James Blosser
1956


During his four years at Jeff,  Jim participated in Quill and Scroll Society, Nautilus staff, Performers Club, Red and Black, Junior (Directors) and Senior Revues, Hi-Y, Tennis (2 years) Purdue Legislature (top award), Student Government projects, SPOT Club (founder and President), and Boy’s State.

After graduating Jim attended the University of Miami (Florida) and earned  his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1960, and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1965.  While attending Miami, he was active in numerous campus organizations including President of Student Body Government, Chair of the Honor Council, Iron Arrow Honor Society, Sigma Chi fraternity (President), Army ROTC, Scabbard and Blade Society, Omicron Delta Kappa honorary fraternity, and was selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in American Universities.

Jim served on active duty in the U.S. Army (1961-63) after graduating in ROTC and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.  He continued his service in the Army Reserves until 1968, attaining the rank of Captain.

Upon graduating from Law School, he moved to Fort Lauderdale and practiced law with the firm of English, McCaughan an O’Bryan (1965-1987) and was the Managing Partner for the last 7 years. Thereafter, he became General Council with Huizenga Holdings, Inc and Assistant to the Chairman and CEO of Blockbuster Entertainment (1989-98).  His duties included organizing and leading the effort to acquire the Florida Marlins Baseball Franchise (now Miami Marlins); participating in acquiring the Franchise for the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and organizing the Team Managements and acquiring and representing the Miami Dolphins football franchise/team and stadium.  One of his many duties for Blockbuster Entertainment was as President of Blockbuster Park, and to lead the effort to develop a 1600 acre sports and entertainment complex with stadiums, amusement park, hotels, etc.

Following a two year sabbatical, Jim opened his own law firm which became Blosser and Syfie and was active until his retirement in 2014. Jim was an active participant and led many organizations.  He is most proud of being involved with United Way of Broward County(Campaign Chair and Chairman), Broward Community Foundation (Founding Director and 1st President), Performing Arts Center Foundation (Founding Trustee and Construction Fund Raising $40M), Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (Chair), Homeless Assistance Center of Broward County (Chair of $6M capital campaign), Pine Crest Preparatory School (Board and Chair), Lauderdale Yacht Club (Commodore), University of Miami (National Alumni Board).

He has participated in numerous political activities. He was a delegate to the 1988 and 2000 Republican National Conventions.  Jim was honored to serve as Chair of the Florida Legislative Tax Reform Commission in 2002-04.  Also, in 2002 he was presented the Lifetime Achievement  Award by The Republican Party of Florida.     



P. Stanley Brassie
1958


Stan was a member of the Broncho marching band, pep band, concert band, and dance band, playing first clarinet in the former, and saxophone in the dance band.  He was a member of the marching band that was featured in the 1957 Orange Bowl in Miami.  Stan was a member of the Senior Hi-Y and Junior Achievement programs.  Finally, he was a member of the varsity baseball team and a member of the J-Club.  

Upon graduation he attended Concordia College in Chicago where he was a four year letterman in both basketball and baseball.  He was captain of the Cougars when they were selected twice to play in the NCAA College Division national tournament of basketball.  Stan was later selected to the Concordia College Athletic Hall of Fame.  In addition, his alma mater later honored him with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LL.D) for his accomplishments.

Upon graduation from Concordia, Stan attended the University of Iowa where he received
his M.A. and Ph.D in Kinesiology.  At the age of 27 he was the youngest to ever receive a doctorate in his field.  Upon graduation from Iowa,  Stan accepted a position of professor and head basketball coach at Concordia College in Nebraska.  He later became academic division head and athletic director in addition to coaching three sports.  Stan was selected to their Hall of Fame as a coach and athletic director.

In 1973, Stan was selected to chair the Department of Physical Education for Men at Indiana State University.  At ISU he chaired the university faculty senate.  His most famous students were Olympians Larry Bird and Kurt Thomas.   In 1979 the University of Georgia recruited  Dr. Brassie to provide leadership for 27 faculty in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies.  During that tenure he was elected President of the 23,000 member National Association of Sport and Physical Education.  As NASPE President, he met with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office to discuss the physical fitness of America’s youth.  He received numerous Distinguished Achievement and Honorary Awards.  

While at Georgia he was chosen as a member of the United State Collegiate Sports Council.  He was chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee to represent them at the International Olympic Forum in Greece.  In 2001, he accepted the position of Executive Director/Secretary  General of the USA International University Sports Federation.  This organization serves as the international arm of the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, and NACDA which are national associations.    The major event for this group is the World University Winter and Summer Games. More than 50% of the U.S. Olympic teams have previously represented the U.S.A. in these games.  Stan has traveled to 63 countries in his role, twice each to Russia, China and South Korea.   He has also served on an international commission for university sports.



