BCC Trustee Harvin named Citizen of the Year

 

November 15, 2012 - Brevard Community College Board of Trustee Moses Harvin has been named “Citizen of the Year” by Florida Today for his work to improve the lives of Space Coast residents.

Harvin received the honor Thursday night during the newspaper’s 21st Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards at the Simpkins Fine Arts Center on the Cocoa Campus.

He is the second BCC trustee to be saluted for their dedication to the community in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, Trustee Myra Igo Haley was named Outstanding Philanthropist by the National Association of Fundraising Professionals for her work in helping fund educational opportunities for children at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.

A decorated former Army major, Harvin is President and CEO of American Services Technology, Inc., a Rockledge company he founded that serves federal agencies including the Air Force, Army, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Energy.

In a nomination letter, BCC President Dr. Jim Richey said Harvin’s strong leadership on the board is “making a significant difference in the lives of our students and the entire Space Coast."

“Moses has played a key role in helping guide the College through a series of major new initiatives this year that include putting it on a path to start offering four-year degrees in 2013, transforming BCC into a state college,” said Richey. “That is something that will resonate for generations to come.”

He also cited Harvin’s support for the College’s Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget that fully funded all academic programs without raising tuition, making BCC one of the few publicly funded institutions of higher education in Florida protecting students from ever-increasing costs.

In accepting the award, Harvin said to the crowd, "To volunteer our time and effort and the resources, to help our children and help our grandchildren to achieve their dreams and build a community ... for them to grow is something that we all should be proud of. If I do my little part, and you do your little part, we put all these little parts together, then we can really build a wonderful, wonderful community. I really enjoy volunteering, watching the youth grow and achieving their dreams. I really enjoy helping others."

Harvin’s other community work includes serving on the Board of Directors of the Brevard Community College Foundation, Inc., which provides scholarships to students.

He also has played an important role in programs including Summit of Seven, Blacks in Government and United Way of Brevard.

Other Volunteer Recognition Awards winners were Linda Wagner, Volunteer of the Year; Brevard Indo-American Medical and Dental Association, Organization of the Year; and Sorensen Moving and Storage, Business of the Year.

Haley’s award on Nov. 9 focused on her work at Holy Trinity where she serves as chair of the board of trustees and has donated money to help children attend the school. School officials praised her generosity, with one telling Florida Today that “her private giving from the heart is just beautiful.”

“It’s about helping others. It’s not just about yourself. That’s what I’m trying to teach my children also,” Haley told Florida Today.

Along with the BCC Board of Trustees and her role at Holy Trinity, Haley also serves on the boards of the BCC Foundation, King Center for the Performing Arts and Health First Foundation.

“The College is extremely grateful for everything Moses and Myra are doing to advance education in our community and put students on the path to highly productive lives” said Richey. “Everyone on the Space Coast is indebted to them as well.”