Hardy, Evelyn

Evelyn Hardy, born in poverty in rural Alabama, used BCC as a stepping stone to higher education. After bearing 10 children and then becoming a widow, she decided her life needed a new direction. She got her General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and went to BCC, where she attained honors. She went on to receive her bachelor's and master's degrees and was named recipient of a LeRoy Collins Distinguished Alumni Award in 1990. Hardy returned to BCC to work as a counselor on North Campus. She is shown meeting former governor Collins at the first Collins Award ceremony. Collins was the guiding force behind community colleges in Florida.