2014 Alumni Hall of Distinction Honorees
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Franklin C. Adderley
Chief of Police, City of Fort Lauderdale
“Broward College was the first step that led me through my path.”
Frank Adderley has served the people of our community for more than 33 years as a member of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Frank grew up in the northwest portion of the city, and his entire career has been dedicated to keeping local residents safe. Through his years of service, Frank received many accolades and promotions. In 2008, he was appointed the first African-American Chief of Police for the City of Fort Lauderdale. Frank serves as the president of the Broward Chiefs Association, and he is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Frank credits Broward College for advancing his career through education. “Because of Broward College I was prepared for my promotion to Sergeant and to be competitive for promotion to ranks beyond. I went on to get my bachelor’s degree and have graduated from special FBI and DEA training. Broward College was the first step that led me through my path of professional advancement.”
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Joshua Lenchus, D.O.
Physician, Professor and Researcher, University of Miami
“I owe everything to my experiences at Broward College.”
Joshua Lenchus has a unique talent for being able to look at something and make it better. During his short tenure as a post residency physician, he has integrated systems to improve hospital operations, created methods to more effectively train doctors, and led research on medical innovations and protocols that will better serve patients. Recently he was honored as the President of the Medical Staff for Jackson Memorial Systems, working with hospital administrators to innovatively improve this renowned institution’s medical care.
Joshua credits Broward College for getting him where he is today. He was a member and served as president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was a graduate of the honors program. “Thanks to working with Dr. Mary Jo Henderson and so many others, I was recognized for academic achievement. That recognition allowed me to attend the University of Florida with minimal cost. I owe everything to my experiences at Broward College, for setting me on the path that I continue to travel. I am eternally grateful.”
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Bob Saxon
President, International Yacht Collection
“I carry Broward College lessons forward in my life and in my business”.
Bob Saxon is an iconic figure in the global yachting community. He is regarded by many as the patriarch of yacht management and charters, bringing a highly professional approach to effective administration and operation of mega-yachts around the world.
Bob began his career as an English teacher at Deerfield Beach High School. He later taught at Cardinal Gibbons High School and coached baseball. When the opportunity presented itself, Bob applied the principles of teaching and coaching to the yachting world, elevating the entire industry to a new standard of excellence. He credits this skill to his professors at Broward College. “My instructors’ positive encouragement drove me to be and do the very best of which I was capable. I carry those lessons forward in my life and in my business.”
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Nancy Tanner
Director of the Victim Advocate Unit at the State Attorney’s Office
“Broward College provided the foundation for my career.”
Nancy Tanner started college academically prepared for success but financially unable to attend full-time. After trying at first to balance classes with part-time employment, she decided to postpone her education. Ten years later, she renewed her commitment to her schooling, and with support from Broward College’s faculty, she finished what she began.
While an adult learner at the college, Nancy was introduced to Kids in Distress and became its first student intern. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she started working professionally at that organization as a social worker. For 23 years, Nancy has served as the director of the Victim Advocate Unit at the State Attorney’s Office. She works to ensure that crime victims are treated with dignity and respect and that their voices are heard.
Nancy was among a small group of women who founded the Broward Victim’s Rights Coalition. She has been elected chair of that organization, as well as the Broward Domestic Violence Council, the Broward Children’s Consortium, the Broward Unit of the National Association of Social Workers, and the Florida Network of Victim Witness Services. She also has served on the boards of Kids in Distress and Leadership Broward. She has helped thousands of people in our community through her volunteerism and service. Because of Broward College, Nancy was able to ultimately achieve her dream of becoming a clinical social worker and helping others recognize their strengths and overcome the challenges that life sometimes presents.
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Sharry A. Kimmel, Ed.D.
Professor, Broward College
“Broward College allows the best of me to shine and thrive!”
Dr. Sharry Kimmel knows there is more to the college experience than learning in the classroom. Students also need opportunities to expand their horizons, learn about the world they live in and learn about giving back to their communities. As a professor and a volunteer at Broward College, Sharry dedicates herself to creating such opportunities.
Sharry founded Broward College’s Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, serves as an advisor for the Education Club and will start a chapter of Hillel this fall. She said, “Through these organizations, I am able to give students opportunities to develop themselves as leaders, mentors, volunteers, and even receive job opportunities. Watching my students thrive is a tremendous reward!”
Sharry became a student at Broward College through a special program while she was in high school. Her experience led her to realize how much she wanted to go to college and become an educator. During her tenure, she has been selected as Professor of the Year, awarded two Endowed Teaching Chairs, and received accolades from student organizations.
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Rick Mijares
Owner, American Social Bar & Restaurant
“Without Broward College I would neither have been equipped nor had the professional confidence to see this dream through.”
Rick Mijares always had a vision. He wanted to be a successful businessman. He wasn’t sure what kind of business, and he did not necessarily know how to get to where he wanted to be. What he had was desire and determination. Then he came to Broward College.
“It was the professors I had that made the difference. They spent countless hours guiding me to success and to completing my degree. They went that extra step to explain business concepts and strategies that I utilize in my business today.”
Where is Rick now? He owns one of the most successful restaurants in South Florida, American Social Bar & Restaurant. Since the doors opened in June of 2012, Rick has successfully celebrated two full years of business. American Social has been recognized and has won several awards in the tri-county area for its high-quality food and beverages. Generating over $4.5 million per year, American Social is expanding to two more locations in Miami and Delray Beach in the fall of 2014. “With continued hard work and a little luck, American Social will be a name recognized all over this great country.”