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Labeled a "key power broker for the nation’s black colleges" by Black Issues Higher Education, Dr. Bronson’s leadership and achievements to Bethune-Cookman have become a benchmark in higher education. Under his guidance, College has nearly doubled its enrollment to 2,500. It has raised its community economic impact to $250 million, boosted endowment from $1.2 million to $25 million, and increased its total operating budget from $6 million to more than $45 million. His vibrant personality, genuine concern for the growth of the institution, and commitment to the founder’s vision, enable him to bring unprecedented private, corporate and governmental support to the institution.

Dr. Bronson’s belief in service to the community is evident in his numerous outside activities, including his appointment to an advisory post by former President Bill Clinton. He has also served as chairman and president of prestigious educational and religious organizations nationwide, including his most recent appointment to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

His list of honors is a litany of his accomplishments, yet he says, "There is still so much to be done." His attention is always drawn to the portrait of Mary McLeod Bethune which hangs above his desk.

"I am just as aware today as I was when I took this post as president of the responsibility in my charge. Dr. Bethune’s vision has become reality, and now we must do whatever it takes to keep B-CC on the path she established."

Although Bethune-Cookman is "erupting with success," he has set numerous goals, including further diversification of the student body, faculty and staff. "The atmosphere of an institution is part of the educational process," he believes, "and must enable students to reach across cultures by modeling human relationships."

In tandem with diversity and growth of the student population, Dr. Bronson said the College will always strive to attract students who combine promise with sound, academic preparation. "Scholarship funds must be enhanced to ensure that young people with high potential, many also with high financial need, can continue to choose B-CC."

For the development of students’ personal and spiritual values, he hopes to forge even closer ties with the United Methodist Church and the United Negro College Fund.

Another goal is to enhance the financial base of the College through a growing list of donors willing to make substantial gifts to the unrestricted endowment fund. With such a base, the College could fund greater academic and support programs and continue to attract faculty and staff with competitive salaries.

Also on the planning board are new residential halls, classrooms and laboratories, as well as additions to the curriculum, mandated by new career fields and changing student interests. Although Dr. Bronson can look back on many achievements during the past 28 years, he says, "There is one thing that is more rewarding for me than all the others. I find myself in a lot of airports and meeting halls in a great many cities, and I never get over the thrill of having one of our former students who may have had problems and had to struggle, come up to me and say, ‘Hi, Prez. Let me tell you what I’m doing now.’"

Dr. Bronson and his wife, Helen, celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2002. They are the parents of three children and the grandparents of five.

Updated July 1, 2004

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