard and Western High Schools.

Wednesday, February 5: A Speed Mentoring session for students was held in the Student Life office on Central Campus, featuring alumni mentors.

Wednesday, February 19: Christine Ramirez of Dale Carnegie Training South Florida presented at the Broward College Alumni & Friends Leadership Luncheon at the Willis Holcombe Center on Las Olas Boulevard.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS NETWORK

In these trying times, we want to remind you that we’ve partnered with GEICO to offer alumni, friends and our employees a special discount on car insurance. Visit GEICO online or call 1-800-368-2734 to find out how much you could save today!

Be sure to mention your Broward College affiliation to be eligible for the special discount.

Did you know you could save money, save time, and help students become Empowered by Broward all at once? When you buy your gifts, clothing, food, and other products through Amazon Smile, you can direct a percentage of your purchase to the Broward College Foundation and support the students at Broward College.

Prices on Amazon Smile are identical to those on the regular Amazon site. You’ll enjoy the same convenience and help make a student’s dream of higher education a reality.

Learn how easy it is to set up your Amazon Smile account.

PROVIDING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

When you include the Broward College Foundation in your financial and estate planning, you ensure your legacy of providing opportunity to students who are determined to change their lives through the pursuit of higher education. Help someone become Empowered by Broward!

For more information, email Scott Rivinius or call 954-201-7490.