TRANSFORMING TRAGEDY INTO ETHICS EDUCATION AT BROWARD COLLEGE

Motivated by the tragic loss of their son Michael, Jr. due to an auto accident caused by a dealer’s unscrupulous automotive technician’s decision to substitute quality parts for inferior parts on the used car he purchased that fateful day, Michael and Pam Grimmé six years ago established the Michael J. Grimmé II Ethical Decision-Making Training at Broward College.

This month, the now half-day “Ethics and You” program attracted nearly 50 students and included guest speakers from high-profile legal and transportation industries to co-facilitate the interactive discussions. The curriculum content was tailored to actively engage transportation students in applying ethical frameworks to practical situations, promote open communication, and foster a deeper understanding of ethical dilemmas they may encounter in their academic and professional lives.

The Grimmé family’s goal is to build on the success of this model and inspire other philanthropic investments to incorporate ethics education into various programs at Broward College like Business, Health Sciences, STEM, and Public Safety through dedicated courses or integrated modules within existing classes.

DR. XIAO WANG: 

HONORING 25 YEARS OF GIVING

On November 15, Broward College celebrated once again the achievements of its dedicated employees during the annual Osprey Awards.

During the awards ceremony, the Broward College Foundation honored and spotlighted the philanthropic contributions of faculty and staff. The Foundation recognized those who had been giving consecutively or continuously for 5, 10, 15, 25, and 30 years. One of the honorees was Senior Professor of English, Dr. Xiao Wang.

Dr. Wang began her philanthropic journey with Broward College 25 years ago, just one year after she started teaching, and has been a donor ever since. Thousands of students and alumni have improved their communication skills through her classes, unaware that Dr. Wang has been contributing philanthropically also to their success.

Sharing her motivation for giving, Dr. Wang says:

"I give because I care about our students in their pursuit of their dreams in the academic world and in their endless learning for the betterment of themselves and the world we live in."

PANKU MAGAZINE VOL. 61 
LAUNCHES IN PRINT AND ONLINE

Over the past six decades, thousands of Broward College alumni and graduates have contributed to, edited, or been involved with the award-winning, student-driven Panku magazine, making it a cornerstone of the college's artistic community.

On November 20, the latest generation of Panku student editors and creatives launched the 61st volume before an audience of 80 alumni, students, faculty, staff, proud family members, and friends of Broward College.

Founded in 1964, Panku Magazine is a bi-annual literary and art publication funded by Broward College. The magazine is named after the Chinese god of creation, Panku, who, according to mythology, created the sun, the moon, the heavens, and the Earth. It is said that anyone endowed with creativity is possessed by the spirit of Panku.

During the Vol 61 launch event, student artists and creators guided the audience through their works and read a selection of poetry and prose.

Faculty Advisor, Professor Regine Darius, had this to say about the students behind Panku: "Working with these students has been a pleasure. To see their drive and dedication to this issue has rejuvenated my own writing practice and creativity. They have reminded me how important the arts are for humanity, and I hope that they can continue reminding us for years to come."

Panku Volume 61 is now available for viewing online here.

A limited number of hard copies remain for Broward College supporters while supplies last. Please write to alumni@broward.edu if you would like a hard copy or if you would like to appear as a sponsor in future Panku publications.

STUDENTS AND ALUMNI GATHER TO LUNCH, NETWORK, AND BE INSPIRED

Broward College students met with alumni and professionals at the inaugural Lunch, Network and Inspire event on North Campus on November 19. In addition to taking steps to expand their professional networks, both students and alumni learned from Professor Patricia Alphonse that networking isn't just a buzzword; it's a secret weapon for career success opening doors to valuable information, job opportunities, and a supportive community.

Some other highlights that we learned from Professor Alphonse's interactive and engaging presentation included: Keeping connections alive, remembering the people you meet, and always being your authentic self.

Learn more.

Commencement is always an exciting, high energy, joyful moment in the lives of students, their families, and Broward College. If you love being an outgoing and fun-spirited volunteer then Alumni & Friends invites you to experience graduation day at our Alumni & Friends booth on December 12 at the Amerant arena in Sunrise between 10 am and 5 pm. You will assist us in setting up and taking down our booth, help our graduates and their families take pictures and selfies at our station, and hand out Alumni & Friends welcome gifts to our newest alumni. Parking is free and snacks will be provided. To volunteer, please send your name and contact details to alumni@broward.edu or text us at 954 358 9370.

Join us on Wednesday, January 22, 2024, at A. Hugh Adams Central Campus for the Second Annual Broward College Mental Health Symposium, where we will provide valuable mental health awareness and guidance to support our community. Originally postponed due to Hurricane Milton, we’re excited to welcome back our pre-registered guests and invite new participants to join us on this new date. If you previously registered, you will receive an email with your ticket confirmation for the updated event date. We look forward to seeing you there!

January has been recognized as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month since 2010. In honor of this month, we invite you to join us on Saturday, January 25, 2025, for our 3rd Annual 5K Walk for Awareness, hosted by the Broward College Chapter of Project Stay Gold, Broward College Alumni & Friends, and the Social Behavioral Sciences and Human Services Pathway. This event unites alumni, students, community members, faculty, and staff to raise awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery, which are serious issues that affect our community and nation.

Since opening in 2001, The College Academy at Broward College has been a transformative space where ambition meets opportunity. As the only full-time public dual enrollment collegiate high school in Broward County, CA provides 11th and 12th-grade students with a life-changing opportunity: a head start at no cost.

Demonstrating the impact of its history to date, the College Academy at Broward College has begun to spotlight its alumni, such as Class of 2018 graduate Darion Thompson.

After graduating from College Academy, Darion went on to earn his degree from the University of Florida. Upon entering the professional world, he started his career at a dynamic startup, SOMA Global, where he played a key role in developing aviation software for local police agencies and processing Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) data. Read the full alumni spotlight here.

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

Embrace the best the holiday season has in store this December with TicketsatWork deals! From discounts to Disney to flights, electronics and more, TicketsatWork can help you navigate all the amazing deals during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond! Explore November offers on domestic and international flights and hotels, computers, appliances and much more. Use code BCALUMNI to access discounts at ticketsatwork.com.

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.