YOU AND THE BLUE: A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of Broward College

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APRIL 2024

CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF COMPASSION AND CARE:

THE KLINGENSMITH SISTERS' IMPACT ON NURSING EDUCATION

Romeyne and Sara Klingensmith, two sisters committed to making a difference in the world, graduated from the Braddock General Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1919 amidst the 1918 influenza pandemic. As they stepped into the battle against the flu that claimed millions of lives worldwide, their actions became a source of inspiration for many who followed in their footsteps. Their legacy continued to flourish as they later embarked on new chapters of their lives, nurturing families, and fostering a love of education in their children.

In 1998, Romeyne’s children established nursing scholarships at Broward College in honor of their mother and Aunt Sara, fostering a family tradition of giving. Since then, more than $100,000 has been raised by 107 friends and descendants of both Romeyne and Sara Klingensmith making philanthropic gifts to the nursing scholarships in their name. To date, more than 150 nursing students have been supported through these scholarships. The Romeyne and Sara Klingensmith scholarships have become more than a fund to support aspiring nurses; they are a testament to the transformative power of education, and the ripple effect of one family’s dedication to making the world a better place.

A FIRST TIME DONOR STORY:
FROM A 99-YEAR-OLD STUDENT

An inspiring donor story, indeed. Ninety-nine-year-old Broward College student from North Campus, David Lipsit made his first donation to the College's First Generation in College Scholarship. David approached Dr. Mirsad Krijestorac, assistant professor of political science about a donation. David was inspired to know that his $6,000 gift will be matched 2:1 by the State of Florida. To learn more about this inspiring donor story, click here.

GRADUATE RAHJANNI IUSI,
SPRING 2024 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Join us in congratulating alumna Rahjanni Iusi, Class of 2019, who will give the Spring 2024 Commencement address on May 7 at Hard Rock Live. Rahjanni is a mother, army veteran, and counselor with a passion for helping fellow veterans in the areas of addiction recovery and mental health. She is also a dynamic and seasoned public speaker who will impress and inspire our graduating students. Learn more.

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

	Seven exceptional professors receive 2024-2025 Endowed Teaching Chair awards Seven Broward College professors received special recognition for their excellence in the classroom as part of the 2024-2025 Endowed Teaching Chair Awards program. Learn more.
	Broward College recognizes its most outstanding faculty We are pleased to announce Broward College’s outstanding faculty members who were recognized as the College’s 2023-2024 Professors of the Year. Learn more.
	Ignacio Beroiz, Spring 2024 Graduate Ignacio Beroiz decided to attend Broward College because he heard the school has a great art program, and now the award-winning art major just graduated with an associate degree in art. Learn more.
	Cindy Ann Howe, Spring 2024 Graduate Cindy Anne Howe is part of Broward College in two ways – a student and an employee. Understanding students’ perspectives and being able to relate to their experiences as a college student herself has been one of the most meaningful experiences she has had. Howe graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Supervision and Management. Learn more.

On behalf of the National Air, Sea, and Space Foundation, you're invited to the official kick-off event for the Fort Lauderdale Air Show on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 6:30 -8:30 p.m. One hundred percent of ticket sales proceeds will benefit the Stephen “Cajun” Del Bagno Memorial Scholarship at Broward College honoring fallen Thunderbird Stephen “Cajun” Del Bagno. The scholarship, known as the Cajun Scholarship, aims to support aspiring aviators at Broward College. It is distinctive in that it can be used for both flight fees and tuition.

The Fort Lauderdale Air Show will feature exclusive access to aircraft and pilots featured in the Air Show, live entertainment, libations, and culinary tastings catered by Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale and Residences all set on the Tarmac of Jetscape Alpha.

Join us on Thursday, May 16, from 6 to 7 p.m., for an enlightening webinar hosted by Broward College Alumni & Friends in collaboration with Preferred Legal Plan, designed to navigate the crucial yet often overlooked aspects of legal preparation for caregivers and individuals alike.

