Fund is used to respond to critical needs of the Broward College community and enhance student success
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.
“The Empowerment Fund can be a real lifeline to our students because it gives the Broward College the most flexibility in offering students access to resources when they need it most,” said Megan R. Cottle, Vice President for Advancement and Chief Development Officer for the Broward College Foundation. “It’s so inspiring to see the outpouring of community support, from our committee members to our hardworking volunteers, many of whom have been here for more than 30 years, which underscores the level of commitment so many people have for Broward College.”
Dustin Jacobs, Broward College Golf Committee Chair and Vice President, BrightStar Credit Union; and Megan R. Cottle, Vice President for Advancement and Chief Development Office, Broward College Foundation
Lloyd Rhodes, Honorary Broward College Golf Committee Chair and sponsor; Willis “Will” Holcombe, President Emeritus of Broward College; Geoff Thomas; and Ray Casey
Michael Shaw, Elliot Borkson, Don Krentsa, and Hilliad Muldorf
Marc Tanner, Bob Jones, Andy Chabassol, and Craig Tanner
Stu Rosenthal, Dan Imme, Chris Price, and Raul Loys
(Photo credit: Downtown Photo)
For the first time, the outing was held at Jacaranda Golf Club in Plantation. Rated four stars by Golf Digest, the courses are highlighted by lush fairways woven through various waterways, lending a tropical feel throughout.
“BrightStar Credit Union was founded by educators, so supporting education is at our core and one of the many reasons why we increased our level of support for the Broward College Foundation,” said Broward College Golf Classic Committee Chair Dustin Jacobs, Vice President of Marketing at BrightStar Credit Union. “We are a South Florida-based regional institution, and this is our home. It is important to invest in our students which helps foster growth and development throughout Broward County.”
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.
Lloyd Rhodes, Broward College Foundation’s honorary golf committee chair, who has participated in the annual golf classic since its inception, commented, “It’s especially important to me to support the golf tournament, not just for the money it raises, but it’s also a terrific way for the business community to interface with Broward College. We have so many prominent employers and their employees who come out year after year to support our mission.”
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.
“The Broward College Foundation has done a wonderful job of connecting with the community and securing resources to help our students attain everything they want to achieve whether it’s a college degree or concentrated professional or technical training,” said Willis “Will” Holcombe, President Emeritus of Broward College, who was instrumental in establishing the golf tournament. “Everything we do helps support our faculty and students so they can become productive citizens and contribute to Broward County’s success.”
Broward College alumna Terri Justice ’70, and former Dean of Academic Research and Institutional Technology, is a long-time volunteer of the Broward College Golf Classic for more than 30 years. “The golf tournament has gotten better and better over the years thanks to the College’s involvement,” Justice shared. “For example, our IT department stepped up and offered its professional services supplying all the AV equipment, and they even created the PowerPoint presentations. I was once a scholarship recipient so I appreciate that any expenses we can offset when it comes to fundraising translates into our ability to fund more scholarships for our deserving students.”
To learn more about the Empowerment Fund or to make a gift please visit browardcollegefoundation
ABOUT BROWARD COLLEGE:
Serving approximately 56,000 students annually, Broward College provides residents with certificate programs, two-year university-transfer degrees, two-year career degrees, and baccalaureate degrees in selected programs. The mission of the College is to provide high-quality educational programs and services that are affordable and accessible to a diverse community of learners. For more information, visit www.broward.edu.
ABOUT BROWARD COLLEGE FOUNDATION:
Established in 1971, the Broward College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the officially designated means of making private, charitable contributions to Broward College. Our purpose is to change lives through education by providing community awareness, advocacy and funding to the college. For more information, visit www.
