Russell Cormican

Alumnus Russell Cormican '70 shares the story of his path to Broward College and the impact of his alma mater on his professional and educational journey.

"After high school, (1964) I worked full time, and went to a computer trade school in the evening. Tired of waiting to be drafted into the military, I enlisted for 3 years active, and 3 years inactive duty. I served in Korea, during the Second Korean Conflict 1966-1967. Vietnam, Korea, and NATO in Europe, were a very busy time to be in the military. I attended BCC, after my Army service. 

At that stage of life, five years makes a big difference. We were 23–24-year-old men, going to school with 18–19-year-old who still lived with their parents. Some of the younger students, were involved with Greek Fraternities and Sororities. They wore football type jerseys with Greek lettering. We started a military veteran group and wore the same type of jersey with big lettering, "XGI". We had our own table at the student union and didn't have much to do with the frat boys. We didn't have anything against them, we just didn't have much in common, at that stage of our life.

I served as a Military Police Officer (MP) and was pursuing a Police Science Degree. As I recall they were phasing out that degree and switching over the Criminal Justice Degree. I think I may have received the First Criminal Justice degree ever offered at BCC. 

After graduation, I went to work at the Hollywood Police Department. My career spanned 28 years, and I rose through the ranks achieving the rank of Major (Interim Deputy Chief). I continued my college education during my career, and earned both a Bachelor's Degree (St. Thomas University) and Master's degree (Florida International University).

After retiring from Hollywood, I was hired as Commander at the Daytona Beach Police Department. I worked with them for several years, then was hired as an Adjunct Faculty member at Daytona State College, Criminal Justice Training Center. I taught numerous police related classes, undergraduate classes, academies, and advanced and specialized courses for thirteen years.

I am recognized as a Subject Matter Expert by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. I am also a graduate of the prestigious Southern Police Institute (SPI) at the University of Louisville. 

After semi-retirement, I had a law enforcement consulting business, and wrote a number of police promotion exams, did security and threat assessments, and wrote articles for a number of professional law enforcement publications.

I am now permanently retired and stay busy with a number of veterans organizations and church activities.

Broward Community College, now Broward College, was a great place for me to be after my military time and preparing for a career in law enforcement. I served as a Senator with the Student Government Association, and wrote articles for the Silver Sands, a student publication. I needed that time to transition and grow. Most of our professors were retired or active duty police officers, and they brought a wealth of knowledge to us. There is an old saying, "Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach." These guys were the real deal. I tried to do the same thing, for the young officers I interacted with at Daytona State College.  It is a great feeling to know that you are touching the future. Thank you Broward College, you served me well, so that I could serve others well. SALUTE!"