Ceremonies

In November 1997, the BCC Foundation honored former United States Sen. George Smathers, left, and Rep. Paul Rogers with a plaque commemorating their efforts in obtaining land on which to build Central Campus. The plaque is permanently mounted on a pedestal in the garden at Joe B. Rushing Hall.

Trustees, Dr. Holcombe, Provost Dr. Mont Smith, former provost Dr. Carl Crawford, and state senator Howard Forman join with foundation officials, Pembroke Pines city officials, and other dignitaries to cut the ribbon on the South Campus Student Services Building in October of 1998.

Pictured from left to right, Bill Duke, Margaret Roach, Rep. Jack Tobin, Elinor Wilkov, Mike Curran, and Will Holcombe break ground for the North Campus mathematics and science building in March 1989.

From left to right, Prof. Peggy Green, trustee Michael Curran, Prof. Carey Witkov, and Prof. Karen Walsh unveil the dedication plaque for the North Campus mathematics and science building on September 27, 1990. The building is dedicated to the memory of Stephen C. Barker, dean of academic affairs on North Campus until his tragic death in a 1989 boating accident.

Author and screenwriter Rita Mae Brown, a member of the Class of 1965 and 1999 recipient of the American Association of Community College's Outstanding Alumni Award, addressed the graduates at the May 2001 commencement exercises as Dr. Steve Obenauf, Central Campus Professor of the Year, listened. Four months before the September 11 tragedy, Brown told the graduates that many of America's problems stemmed from the country's wealth and power. "Sisters and Brothers, pick up an oar and row," she told them. "We are all in the same boat together."

The rapid growth of the South Campus necessitated installation of modular classroom buildings. The modular buildings help give South Campus a warm, cozy atmosphere.

South Campus Provost Dr. Carl Crawford and Dr. Holcombe look on as trustees Joyce Cross and Katharine Barry cut the ribbon to open the South Campus bookstore.

Acclaimed artist Dorothy Gillespie receives a bouquet of yellow roses and a kiss from South Campus Provost Dr. Mont Smith at the dedication of the Student Services Building. Visible above their heads is part of Gillespie's 32-panel 1998 work Symphony in Color, one of several of her works on South Campus. Others include Royal Crest, which is inside building 69; Colored Clouds and Ribboned Currents, located outside the teleconference center; and Celestial Arrangement, also found inside the Student Services Building.

Dr. Holcombe and Dr. Catanese, along with local and state dignitaries, pitch the ceremonial shovels of dirt in groundbreaking ceremonies for the BCC/FAU Higher Education Center in November 1999.

Members of BCC's board of trustees and administrators are all smiles at the October 2001 dedication ceremonies of the Higher Education Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale. From left to right are Norman Tripp, Dr. Ken Wiant, Ginny Miller, Levi Williams, Dr. Holcombe, Dr. Catanese, Georgette Sosa Douglass, Lourdes Garrido, Cheryl Krause, and Dr. Linda Liberman.