Dr. Edmund J. Gleazer, president of the American Association of Junior Colleges

Dr. Edmund J. Gleazer, president of the American Association of Junior Colleges, was the speaker at JCBC's 1961 commencement ceremonies. The first class to begin JCBC as freshmen graduated June 10, 1962. Dr. John Allen, president of the University of South Florida, addressed 73 graduates at commencement ceremonies at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale. The first student to receive a diploma was Judith Abel of Fort Lauderdale. Also, in the first graduating class was Central Catholic High graduate Parris Nelson Glendening, who went on in 1967 to become the youngest recipient of a doctorate in political science at Florida State University. In 1994, Glendening was elected Maryland's 59th governor.