College presidents

Basil Rathbone, one of the actors who portrayed Sherlock Holmes on film, talks Hollywood with Dr. Rushing and Nan and Hutch Hutchison's Fort Lauderdale home in 1964. Nan Hutchison was the college's first director of student affairs and helped introduce faculty recruits to the community and the college.

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.

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.

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.