Broward Community College
Encyclopedia
Broward College, previously known as "Broward Community College", is a state college in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
, U.S., and part of the Florida College System. It was established in 1959 as part of a move to broaden Florida's two-year community college
system. In 2008 it adopted its current name, reflecting that it is one of the schools designated a "state college", meaning it can offer a greater number of four-year bachelor's degree
s than traditional community colleges.
.
After helping JCBC through its formative years and onto firm footing, Rushing in 1965 announced he was returning to his home state of Texas
to become founding president of Tarrant County Community College
in Fort Worth
. In 1968, A. Hugh Adams, superintendent of public education in Charlotte County, Florida
, was appointed president and served in that role until 1986.
Changes began almost immediately. A month after his arrival, the college changed its name to Broward Junior College. Two months after Dr. Adams’ arrival, the Florida Legislature removed junior colleges from oversight by county school boards, and transformed their advisory boards into district boards of trustees.
Adams’ interests lay in expanding access to the college for citizens living throughout the county. In his 19 years as president, South and North campuses were created, as was the Downtown Center and the Tigertail Lake Center.
Succeeding Adams was Dr. Will Holcombe, a protégée of Dr. James L. Wattenbarger
, the architect of Florida’s community college system and executive vice-president at Brevard Community College. Dr. Holcombe had served in a variety of administrative capacities at Broward before joining Brevard
’s administrative team.
During his 17 years as president, Holcombe worked to expand infrastructure and to create community partnerships to better serve the needs of the community and its workforce.
Larry Calderon succeeded Holcombe upon his retirement in 2004. When Dr. Calderon left the college in 2006, Holcombe returned to serve as interim president through the appointment of J. David Armstrong, Jr.
, in July 2007. President Armstrong came to the college from his position as Chancellor of the Florida College System.
the former Mayor of Ft. Lauderdale, the Emmy award-winning reporter Johnathan Walton
, the former Governor of Maryland Parris Glendening
, the rock musician Marilyn Manson
, Major League Baseball player Matt Latos, famous astrophysicist Daniel Roman, and the actress Nancy Valen
.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
, U.S., and part of the Florida College System. It was established in 1959 as part of a move to broaden Florida's two-year community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
system. In 2008 it adopted its current name, reflecting that it is one of the schools designated a "state college", meaning it can offer a greater number of four-year bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s than traditional community colleges.
History
The institution was founded in 1959 as the "Junior College of Broward County". It opened its doors the following year under the leadership of President Joe B. Rushing, with a with a faculty of 28 serving a class of 701 students. Until the college’s first permanent buildings were completed in 1963, students attended classes in the former Naval Air Station Junior High buildings on the western edge of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International AirportFort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport is an international commercial airport located in unincorporated Broward County, Florida, three miles southwest of the central business district of Fort Lauderdale...
.
After helping JCBC through its formative years and onto firm footing, Rushing in 1965 announced he was returning to his home state of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to become founding president of Tarrant County Community College
Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College ' or Tarrant County College District is a community college serving the Fort Worth area in Tarrant County, Texas and providing degree programs toward an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts in Teaching...
in Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
. In 1968, A. Hugh Adams, superintendent of public education in Charlotte County, Florida
Charlotte County, Florida
Charlotte County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 141,627. In 2005, the population of the MSA was 154,030.The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county was 152,814...
, was appointed president and served in that role until 1986.
Changes began almost immediately. A month after his arrival, the college changed its name to Broward Junior College. Two months after Dr. Adams’ arrival, the Florida Legislature removed junior colleges from oversight by county school boards, and transformed their advisory boards into district boards of trustees.
Adams’ interests lay in expanding access to the college for citizens living throughout the county. In his 19 years as president, South and North campuses were created, as was the Downtown Center and the Tigertail Lake Center.
Succeeding Adams was Dr. Will Holcombe, a protégée of Dr. James L. Wattenbarger
James L. Wattenbarger
Dr. James Lorenzo Wattenbarger, was born in 1922. He died in August 2006.A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Dr. Wattenbarger is credited as being the Father of the Community College System of Florida. His doctoral dissertation at the University of Florida outlined a master plan that the state used...
