A NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF BROWARD COLLEGE

MEET BROWARD COLLEGE PRESIDENT GREGORY ADAM HAILE

At the beginning of this month, we welcomed Gregory Adam Haile, Esq. as the 7th president of Broward College. The Broward College District Board of Trustees announced his appointment in May. Haile, who has been with the College since 2011, is the former General Counsel and Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs.

Haile is a first-generation college graduate who received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and his Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law. In addition to his experience as General Counsel, he has also taught at Harvard, Miami Dade College and Broward College. Haile is a strong advocate for education and improving the local community.

Haile is eager for the opportunity to work on improving the Broward County community by strengthening the College’s outreach to the most underserved citizens.

“I know that there are still many communities in Broward County that are not benefitting from our existence,” says Haile. “This organization has done tremendous things and we continue to grow every day but I know that there are still cities with double-digit unemployment and many communities that don’t believe college is available to them and I consider that a major concern of mine and priority to address.”

Haile plans to tackle this by creating a strong campaign for education within the community. He understands that to change the misconception that college is unachievable for the local youth, the initial effort must be to engage parents as the main communicators to the youth that college is a natural continuation of a person’s educational journey.

“I want to make sure that every corner of our county knows that we exist to provide them with an opportunity to have a great life.”

Haile, who grew up in Jamaica, Queens, New York, a neighborhood overwhelmed with violence and drugs, understands very well the many challenges students may face on a day-to-day basis, especially in tough communities.

“We have to play a role in helping our students understand that, notwithstanding anything that they’ve dealt with in their past or deal with on a day-to-day basis, they have the capacity to be great at this institution and beyond,” explains Haile. “Sometimes we have challenges that can interrupt our ability to be successful and part of what every student has the capacity to do is navigate beyond that to achieve their maximum potential.”

In an email to Broward College faculty and staff, Haile offered the entire College community his heartfelt appreciation for the most sincere and welcoming reception any new president could imagine. “Everyone has been wonderful and, on behalf of myself, my wife Chae, and our two daughters, Hadley and Sloane, thank you! As a family, we are honored by the privilege to serve you (every Broward College employee), our students, and Broward County. I must also extend my personal gratitude to President J. David Armstrong, Jr., who has been an extraordinary champion for Broward College in our county, in Florida, and throughout the world. He has left an indelible mark on this institution.”

THANK YOU, J. DAVID ARMSTRONG, JR.

In a recent email to Broward College faculty and staff members, J. David Armstrong, Jr. expressed gratitude for the privilege of serving as President and CEO of a “wonderful institution” for 11 years. “Whether as president, president emeritus or as citizen and businessman,” he said, “I will always be Broward College’s advocate and supporter and actively doing whatever I can to promote student, college, and community success.”

To demonstrate his commitment to the College and its students, Armstrong has left a tangible legacy with a personal contribution of $200,000.

Half of these funds will support a new Student Venture Fund founded within BCEduventures to support the business plans of the College’s student entrepreneurs. The remainder will establish The Armstrong Fund within the Broward College Foundation. This will be an innovative, donor-designated fund that will support College initiatives, such as the American Dream Scholarship, and other worthwhile programs for students.

During Armstrong’s tenure, Broward College was named three times as a Top Ten college in the United States by the Aspen Institute. The accomplishments and all the academic, student services, and community impacts of Broward College during his 11 years of service are recapped and available online in the 2018 Annual Report.

SAVE THE DATE – SEPTEMBER 29

The Broward College Foundation is planning a special event for Alumni & Friends at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, September 29. This activity is still in development and additional details will be forthcoming.

Space is limited. If you would like to be at the top of the list to receive an invitation to this event – and perhaps a special discount – please send us an email.

TRANSITION

On Saturday, July 7, Broward College’s Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Broward College Foundation, Nancy R. Botero, married Dr. Robert “Bob” Wilson in Colorado Springs.

Nancy has made the decision to change her name to Nancy O’Donnell-Wilson, which represents her maiden name and taking Bob’s last name. This will be a bit of a process, as she has been known throughout our community as “Nancy Bo” for more than 20 years, but they both felt this would be the right thing to do as they start this next chapter of their lives together.

Congratulations, Nancy and Bob!

IN MEMORIUM

Dr. James J. "Bud" Brock, a faculty member at Broward Community College from 1966 – 1984, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by his loved ones on June 22 in Frisco, Texas.

Bud is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Nellie Brock, and his daughter, Gay Falkowski, as well as his granddaughters, Rebecca Weikowski and Cate Falkowski. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Mosely, and numerous nieces and nephews. Bud will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and colleague.

Born August 22, 1925 to James A. and Victoria Brock in Magnet, Kentucky, Bud was one of six children. They grew up in a small coal-mining town, where Bud learned from his father the importance of family, the value of education, and the true meaning of generosity.

Bud married the love of his life, Nellie Lankford, in 1950 and they welcomed their daughter Gaynell in 1956. Bud’s hard work, inquisitive nature, and engaging personality led him to earn his bachelor’s degree from Lincoln Memorial University, Master of Education from the University of North Carolina in 1958, and his Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University in 1975. He spent the rest of his life paying it forward, not only through his work as a math and science teacher at South Broward High School and a computer science professor at Broward Community College, but also as a philanthropist.

After retiring from teaching, Bud managed the computer division at the Broward County Engineering Department. Despite his many achievements, including working for a branch of the Department of Defense (now known as NASA) and receiving the honorary designation of Kentucky Colonel from the governor for his outstanding community service, Bud said his proudest accomplishment was having a family who loved him. He and his lovely Nellie cherished life together, enjoying both global travel and gardening in their own backyard.

A visitation and funeral service were held on June 28 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Chapel.

BAILEY HALL PRESENTS

Classical, international and jazz music, independent cinema, theatre, dance – there’s something for everyone! Go online and see what’s in store.

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 Jim DeChant or call 954-201-7079.

AMAZON SMILE

Did you know you could save money, save time, shop in your bunny slippers, 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 educational environment 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.