2016 Fact Book

20 Historical Highlights 1961 The South Florida Education Center (SFEC) was organized to create an educational complex of institutions ranging from pre-elementary to postdoctoral education to invent, implement, evaluate, and disseminate innovative practices in all areas. 1964 Nova University opened offices on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Warren J. Winstead, Ph.D., was named president. Nova University was chartered by the state of Florida as Nova University of Advanced Technology. 1965 The Physical Sciences Center and the Physical Oceanographic Laboratory were established. Nova University received several gifts that enabled the construction of the Louis Parker Physical Sciences Building and the Rosenthal Student Center, and established an endowed chair in physics. 1967 The Edwin M. and Esther L. Rosenthal Student Center was dedicated at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. Classes at Nova University formally began; the student body consisted of 17 Ph.D. students in behavioral science, physics and physical chemistry, and oceanography. There were 17 faculty members and 38 staff members. 1968 The Louis Parker Physical Sciences Center, the Davie Living Complex, and the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus were officially opened. Ten acres of land were deeded to Nova University by the Broward County Commission at Port Everglades for relocation of the Physical Oceanographic Laboratory. 1969 The Life Sciences Center was established to offer doctoral and master’s degrees in the biological sciences. The Leo Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research was relocated from Tampa to Nova University. NSUUniversity School opened on the Fort Lauderdale/ Davie Campus, extending Nova University’s educational programs down to the elementary and secondary levels. Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D., was appointed executive vice president of Nova University by President Warren Winstead. 1970 The first five Nova University graduates received their Ph.D. degrees. A federation with New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) was established. Alexander Schure, then president of NYIT, was named chancellor of Nova University. Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D.,was named president of Nova University. 1971 Nova University received full accreditation for five years from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). 1972 Nova University initiated its external degree programs with its National Ed.D. Programs in Educational Leadership and Higher Education. NYIT initiated a master’s degree program in business administration at Nova University. The Ph.D. Program in behavioral sciences graduated its first class. The Ed.D. Program in Early Childhood Education began.