, the architect of Florida’s community college system and executive vice-president at Brevard Community College. Dr. Holcombe had served in a variety of administrative capacities at Broward before joining Brevard
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
’s administrative team.
During his 17 years as president, Holcombe worked to expand infrastructure and to create community partnerships to better serve the needs of the community and its workforce.
Larry Calderon succeeded Holcombe upon his retirement in 2004. When Dr. Calderon left the college in 2006, Holcombe returned to serve as interim president through the appointment of J. David Armstrong, Jr.
J. David Armstrong, Jr.
J. David Armstrong, Jr. is an American academic, and the current President of Broward College. Armstrong graduated with his Bachelors degree in social science from the University of Montevallo. He received his Masters degree from Troy State University in management. In addition he completed...
, in July 2007. President Armstrong came to the college from his position as Chancellor of the Florida College System.
Campuses and Education Centers
Broward College has three campuses and a variety of educational centers located throughout Broward County.- The A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, the college’s first permanent campus, is in DavieDavie, FloridaDavie is a town in Broward County, Florida, United States. The town's population was 91,992 at the 2010 census.- History :Davie was founded by Jake Tannebaum and Tamara Toussaint. The original name of the town was Zona. In 1909 R.P. Davie assisted then Governor Broward by draining the swamplands...
. Originally opened with seven buildings on a 152 acre (0.61512272 km²) site, the Adams campus is now home to more than 30 buildings including the Buehler Planetarium and Observatory, Institute of Public Safety, an aquatic complex, the Mayer Gymnasium, a health sciences complex and the Ralph R. Bailey Concert Hall. The University/College Library there is a joint research facility owned by the college in partnership with Florida Atlantic UniversityFlorida Atlantic UniversityFlorida Atlantic University, also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic, is a public, coeducational, research university located in , United States. The university has six satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, and in Fort...
. Adams Campus also is home to the College Academy @ BC a collegiate high school opened in partnership with the Broward County Public Schools in 2001.
- The Judson A. Samuels South Campus, named for a South Broward community leader and one of the college’s most influential trustees, is on a 103 acre (0.41682658 km²) tract in Pembroke PinesPembroke Pines, FloridaPembroke Pines is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city had a population of 154,750 at the 2010 census, making it the second most populous city in Broward County, the tenth most populous in Florida, and the 150th most populous in the United States...
, just west of the Florida's TurnpikeFlorida's TurnpikeFlorida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
. The campus is home to the college’s Aviation Institute, located adjacent to North Perry AirportNorth Perry AirportNorth Perry Airport is a public airport located in the City of Pembroke Pines, five miles west of the central business district of Hollywood, in Broward County, Florida, United States. The airport is owned by the Broward County Aviation Department...
, as well as the joint-use Broward College/Broward County South Regional Library. Dedicated on Feb. 1, 2007, the library is the first building in Broward County constructed to meet the standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s building rating system, set by the U.S. Green Building Council.
- The North Campus in Coconut CreekCoconut Creek, FloridaCoconut Creek is a city in Broward County, Florida , nestled between Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. It had a population of 52,909 at the 2010 census...
covers approximately 113 acre (0.45729518 km²) adjacent to the Florida Turnpike. Dedicated in 1972, North Campus has grown to more than a dozen buildings including the Omni Auditorium, Health Science Center II, the Toski-Battersby Golf Training Center and the Broward Community College/North Regional Broward County LibraryBroward county libraryThe Broward County Library was established in 1973 as the result of a campaign by the Friends of the Fort Lauderdale Library in Florida, the United States. The system began issuing borrower cards on June 17 of 1974 for 270,000 items in four branches. Over the following three decades, many of the...
. It will soon be home to the Junior Achievement Huizenga Enterprise Village, named after Broward County entrepreneurEntrepreneurAn entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and major donorDonationA donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
, Wayne HuizengaWayne HuizengaHarry Wayne Huizenga is an American businessman who grew Blockbuster Video, Waste Management, Inc., and AutoNation into successful companies. He is the former owner of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins, the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers and the Major League Baseball's Miami...
