On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at the Broward College District Board of Trustees meeting, President Gregory Adam Haile, J.D. accepted a $300,000 gift from the Kiwanis Club of Wilton Manors to establish four new scholarships through the Broward College Foundation. This gift was made in honor and memory of members of the Club in areas that are most impactful to our communities: criminal justice, EMS, paramedic, and nursing.

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Wilton Manors in attendance at the Trustee meeting included David Platz, President; Alan Renzer, Treasurer; Joseph Gallegos, past president; Denise Platz, board member. David, a Broward College alumnus, was also recognized as one of Wilton Manor’s first EMTs, then a paramedic serving with the city of Oakland Park for more than 28 years.

The Kiwanis Club of Wilton Manor scholarships were presented as follows:

Buster Barton and Ed Miller Scholarship: Awarded to aspiring public safety officers in memory of Buster and Ed, who were business partners and charter members of the Club. They devoted themselves to sustained and selfless volunteer work supporting the police, youth baseball, as well as local schools.

Randy Comer and David Platz Scholarship: Recognizes aspiring paramedics/EMS to help them realize their dreams to truly make a difference to many people, and possibly animals, in our community. Randy has dedicated 31 years of exemplary service with the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Department and 23 years as a selfless member of Kiwanis.

James Dean and Jim Carrol Scholarship: Supports students aspiring to become nurses. James and Jim were business entrepreneurs. Jim was instrumental in growing the membership in the Club and James donated the land to build a clubhouse, which was recently sold and funded these scholarship opportunities.

Sal Bellassai Scholarship: This award is available to any major and celebrates the legacy of Sal, who connected with his community in many inspiring ways. In 1983, Sal founded the Save-A-Life program so that any impaired driver can request a free tow home; this program is still ongoing today. Additionally, he instituted community events with the Kiwanis Clubs, touching the lives of children with “kids day,” an entire day for kids to be able to enjoy themselves in a safe environment.

Reggie Zachariah, Chair, District Board of Trustees, Broward College (left); Akhil K. Agrawal, Vice Chair & Trustee, BC; Alan Renzer, Treasurer, Kiwanis Club of Wilton Manors; Dr. Jeffrey Nasse, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, BC; David Platz, President, Kiwanis; Joseph Gallegos, past President, Kiwanis; Denise Platz. Board member, Kiwanis; President Gregory Adam Haile, J.D., BC; Nancy R. Botero, Vice President for Advancement, BC; Scott Rivinius, Associate Vice President for Development, BC; Jill Horowitz, Business Development Coordinator, Broward UP, BC; Dr. Sara Turpel, Dean, Nursing Administrator, BC; Dr. Nora Powell, Dean of Allied Health Sciences, BC; Dr. Jamonica Rolle, Interim Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, BC; Rudy Jean-Bart, Associate Dean of Criminal Justice, BC; Wayne Boulier, Interim Dean, Institute of Public Safety, BC.