FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Broward Education Foundation inducted its newest members to the Hall of Fame of Distinguished Alumni, which honors and recognizes alumni of Broward County Public Schools. The event was presented by Pub- lix Super Markets Charities.

The keynote speaker was Broward County Superintendent of Schools, Robert “Bob” Runcie.

The inductee who received the Lifetime Achievement Award – which honors an alumnus who is dedicated to improving public education – was George Platt, Man- aging Partner of LSN Partners. Platt was a member of the Fort Lauderdale High School Class of 1962 and has spent more than 50 years volunteering his services to foster positive change and improvement of education. The Lifetime Achievement

Award is sponsored by JM Family Enterprises, Inc. The three inductees who received the

Community Achievement Award, sponsored by Bank of America, for significant achievements in any field were:

• Ulrich “Ric” Green, President/CEO of Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, Pompano Beach High School, Class of 1972

• Nancy Botero, Executive Director of Broward College Foundation, Northeast High School, Class of 1977

• George LeMieux, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Gunster Law Firm, Coral Springs High School, Class of 1987 The three inductees who received the Education Achievement Award, sponsored by ACAI Associates, Inc., for their dedication to a career in public education were:

• Roderick “Rocky” Gillis, County Athletic Director for Broward County Public Schools, Pompano Beach High School, Class of 1978

• Olayemi Awofadeju, Principal of South Broward High School, Plantation High School, Class of 1995

• Angel Gomez, Principal of Piper High School, Western High School, Class of 1987

“We are truly honored to recognize this impressive group of Broward County Public School graduates,” said Christina Fischer, chair of the Broward Education Foundation Board of Directors. “Not only have they been successful in their professional careers, but they have also made a positive impact on our community.”

In addition to Publix Super Markets Charities, BrightStar Credit Union, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Bank of America and ACAI Associates, Inc., other sponsors included Wells Fargo, Gunster, RIVA by Premier Developers, Video Dynamics, The Charter Schools of Excellence,

Stephenson Construction, Inc., Gilbane, LSN Partners, Patriot Insurance, Pierson Grant Public Relations and Hoffman’s Chocolates.

Established in 1983, the non-profit Broward Education Foundation (BEF) aligns with Broward County Public Schools by providing support for innovative teaching to advance Pre K-12 achievement; critically needed educational materials for Title I school teachers and students, and scholarships for qualified high school seniors. Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $2 million to Broward County Schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.

For more information, call 754-321-2030 or visit www.browardedfoundation.org.