.
- The Willis Holcombe Center is located in the heart of Downtown Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FloridaFort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
. Built in partnership with Florida Atlantic University, the Holcombe Center forms the Higher Education Complex on East Las Olas BoulevardLas Olas BoulevardLas Olas Boulevard is a popular thoroughfare in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States that runs from Andrews Avenue in the Central Business District to A1A and Fort Lauderdale Beach. The easternmost section of the boulevard is interlaced with canals and waterfront homes...
. The Holcombe Center houses Broward College’s district administrative offices as well as over 210000 square feet (19,509.6 m²) of high-tech classroom space consisting of wired classrooms, science and technology labs and a full array of student services.
- The Institute for Economic Development is located within the Willis Holcombe Downtown Center (Fort Lauderdale). The institute offers a variety of continuing education courses, corporate training services, customized workforce development resources as well as support groups and training for women transitioning into the workforce.
- The Pines Center serves southwestern Broward County as part of the Pembroke Pines Academic Village, a 77 acres (311,608.2 m²) campus built in the Jeffersonian quadrangle style of the University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. Other entities in the academic village include the Southwest Broward Regional Library, Pembroke Pines Charter High SchoolPembroke Pines Charter High SchoolIn 2005, PPCHS received an A grade from the State of Florida.In 2007, PPCHS was named National Charter School of the year.Pembroke Pines Charter Schools are funded and administered by the City of Pembroke Pines as opposed to the Broward County School Board....
, an athletic/aquatic complex and a wetlands preserve.
- The Weston Center is located within the Weston Branch Library (WestonWeston, FloridaWeston is a suburb of South Florida located in Broward County, Florida, USA. Established as a city in 1996, much of the community was developed by Arvida/JMB Realty and is located near the western developmental boundary of Broward County. It is the most western city in Broward County, and its...
) and offers a variety of credit and non-credit courses. The site is home to a fast-track Associate in Arts degree in Business Administration.
- Broward College Maroone Automotive Training Center at Miramar was opened early in 2007 on a 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) site on Riviera Boulevard adjacent to the Florida Turnpike near the Broward/Miami-Dade county line in MiramarMiramar, FloridaMiramar is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city was named after the Miramar district of Havana, Cuba. As of the 2010 census, the population was 122,041...
. The center provides classrooms, work bays and administrative offices for the college’s automotive programs.
- The Tigertail Lake Center, located alongside I-95Interstate 95 in FloridaInterstate 95 is the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States; it serves the Atlantic coast of Florida. It begins at a partial interchange with U.S. Highway 1 just south of downtown Miami, and heads north past Daytona Beach and Jacksonville to the Georgia state line at the St...
in Dania Beach, offers conference and picnic facilities and aquatic and water sports classes. The center also is home to the BC Adventure Learning Center, providing low and high-ropes challenge programs and other team-building exercises.
Notable Alumni & Attendees
Broward College has produced thousands of alumni over the years. The most notable alumni of Broward College are Jim NaugleJim Naugle
James T. Naugle is an American real estate broker who served as mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Although a lifelong Democrat, Naugle frequently voted for and supported Republican candidates...
the former Mayor of Ft. Lauderdale, the Emmy award-winning reporter Johnathan Walton
Johnathan Walton
Johnathan Walton is a Jamaican born, four-time Emmy Award winning, comedic TV reporter, stand-up comedian and TV producer. His TV career began at WSVN-TV the FOX affiliate in Miami, Florida as a Special Projects segment producer...
, the former Governor of Maryland Parris Glendening
Parris Glendening
Parris Nelson Glendening , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 59th Governor of Maryland from January 18, 1995 to January 15, 2003...
, the rock musician Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
, Major League Baseball player Matt Latos, famous astrophysicist Daniel Roman, and the actress Nancy Valen
Nancy Valen
Nancy Valen is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for portraying Captain Samantha Thomas on Baywatch.-Early life:...
.