Broward College Celebrates Spring 2018 Commencement

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla (May 14, 2018) – On Tuesday, May 8, Broward College conferred 5,507 degrees and certificates to Broward College graduates at its 88th commencement ceremony at the BB&T Center located in Sunrise, Florida. The commencement marked the largest graduating class in the College's history with 2,916 associate degrees awarded.

Broward College President J. David Armstrong, Jr. addressed an enthusiastic crowd of bachelor's degree, associate's degree, and technical certificates graduates ranged in age from 16 to 79 years old, including 143 veterans and representing almost 100 countries. Three students from Broward College International Partnership Centers in Vietnam and Shanghai were also in attendance. Participants in the Broward College World Conference, consisting of representatives from current and future international centers and affiliates as well as United States university counterparts were present.

"We congratulate all of our students for reaching a major milestone in their lives," said Broward College President J. David Armstrong, Jr. "Now it's time for our students to reach their potential either by continuing their education or entering the workforce prepared to make a difference in our community.

The keynote address was delivered by Mike Jackson, CEO and President of AutoNation, Inc. Jackson is recognized as one of the most influential and effective leaders in the automotive industry.

During the ceremony, President Armstrong featured outstanding students in the graduating class, including:

Mardwina Lasseur, one of only six awardees selected from across the United States to participate in the DREAM 2018 conference in Nashville, Tennessee. This conference brought together more than 2,300 higher education leaders, policy-makers, thought leaders, and exceptional students. She was also named as a Jack Kent Cooke semi-finalist. As an Honors Scholarship recipient, Mardwina says she probably wouldn't have been able to attend Broward College without the financial assistance. Throughout her time in college, she worked part-time in the Student Affairs department while attending classes and volunteering at Memorial Regional Hospital.

Jadd Ahmad, is a 22-year-old Palestinian-American Muslim who has done exceptionally well in his academic studies. He boasts a 3.91 GPA and was named a 2018 Jack Kent Cooke semifinalist. However, what is most impressive is his dedication to service and the community. His involvement includes a feeding program for the homeless in downtown Fort Lauderdale and the Minority Male Initiative, a program aimed at helping young men of color achieve their academic dream and the Muslim Student Association.

Ngoc Huynh Kim Vo is from the Broward College Center in Vietnam. She received her Associate of Science in Business and graduated with Highest Honors, receiving the highest GPA of the thirty graduates from the Center in Vietnam.

Zhennan Jiang from Shanghai Polytechnic University received his Associate of Science in Supply Chain Management. He is the 2018 presidential scholar, the first to receive the award from China. He will study at Broward College this summer and work on his Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management.

-BC-