Central Campus

Students kicked off their shoes to do the twist and the other popular dances of the day at a sock hop after a basketball game at Mayer Gymnasium on Central Campus.

Students brought their fishing poles and nets to take a light-hearted jab at drainage problems at the parking lots on the western side of Central Campus.

From the front steps of Central Campus one can see the Nova schools to the south.

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.

The men's baseball teams flourished under the direction of coach Leroy Wheat. The program sent many players to college teams and also produced several players who reached the major leagues, including Craig Skok and Don Newhowser. Until a diamond was built on Central Campus, the team practiced at New River Middle school and played its games at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale.

Coach Wheat (standing) pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics during his major league career and was known to grant extra credit to students who could produce his major-league baseball card.

More programs were added over the years, including wrestling, women's badminton, soccer, tennis, golf, and swimming and diving for men and women. The college selected the seahorse as its mascot.

Dr. Edmund J. Gleazer, president of the American Association of Junior Colleges, was the speaker at JCBC's 1961 commencement ceremonies. The first class to begin JCBC as freshmen graduated June 10, 1962. Dr. John Allen, president of the University of South Florida, addressed 73 graduates at commencement ceremonies at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale. The first student to receive a diploma was Judith Abel of Fort Lauderdale. Also, in the first graduating class was Central Catholic High graduate Parris Nelson Glendening, who went on in 1967 to become the youngest recipient of a doctorate in political science at Florida State University. In 1994, Glendening was elected Maryland's 59th governor.

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.

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.