Staff Report

Colleges and universities are ideal venues and facilitators for spirited discussions about significant societal issues. To that end, Broward College kicked off the 2016-2017 Village Square Series at its season launch party on Sept. 28 at O Lounge in Fort Lauderdale.

The event was an opportunity for current and prospective Village Square members to gather with leaders in the community and learn more about upcoming topics, including discussions on hate in politics, religious tolerance, prison reform and over criminalization, systemic poverty and public hospitals. The series will close in May with a panel discussion of one of the top stories that was covered by the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board.

During the reception, Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, Village Square Advisory Board Member Mario Cartaya and Broward College Chief of Staff Adriana Fazzano spoke to attendees about the importance of providing the community with an open forum to discuss issues facing South Florida. Broward College President J. David Armstrong Jr., Broward College Board of Trustees Chair John Benz and Trustee Mike Rump were also in attendance.

Broward College Village Square will host the first Dinner at the Square event on Thursday, Oct. 13, 6:00 – 8:30 pm at Hugh’s Catering in Ft. Lauderdale. The topic, “Post Traumatic Election Syndrome: Can the Political Parties Survive the Politics of Hate and the Anti-Establishment Movement?” will focus on this year’s controversial election cycle and the rise of hate and the anti-establishment movement in United States politics.

Moderator Glenna Milberg, WPLG Local-10 reporter, will lead a spirited but fact-based civil debate with panelists Mitchel Berger, Berger Singerman; Edward Pozzuoli, Tripp Scott; Justin Sayfie, The Sayfie Review; and Tim Canova, Law and Public Finance Professor at NOVA Southeastern University.