Cindy Taylor Murray
1974


While at Jeff, Cindy was a member of the Jeff Cheer Block, choir programs, Sunshine, and swimming programs.

Upon graduation Cindy attended Ivy Tech and Purdue University where she later was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2008.  She began her professional career at Lafayette Home Hospital in the Microbiology lab.  After earning additional certifications she held various positions in the medical field for over 25 years.

In 2004 Cindy stepped into public service with her election as the Lafayette City Clerk for four consecutive terms until present.  In addition to this duty ,Cindy has served multiple terms as Board of Works President.  She was also responsible for designing the City Flag, Community Wide Clean Sweep, trail markings at Munger Park, and the Veterans Banners on Veterans Memorial Parkway that bring recognition to the veterans. She introduced the Lighted Christmas parade and recycling promotions throughout the city.  Cindy’s most visible contribution in her elected position was the organization and modernization of public records, making them more accessible to the public.  She initiated the City of Lafayette Employee Wellness programs.

As a community leader, Cindy has served on numerous charitable boards with notable accomplishments that include President of United Way board and the second woman to chair United Way’s annual campaign.  She was the second woman President of the Lafayette Family YMCA and past President of Harrison Kiwanis.  She also serves on the Homestead CS and Area IV boards.  Her involvement with the youth in our community as the Mayor’s Youth Council advisor allows her to mentor and guide the next generation of community leaders.  Cindy is a member of the Ivy Tech Diversity Committee, was an adult sponsor and chaperone for the 2012 Lafayette Youth trip to the sister city Ota City, Japan.  Cindy was a charter and a current member of the Hearing Authority that addresses the most at-risk structures in the City of Lafayette, member of the Animal Control Committee for the City of Lafayette, past board member of Imagination Station, member of Joint Purchasing Board, 2010 Census Committee member and an Honor Flight Guardian.



Randall Pete Vanderveen
1969


While at Jefferson High School, Pete was a member of the  Spanish Club, German Club, President of the Young Republicans Group, played Intramural Basketball and played baseball through Colt League.  After graduating Pete attended Purdue University graduating in 1976 with a B.S. in Pharmacy and a M.S. in Clinical Pharmacy in 1978.  He completed an ASHP-Accredited Residency in Hospital Pharmacy at Bronson Methodist Medical Center in 1978.  Dr. Vanderveen earned a Ph.D. degree from Michigan State University in 1988 and was Board Certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP) practice in 1998.

Dr. Vanderveen spent his entire career in academic pharmacy as a faculty member/administrator.  Beginning as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at Ferris State University in 1978 and moving through the ranks at Ferris State, Oregon State University, Duquesne University and finally, the University of Southern California.  Dr. Vanderveen served as Professor, Department Chair, Assistant Dean, and Dean (in two institutions) over the course of an almost 40 year career.  In addition, Dr. Vanderveen has served on the Board of Directors for Mylan Pharmaceuticals from 2002 until the present.  Dr. Vanderveen is currently, Professor of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, Senior Advisor to the Leonard Schaeffer Center for Health Economics and Policy, and Director of the John Biles Leadership Center at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Vanderveen was instrumental in enhancing the USC School of Pharmacy efforts to provide care for the underserved through expanding faculty and student work in safety-net clinics throughout Los Angeles, earning the school top national community outreach awards including the American Pharmacists Association Pinnacle Award (2007), American Society of Health System Pharmacists Best Practices Award (2008) and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Inaugural Award for Transformative Community Services (2009).

Additionally, Dr. Vanderveen has personally received numerous awards, most recently the American Pharmacists Association Pharmacy Dean of the year (2013), the California Pharmacists Association Bowl of Hygeia Award (2011) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Great Communicator Award (2010).  He was named Pharmacist of the Year from the Michigan Society of Hospital Pharmacists (1986), Board of Director’s Award from both the Michigan (1985) and Oregon Societies (1990) and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Purdue School of Pharmacy (2002), and received the Glen Sperandio Award in 2004 for his efforts in advancing clinical pharmacy practice.

Most recently, Dr. Vanderveen worked with the California legislature to successfully pass a Senate Bill that was the first law in the U.S. that recognizes pharmacists as providers of health care and establishes independent prescribing authority of advanced practice pharmacists.