This session aims to shed light on the importance of proactive legal planning, addressing the critical question of why and when to start thinking about essential legal documents. The answer is simple: the time is NOW. Early preparation allows you to designate decision-makers for your assets and health before incapacitation or death, ensuring your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected.

This webinar is ideal for both caregivers and individuals seeking to learn more about personal estate planning concepts. Bring your questions.

The Broward College Inaugural Pickleball Challenge will provide a fun and challenging environment for players of ALL LEVELS to test their skills and compete against others who share their passion for the game while providing precious resources in support of Broward College student’s success. Stay tuned for more details.

From October 18 to 19, 2024, the Broward College Computer Science and IT programs in the STEM Pathway will host its 9th Annual BC Hackathon aka PlutoHacks, a 24-hour coding event where teams of students design and develop prototype mobile/web apps to present before a panel of judges.

As planning gets underway for this year, the BC Hackathon planning team extends an invitation to Alumni & Friends for participation either as individuals or organizations to serve as mentors or a judge for our students during the event. There are also a number of sponsorship opportunities.

For more information about volunteering or sponsoring Plutohacks, please contact Ester “Etty” Sims, Academic Technologist at Broward College at esims1@broward.edu or call 954-201-6561.

36TH BROWARD COLLEGE GOLF CLASSIC

You can also relive the fantastic moments and memories from the event by checking out our recent video above.

The 36th Annual Broward College Golf Classic raised more than $100,000 for the Empowerment Fund, which enables the College to respond quickly to the critical needs of the Broward College community and advances key priorities to enhance student success.

Sponsors of the Broward College Golf Classic included Cigna, Fastrack MCI, State Contracting & Engineering Corp., UDT, AVI-SPL, American National Bank, Gehring Group, and Kibler Construction, Coconut Creek Auto Mall, Stephens Distributing, Tropic Ocean Airways, CIGNA, Accentria Insurance, ANF Group, Barefoot Financial, CSPi Technology Solutions, Innovate-AV, Kibler Construction, Stiles, LeGrand AV, Pirtle Construction, SGM Engineering, Inc., Toshiba Business Solutions, Consultis, LPL Financial, Stiles, Advanced Roofing, Corebride Financial, DEX Imaging, Gerflor USA, Humana, PGAL, T&G Constructors, Zyscovich, Equitable Advisors, Stinghouse Creative, Securitas Technologies, Thermal Concepts, Teresa S. Justice, Marc Tanner, Miller Legg, Geoff Thomas, Will Holcombe, Ray Casey, Ron Habas, Lloyd Rhodes, as well as dozens of individual players.

Golfers also enjoyed a buffet lunch prior to teeing off, as well as beverages and snacks along the course, a buffet dinner, silent and live auctions, and a raffle. Live auction items included an unforgettable ride on the Goodyear Blimp and a roundtrip flight on Tropic Ocean Airways with a stay at Resorts World Bimini in the Bahamas.

To learn more about the event and to view photos, click here.

P'an Ku - 60 Years of Excellence

On Thursday, April 18, 2024, P'an Ku celebrated its 60th anniversary with the volume 60 launch party and celebration taking place in the library on the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus. This event, hosted by the P'an Ku student club and Broward College Alumni & Friends, celebrated the legacy of the longest-standing student club at Broward College and the works of current students and alumni who provide the community with a rich depth of art and culture from this award-winning publication.

Class of 1987 alumnus Brian Herbert has built an exemplary career as an architect in South Florida. Brian is the owner and CEO of GHA Architects and Development Consultants, Inc. a multifaceted group of design and planning professionals based in Deerfield Beach whose services to a national clientele span various areas, including architecture, consulting, and interiors. Learn more.

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

Get instant access to discounts on theme parks, entertainment, gifts, hotels, sporting events, concerts, theaters, movie tickets, and more nationwide. This program is available to all alumni, friends, and employees of Broward College.

Start saving today. Go to www.ticketsatwork.com and click “Become a Member” below. Fill in your name, and password, and where it says Company Code, enter BCALUMNI and submit.

See May’s special deals 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.