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Dr. Rushing left behind a college with a new campus and a dynamic faculty and staff, but the mood on campus wasn't as rosy and upbeat as it seemed. During the period between Dr. Rushing's departure and Dr. Blee's arrival, the seeds of discord sprouted and began growing. Ultimately, from October 31, 1965 to June 15, 1968, the college was without consistent leadership.

Dr. Myron Blee was selected to succeed Dr. Rushing as the JCBC's second president. Although he had varied high-level experience in educational policy and administration, the Illinois native had never served as a college president before taking the reins at JCBC.

Dr. Blee and graduation speaker Dr. James Wattenbarger, father of the Florida community college system, chat with a student at 1966 commencement ceremonies.

Dr. and Mrs. Jack Taylor greet students at a college event. Dr. Taylor, the dean of students, served as acting president until Dr. Blee arrived at JCBC. He and Dr. E.P. Lauderdale were the choices of many of the faculty and staff to succeed Dr. Rushing. After Dr. Blee arrived on campus, Dr. Taylor returned to his post, but Dr. Lauderdale resigned.

A system of junior colleges serving African-American students was established by the state in 1949. In Broward County, JCBC offered courses for its African-American students at a branch campus of Dillard High School, which opened in August of 1961. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 mandated desegregation of all publicly supported educational institutions. By the 1966-1967 school year, the "Magnificent 12" black junior colleges in Florida had ceased operations or had folded into formerly all-white junior colleges.

The contentious, unsettled conditions at the college prompted Emil Buehler, a German-born aviator, architect, inventor, and philanthropist, to threaten to withdraw his support from the aviation program for which he had provided the planes and classroom space for at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. "He never did, though," said trustee John H. Payne. "He never would have done anything to hurt the college."

The Buehler Planetarium, dedicated in 1966, remains a favorite for South Florida school children, who learn about the heavens from the planetarium's extensive educational programs.

Dr. Blee was all smiles at commencement ceremonies, but his brief presidency resulted in hard feelings and strained relations for many. Blee sued the college after the school board refused to offer him a new contract. The parties eventually settled out of court. Dr. Myron Ashmore served as acting president while a search to replace Dr. Blee was underway.

Upperside bright orange with black markings; 3 black-encircled white dots on forewing leading edge. Underside brown; forewing with orange at base; both wings with elongated, iridescent silver spots.

This is a Songye mask. The Songye people live in Democratic Republic of Congo. They are a relatively small tribe with a central chief and many secret societies. This mask or kifewebe, as masks are called in the Songye language, is of a male figure. This is determined by the center crest on its head. It represents a spirit and bears striations which is one of the chief differentiators of Songye masks. A mask like this would have been used by the kifewebe society to ward off evil, avert disaster and heal the sick. When worn in dances, it serves the dancer for its connotation of aggression to help the chief maintain order and control. This mask is believed to embody supernatural forces and the magic it carries is decided by the size of its crest. The white color of the striations symbolizes peace and purity while the red could mean any of danger, fire, blood, evil, courage or fortitude. Songye masks are easily identified by their striations and their shapes. The eyes, noses and mouths are carved in high relief. Often, the lips form star-shaped puckers to give the masks the impression of whistling or pouting.