Broward College to Celebrate Spring 2015 Commencement

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Broward College to Celebrate Spring 2015 Commencement

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (April 28, 2015) - Broward College students who have completed their associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or a certificate program will be honored Tuesday, May 5, at 3 p.m. during the College’s 83rd commencement ceremony at the BB&T Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise. These students will join more than 125,000 students who have graduated from Broward College since it was established in 1959.

During the ceremony, Broward College President J. David Armstrong, Jr., will confer 2,567 associate’s degrees, 203 bachelor’s degrees and 1,728 technical certificates to students who represent more than 100 countries. The oldest graduate is 73 and the youngest is 16. There are 146 graduates over the age of 50.

The keynote address will be delivered by Donna Shalala, the current president of the University of Miami, who is stepping down to become the president and chief executive officer of the Clinton Foundation. During more than 30 years of experience as an accomplished scholar, teacher and administrator, Shalala served in the Carter administration as assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and in 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton appointed her Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). She served for eight years — the longest term of any HHS Secretary in U.S. history.

Many graduates have inspiring student success stories to share, including:

• David Lewkowicz, 18, a hardworking and driven student, who will graduate with a high school diploma, a 4.0 GPA and an associate of arts degree from Broward College. He has already been accepted into the United States Naval Academy.
• A “dreamer” student, Maria Madrinan escaped with her family from the unstable political climate and terrorist threats in their native country of Colombia. Through many challenges Madrinan saw a door and a pathway leading toward a better future she realizes this Spring by earning her degree.
• Steven and Joel Pencle, father and son, will be graduating together. Despite job loss, divorce, legal challenges, temporary displacement and a demanding academic schedule, they never gave up their educational dreams.

The ceremony will also feature a commissioning for ROTC graduate Ricardo A. Ellis, who will become an officer in the U.S. Army.

For more information regarding Broward College’s commencement ceremony, contact Angela Nicoletti at 954-201-7939 or anicolet@broward.edu.

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