A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of Broward College

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS JOINS FOUNDATION BOARD

The Broward College Foundation appointed George I. Platt, Managing Partner of LSN Partners, to its Board of Directors during its September 24 board meeting.

Read more about George Platt.

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENT

The Broward College Alumni & Friends Network has an exciting new webinar next month!

Join us to for a “live” personality quiz and interactive discussion as we explore how people are inspired by culture to overcome daily and long-range challenges in any organization.

Learn which “Roo” you are from The Herd, a book about a new way to assess and align your talent, written by Dr. Stephen Dunnivant, who has more than 29 years of experience in public and higher education, and workforce and economic development.

Dr. Dunnivant is the Central Campus President and Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning Excellence at Broward College. He is originally from upstate New York and a graduate of Gulf Coast Community College, Florida State University, George Washington University, and the University of West Florida. He has presented at numerous national conferences and is a published educational author. At Gulf Coast State College, Dr. Dunnivant played the lead role in the development of a $35 million Advanced Technology Center, establishing key workforce partnerships with local and national industries to stimulate regional economic development. He served as the Dean of Business, Industry, and Technology at Tallahassee Community College, where he led a unique faculty loading model increasing student success.

Register for The Supreme Value of Culture today!

If you would like to suggest a topic or volunteer for a future Alumni & Friends event, email Jill Horowitz, your Alumni Engagement Officer.

FCSF VIRTUAL CHECK PRESENTATION

Traditionally, at the beginning of each academic year, representatives from the Florida College System Foundation make their way around the state to deliver scholarship funds to benefit students in the 28 academic institutions in the Florida College System. This year, on September 24, Broward College welcomed them virtually.

Participants in the virtual check presentation included Kathy Hebda, Chancellor of the Florida College System; Judy Green, President of the Florida College System Foundation; and Florida College System Foundation Directors George Platt and Randall Vitale.

Read more about the virtual check presentation.

MY GRATITUDE TO COLLEAGUES

On Monday, September 14, for the first time in six months, I had the opportunity to visit Broward College’s A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in Davie, the North Campus in Coconut Creek, and the Judson A. Samuels South Campus in Pembroke Pines. It reminded me of what a wonderful resource this college is for our community.

The occasion was an orientation for new members of the Broward College Foundation Board of Directors and two new staff members in the Office of Advancement, who had come aboard just before and just after the lockdown. We had discussed a virtual orientation, but decided that with the right precautions in place, a socially distanced in-person experience would be the best option.

And we were right. Broward College offers high-quality educational opportunities with world-class faculty and state-of-the art learning facilities that are best discovered in actual reality.

On Central we toured the Ralph R. Bailey Concert Hall, the Rosemary Duffy Larson Galley, and the Buehler Planetarium, three facilities that have benefited and will one day benefit again our students and the community-at-large through exposure to the lively and visual arts, and to the mysteries of the universe. We also toured the Health Sciences Simulation Center, which has already changed the delivery of advanced healthcare education.

On North we saw how simulation is being used in a health sciences classroom, and how three-dimensional technology is changing the face of manufacturing.

On South met faculty members who are continuing to teach their students the performing arts and allowing them to act live but in a safe, remote environment. And we saw the future of aviation in a soon-to-be completed hangar with new avionics education equipment.

Most of all, I am grateful for the deans, faculty and staff who went out of their way and above the call of duty to make this orientation a very special experience for the new board and staff members. I work with some of the most fantastic and talented and caring people in the world, and I look forward to the day when we are all able to be together again.

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

SEPTEMBER’S INSPIRING ALUMNI

Broward College is #BCProud to present these highly Inspirational Alumni as representatives of the enormous depth and breadth of careers, leadership and impact BC has to offer!

Choose a Pathway and see more Alumni Spotlights online!

VALLEY FORGE FABRICS: SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS

This month we received some wonderful news from Vanesa Patiño, a member of the Broward College Foundation Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer at Valley Forge Fabrics.

Every year on September 11, Valley Forge Fabrics hosts a Give Back Day to turn the day into a positive one. The company set up a GoFundMe page and matched every dollar contributed, so they could give back to communities and neighborhoods, helping to support those who are in need. This year proved to be more difficult due to COVID-19, but that did not stop them from giving what they could.

Beneficiaries this year included the Broward Partnership in Fort Lauderdale, Father Bill’s & Mainspring in Brockton, Massachusetts … and Broward College students in need.

Valley Forge Fabrics staff members Chris, Christy, Corn, Martha,
Ted, Abu, Ward, Mikey and Diana

Valley Forge Fabrics staff packed 189 comfort bags for students, each containing a pillow or blanket, a twin- or full-sized sheet set, extra pillowcases, a duvet and a mattress encasement. The average retail value of each bag is between $450 and $600, because they contain hotel standard, sustainable products, meaning the total in-kind value of this donation was approximately $100,000.

Valley Forge Fabrics hopes their gift will make a positive impact in the lives of individuals striving to improve their circumstances through higher education. Philanthropy is deeply ingrained in this corporation’s business model. Accordingly, they understand the important role that meeting basic human needs – such as having a safe, clean, and comfortable place to rest – plays in supporting student success.

The majority of the bedding bags will be distributed to students in Broward UP™ programs, and the remainder will be available to Broward College students through Seahawk Outreach Services.

We are truly grateful to Valley Forge Fabrics, the Dobin family, and Ms. Patiño for this generous support.

RECENT ALUMNI & FRIENDS EVENT

On September 23, the Broward College Alumni & Friends Network hosted an interactive hour of Mindfulness and Motivation with Dr. Lisa Elsinger, whose “take-away” was dedicating a few minutes of each day to meditation and reflections; Teresa Simeon, who spoke about the power of creativity; and Dr. Mario Vazquez, who talked about the benefits of visualization.

More than 140 individuals representing alumni, currently enrolled students, faculty, College staff, and friends participated in this interactive event and offered some great feedback. “Great programming and speakers!” “It was very interesting information!” “Very informative and engaging, helpful hints that we need to be reminded of.” Watch a recording of the “Mindfulness and Motivation” webinar.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS NETWORK BENEFIT

In these trying times, we want to remind you 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.

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.

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 Empowerment Fund, which provides the most flexibility to do what is right for our students.

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.

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Past issues of your You & the Blue newsletter are available online.