Ferris, Robert E.

The Commencement was held at the War Memorial Auditorium.

Dignitaries join trustees Paul Anderson and Cheryl Krause, Dr. Holcombe, Central Campus Provost Dr. Patricia Caldwell, and Dean of the Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross-Black in turning the earth for reconstruction of the Robert E. Ferris Center in 2000.

The new Ferris Center, dedicated in March 2002, is architecturally distinctive and offers a greater variety of Student Affairs functions.

The Robert E. Ferris Center, more widely known as the Hospitality Center, was the center of student activities on campus.

Robert E. Ferris, a Broward County attorney and judge, served on the Board of Public Instruction and was named to the JCBC Advisory Committee in 1959. He also served as a member of the BCC District Board of Trustees from 1968 to 1971.

Fort Lauderdale realtor George E. Mayer (center) is welcomed to the board of trustees in 1969 by Chairman Robert E. Ferris (right) and Vice Chairman Judson Samuels. Judge Ferris graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law. Though his background was in law, his interests were in education. In addition to serving on the advisory committee, and later as first chairman of the board of trustees, Judge Ferris served as chairman of the Broward County Board of Public Instruction and as president of the South Florida Educational Center.

The Advisory Board brought together a diverse group of distinguished professionals and community leaders from throughout Broward County. Dr. Rushing provided the five members with service plaques at graduation ceremonies. From left to right, they are Lloyd Cassels, Florence Tustison, Dr. Rushing, Judson Samuels, Robert Ferris, and John Payne.