P'AN KU 60TH ANNIVERSARY
LAUNCH PARTY

This year marks the 60th anniversary of P’an Ku magazine, the award-winning student literary and visual arts magazine of Broward College. In celebration of this great milestone, we invite you to join us at the magazine's launch party on Thursday, April 18. To RSVP, click here.

We invite former writers and artists who contributed to P’an Ku to tell us about their experiences and fondest memories. Write to us at alumni@broward.edu.

LEGACY SECURED, FOREVER:
HONORING ROBERT "BOB" HEPPLER

When the family of the late Broward College Senior Professor, Dr. J. Robert “Bob” Heppler, reached out to the Broward College Foundation, we were delighted to learn that they had intended to make a collaborative gift in memory of their uncle. 

Greg Kelleher, whose late mother was Bob’s sister, and his five siblings, Kellianne, Joe, Helen, Mark, and Chris wanted Bob’s teaching legacy at Broward College to endure. By each of them gifting $20,000, they established the Dr. J. Robert “Bob” Heppler Memorial Endowed Scholarship with $100,000 establishing the corpus of this perpetual scholarship. 

With the remaining $20,000 they also created a current-use scholarship so it could be awarded to students studying English and/or communications next semester. And, because of Bob’s love of books—he had rooms full of them in his home in Davie, FL as well as a family home in PA—the Kellehers established a memorial fund at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus Library.

Dr. Monique Blake, Dean of Libraries and Academic Success Centers, shares: “Dr. Heppler was a life learner who believed in enriching the lives of students; he also loved to exercise. Bob encouraged students to utilize Broward College Libraries and Academic Success Centers resources and services. He was also my professor for the communications course at Florida Atlantic University. I miss him.”

If Bob made an impact on you as he did on Dr. Blake—either in the classroom or through his advocacy for faculty—you can also contribute to this memorial scholarship. Or, if this story inspires you to establish a tribute to a faculty member who made a difference in your life and you would like to honor them, please email Scott Rivinius or call 954-201-7490.

Our gratitude toward the thoughtful and caring members of the Kelleher family for this incredible tribute to their uncle’s career spent at Broward College!

WAYNE BOULIER,
DEAN OF INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC SAFETY

We celebrate alumnus Wayne K. Boulier, a seasoned professional with a diverse background in public safety and education, on his appointment as Dean of the Broward College Institute of Public Safety. Wayne is a proud graduate of the Policy Academy, class PA 105, in 1984. Since 2005 when he was appointed as an adjunct instructor at the College, Wayne has steadily risen through the ranks, demonstrating solid leadership and dedication to the field. To learn more, click here. 

Do you have news to share? A major milestone? Career change? Tell us at Class Notes - Broward College Alumni & Friends.

Graphic Design Students Score Big at the ADDY Awards

Broward College graphic design students recently won several awards during the annual American Advertising Awards Gala, hosted by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). Learn more.

Broward College iSTEM Center Opens its Doors to Faculty at Professional Development Day

As part of Broward College’s annual Professional Development Day, the ACCESS project introduced the iSTEM Center to faculty and staff with a ribbon-cutting event and small group tours. Learn more.

Black History Month Highlight with Rudy Jean Bart

In honor of Black History Month, Broward College highlights Associate Dean of the Criminal Justice Program Rudy Jean Bart through an in-depth interview about his professional career and community involvement. Learn more.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY

This year's Broward College Golf Classic will take place at the Jacaranda Golf Club, South Florida's semi-private golf club, featuring 36 holes of championship golf. 

By becoming a sponsor, you're not just investing in a game; you're investing in the future of our Broward College community through the Empowerment Fund.

GOLF COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT:
TERRI JUSTICE, CLASS OF '70  

On behalf of Alumni & Friends, we'd like to thank Terri Justice for her unwavering dedication and commitment to the Broward College Golf Classic spanning over three decades. Terri, a #BCProud alumna, earned her Associate in Arts degree in Music from Broward College in 1970 and later served as Dean of Academic Research and Institutional Technology. Terri's selfless spirit and passion for serving others have been evident through her generous contributions to the Golf Committee, furthering our mission to support Broward College students. Terri, your contributions make us immensely #BCProud. Thank you for all that you do!   

Photo caption: Terri Justice (left), Alumni Engagement Manager Anthony Stewart, and Chief of Staff of the Broward College Foundation Nancy Botero.   

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors, especially our esteemed top sponsors—CIGNA, AVI-SPL, Fastrack MCI, State Contracting & Engineering Corporation, and UDT—for their generous support of this year's Broward College Golf Classic. Your involvement not only enhances the excitement of our event but also directly supports Broward College students through the Empowerment Fund. 

To all potential sponsors out there, we invite you to join us in making a meaningful impact. Together, we can make a difference that resonates far beyond the greens.

If you have questions about the tournament or want to donate, please contact Elisa Stone at 954-240-8521 or estone1@broward.edu.

REAL ESTATE WEBINAR

Last month’s webinar Navigating Broward County’s Real Estate Jungle with Broward College alumna Désirée Ávila is now available online here.

In case you missed it, some of the key points covered were:

• Market Shifts: The real estate market has seen significant changes since the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-interest rates have stimulated high demand and low inventory, leading to increased prices and competition. However, the market is shifting from a seller’s market to a more neutral or buyer’s market as interest rates rise, sales volume drops, and inventory increases.
• Condo Market Challenges: The condo market is particularly challenging due to new laws and regulations that require condos to have sufficient reserves and repairs. Many condos have high fees, assessments, or no reserves at all, making them difficult to finance or sell.
• Rental Market Competition: The rental market is also very competitive and expensive due to the influx of people who moved to Florida for work or lifestyle reasons. Renters need to have a strong rental profile that shows their income, credit, background, and ability to pay rent.
• Property Appreciation: Over the last year, the median price of homes in Broward County has steadily increased. This trend is expected to continue, although it may vary in different areas of the county.
• Home Buying and Selling Tips: Buyers and sellers need to vet the condos carefully and be prepared for potential costs or losses. They also need to act fast when they find a suitable property or consider corporate rental communities that are more flexible but more costly.

Please note that this is but a high-level summary, so we invite you to watch the entire presentation which also covers issues of insurance, down payments, and much more.

As we approach April 18th and the 60th Anniversary celebration, launch party, and P’an Ku alumni reception, we are proud to spotlight alumni who have contributed to P’an Ku over the years. Read our interview with P’an Ku alumna Tiffany Sims here.

Would you like to be featured in our You & the Blue newsletter? Let us know by completing the alumni contact update form here.

Did you know you can support charitable organizations like ours through your IRA or 401(k)? By naming Broward College Foundation as a beneficiary, you can continue to make lifetime withdrawals and keep the flexibility to change beneficiaries if things change. 

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

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

Past issues of You & the Blue newsletter and recordings of interactive webinars are available online.