A NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF BROWARD COLLEGE

FALL COMMENCEMENT

Broward College hosted its 89th commencement ceremony at the BB&T Center on Thursday, December 13. More than 1,200 candidates for graduation participated, and 4,000 degrees and certifications were awarded, including more than 300 bachelor’s degrees.

Dr. Wael Barsoum, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cleveland Clinic Florida, was the keynote speaker. “I don’t want you just to go out into the world and do well,” he told the graduates, “I want you to go out into the world and do good.” He urged them to (1) work hard, (2) take risks, (3) not judge others, and (4) do good things. Dr. Barsoum’s presentation included remarks from President Theodore Roosevelt, which were originally delivered on April 23, 1920.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Mauricio Haughton, the North Campus Student Government President, was the student speaker. “When I was younger,” he said, “I was told I’d never graduate from middle school. And now here we are.”

Haughton, who merited the donor-funded Jeffrey D. and Nancy Hulmes Endowed Memorial Scholarship last semester, encouraged his fellow graduates to “Use your desire to succeed to be the change you wish to see in the world.” He is currently working on the final credits needed to complete his Associate of Arts degree.

Kari Castaneda, who received an American Dream Scholarship last semester, graduated with her Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management. She was featured on NBC6, surprising her father who didn’t know she’d gone back to school to earn her degree. Watch her story online.

Ros Serrano (pictured left with Broward College's Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Broward College Foundation Nancy O'Donnell-Wilson), who was a student worker in the Office of Advancement last year and is now employed on the North Campus as an Academic Pathway Support Specialist, also graduated with his bachelor’s degree in December and was singled out for his achievements during the ceremony. You can read more about his story in the Broward College Blog.

Some graduation fun facts: the oldest graduate was 67 years old, the youngest was 17, and 171 graduates were military veterans.

Go online to hear President Haile’s message to graduates, watch commencement highlights, and read profiles of selected students.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Check it out! The Broward College Foundation’s 2018 Annual Report is now available online. Learn how philanthropic individuals in our community are seeing their funding go further and helping more and more students become Empowered by Broward.

BROWARD COLLEGE SPEAKER SERIES

The 6th season of the Broward College Speaker Series at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts premiered on January 16 with economist Ben Stein.

One of Broward College’s most ardent supporters, May Jean Wolff, with Ben Stein

Broward College Foundation Board of Directors Chair Pam Stephany, Dr. Dan Osman, Ben Stein and Lois Osman

Moderator Tom Hudson from WLRN, Chae Haile, Ben Stein, Crockett Foundation Executive Director Eileen LaMarca, Broward College Distinguished Alumnus Chip LaMarca, and Broward College President Gregory Adam Haile

Long-time Broward College supporters Collins and Jennifer Forman, Broward College’s Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Broward College Foundation Nancy O’Donnell-Wilson, and Ben Stein

On Wednesday, February 6, the Broward College Speaker Series continues with Marlee Matlin, whose topic is Nobody’s Perfect: Achieving Inclusion, Diversity and Access.

Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Paramount Pictures’ Children of a Lesser God, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar and only one of four actresses to receive the honor for her film debut. In addition to the Oscar, Matlin received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. Though Matlin lost her hearing when she was only 18 months old, she never let her challenges dictate her future or deter her dreams. Along with a successful Hollywood career, Matlin has dedicated herself to raising awareness for many humanitarian causes, including diversity and LGBT rights. She is a staunch advocate for children and a champion for those struggling against domestic abuse and addiction.

Purchase tickets for Matlin's presentation online. 10% discount for Broward College alumni when you order online and use the discount code BCALUM.

Additional speakers this season are NFL Legend Terry Bradshaw (March 11) and actor Hill Harper (April 24).

PRESIDENTIAL INVESTITURE

On March 29 of this year, academic officials, elected representatives, and some of the most esteemed business leaders from the county and the state of Florida will assemble at the Ralph R. Bailey Concert Hall for the formal investiture of the college’s new leader and 7th president, Gregory Adam Haile, Esq.

