2015 Alumni Hall of Distinction Honorees
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Bob Birdsong
Alumni Service Award
Recognizing service rendered voluntarily to Broward College that enriches the college community and advances the college’s objectives and ideals.
Bob, a veteran of the United States Navy, is president and chief executive officer of OK Generators and a member of the boards of directors of many local nonprofit organizations, including the Broward College Foundation. This November, the Fort Lauderdale / Broward Chapter of the Association of Fundraising professionals will recognize Bob as this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser. He completed advanced placement courses at Broward Community College while simultaneously attending Nova High School.
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Christopher M. “Chris” Neilson
Service to the Community Award
Recognizing voluntary efforts of alumni for contributions to causes that improve our community.
Christopher, an attorney, is an aide to Tim Ryan, Mayor of Broward County. He has extensive volunteer experience with local civic organizations. He earned his Associate in Science degree in Criminal Justice at Broward Community College (Dean’s List and President’s List) and was also an outstanding graduate of the college’s Institute for Public Safety.
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Cynthia Thuma
Service to the Community Award
Recognizing voluntary efforts of alumni for contributions to causes that improve our community.
Cynthia, a journalist and editor with Broward College’s Office of Public Relations, is a mentor with the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Neighbor Volunteer Office’s “Show Up, Step Up, Stand Up” intergenerational youth leadership development program, among other volunteer activities. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Broward Community College.
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Paola Mariselli
Emerging Leader Award
Recognizing those who have made a significant impact in their profession and/or the community at large since graduation and who have attended or graduated within the past 10 years.
Paola, a product designer who will begin a new job with Facebook next month, has previous experience with Groupon, Harvard University and Credit Suisse. She earned her Associate of Arts in Management Information Systems from Broward Community College.
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William Becker
Alumni Merit Award
Presented to those who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions or fields of endeavor in such a way as to reflect positively upon their alma mater.
William Becker is a teacher, fencing coach and international fencing referee employed by the Fencers Club of Arizona and the Federation Internacional d’Escrime. This year William was named to the Top 8 Elite World Referees list, and he has coached medalists in men’s, women’s, senior and youth categories. He credits his teachers and the classes he took at Broward College for setting him up for his successes and for teaching him to work hard to attain his goals. He earned his Associate of Arts degree in Physical Education at Broward Community College.
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Dr. Carl W. Carruthers, Jr.
Alumni Merit Award
Presented to those who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions or fields of endeavor in such a way as to reflect positively upon their alma mater.
Dr. Carl W. Carruthers, Jr., chief scientist at NanoRacks, LLC, works with NASA scientists and engineers as payload developer for the International Space Station. For the past five years Carl has served as Vice President of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 12, which is dedicated to the promotion of General Aviation, flying and homebuilding in the Greater Houston Area. He says the faculty and staff at Broward College who challenged and enabled him provided him with the confidence to accomplish more than he ever thought possible. He earned his Associate of Arts degree at Broward Community College.
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David R. Maymon
Alumni Merit Award
Presented to those who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions or fields of endeavor in such a way as to reflect positively upon their alma mater.
An attorney and entrepreneur of healthcare related companies such as Advocate Home Care and Red Tree Health, begin his studies at Broward Community College. He has served many civic organizations, including the Broward County Sheriff’s Advisory Council, HANDY and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Association. He said because of Broward College, he had a chance to begin his academic career and focus on where he wanted to go in life. David was recently appointed to the Broward College District Board of Trustees.
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Jennifer Troppello Hamilton
Alumni Merit Award
Presented to those who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions or fields of endeavor in such a way as to reflect positively upon their alma mater.
An educator with Broward County Public Schools, teaches science and is the athletic director at Stranahan High School. She has been a Miami Dolphins Teacher of the Week, a Broward County Public Schools Best Practice Winner, and recently she earned the Broward Education Foundation Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni Award. Jennifer earned her Associate of Arts degree at Broward Community College.