The transference of a college president’s authority is a solemn and rare event. Dr. Marielena DeSanctis, Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services, invited several notable individuals from our community to become members of the Presidential Investiture Committee, which met for the first time on Friday, January 4 to plan and implement the activities related to the ceremony. They have agreed to share their time and talents to organize this historic event, which will include supporting efforts to garner external funding to underwrite the associated costs, which will not be covered by College resources.

Sandy and John Benz, Gregory Adam Haile, Marielena DeSanctis, Bob Birdsong and Yvette Roulette

Thanks to John Benz, Bob Birdsong, Gloria Fernandez, Frank Gernert, Bacardi Jackson, Dev Motwani, Pamela Stephany, and George Taylor for committing their service to this prestigious college project.

EDUCATION TRANSITION COMMITTEE

Governor-Elect Ron DeSantis has appointed Broward College President Gregory Adam Haile to his Education Transition Committee. The 41-person team includes a broad cross-section of the state’s education advocacy groups, representing everything from district public schools to home schools. Read the full article online.

NEW GIFT FROM THE ROSEMARY DUFFY LARSON TRUST

The estate of Rosemary Duffy Larson recently contributed an additional $100,000 to fund enhancements to the Rosemary Duffy Larson Classical Music Series.

Mrs. Larson, who died in August of 2016, was an avid supporter of Broward College. Her gifts funded scholarships, the Health Sciences, and the visual arts. In recognition of her support, the College named the fine arts gallery on the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in her honor and the auditorium in the Health Sciences Simulation Center after her friend, renowned cardiologist Dr. Michael A. Chizner. Her generosity continues through the Rosemary Duffy Larson Trust.

The Rosemary Duffy Larson Classical Music Series was created in April of 2017 with an initial endowment of $250,000. In May of 2018, the Broward College Foundation received an additional $50,000 from the Trust for the series, and this most recent gift brings support of the series to $400,000.

The series was designed to raise awareness of classical music and the value of music education by engaging Broward College students in high-quality solo and chamber music, affording students the opportunity to work with guest artists in a master class setting, and giving world-class soloists and ensembles the opportunity to perform in the Ralph R. Bailey Concert Hall. Dr. Jure Rozman, Assistant Professor of Music and most recent recipient of the Rotary Clubs Endowed Teaching Chair, serves as artistic director for the series, which premiered on Friday, October 20, 2017.

32nd ANNUAL BROWARD COLLEGE GOLF CLASSIC

The 32nd Annual Broward College Golf Classic, presented by Cigna, takes place on Thursday, March 28 at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the First Generation in College Scholarship.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to do something big with their lives, to be given a chance at a career and a sustainable way of life, and to maintain a decent standard of living. Go online to review sponsorship packages or register for the Golf Classic. Your support will help individuals in our community become Empowered by Broward.

WELCOME ABOARD

Elisa Stone has joined the Office of Advancement as a Major Gifts Officer. She previously served as Director of Development at Covenant House, where she oversaw all the funding development efforts at the organization, including direct mail, fundraising, special events, public relations and marketing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida.

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.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS NETWORK

Broward College is going to hire a Alumni Engagement Officer. If you or someone you know might be interested in this exciting career opportunity, review the Employment Opportunities online. We expect this position to be posted any day now. For further information, call Scott Rivinius, 954-201-7490.

Consider reviewing the benefits listed on the Alumni & Friends Network site. One of those benefits is insurance through Geico. If you identify yourself as an affiliate of the college when you review their offer, they’ll make a donation to the Broward College Foundation – even if you decide not to purchase!

What's easier than saving money with a special discount from GEICO? Choosing your favorite commercial. You can even enter for a chance to be in one!

Pick now! The contest ends February 5.

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 students 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.

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.