NSU Horizons Spring 2017

13 NSU HORIZONS I n the history of South Florida education, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) President Emeritus Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D., was honored as a ground- breaker—helping guide NSU to becoming a nationally recognized school. Dr. Fischler passed away on April 3, 2017, at the age of 89. “He was a visionary and driving force in helping shape the South Florida land- scape. Millions of students and individuals have benefitted from Dr. Fischler’s dedi- cation and expertise,” said George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., NSU’s president and CEO. Abraham Fischler joined NSU in 1966 as the director of the Behavioral Sciences Center and dean of Graduate Studies for the college’s three original centers—Behav- ioral Sciences, Oceanography, and Physical Science. He also served as NSU’s executive vice president and was named the first—and currently remains—James Donn Pro- fessor of Education, a distinction created in 1967 by James Donn, senior professor of science education, an early supporter of NSU, and a former Board of Trustees member. In late 1969, Dr. Fischler was appointed executive vice president by Nova University’s Board of Trustees, after the first university president resigned. In September 1970, he was appointed president. “When he was named the university’s president, it was facing a number of challenges. He set about meeting them all head on,” said Hanbury. Under Dr. Fischler’s leadership, NSU became the second-largest private university in Florida, student enrollment increased from 57 students to 10,600, and the univer- sity achieved financial stability. He also helped obtain the NSU University School— a college preparatory school for students from junior-kindergarten through high school—created course offerings that emphasized technological development and innovation, expanded the Oceanographic Center, created new dormitories, started campus renovations, helped NSU’s law school earn accreditation, and developed the concept of student clusters and distance education, which had a national impact on education. He served in that capacity for 22 years, until his resignation in July 1992. NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education was named in his honor in 1992. He was named President Emeritus of NSU in 2005. After leaving NSU, Abraham Fischler was elected to the School Board of Broward County; and during his tenure, he served as the board’s chairman. He was also involved with the Florida Education Foundation, Broward Education Foundation, and the Economic and Industrial Development Board of Davie. Dr. Fischler is survived by his wife of 67 years, Shirley; his children Bruce, Martha, Michael, Anita, and Lori; his grandchildren Kenneth, Danielle, Micheal, and Mikaela; and his great-grandson, Jacob. Contributions in memory of Abraham S. Fischler may be made to the Dr. Abraham and Shirley Fischler Endowed Scholarship Fund ( nova.edu/FischlerScholarship or annualfund@nova.edu ) at Nova Southeastern University, or the Holocaust Documen- tation and Education Center of South Florida ( hdec.org/hdec/ ) in Dania Beach. n Dr. Abraham S. Fischler served 22 years as the second president of Nova Southeastern University. Top, Fischler, seated second from right, with a few of NSU’s original 17 faculty members in 1967. Fischler, Mary McCahill, and James Farquhar visit the Las Olas Boulevard storefront that was the university’s first administrative offices. Above, Fischler, center, was instrumental in expanding the Oceanographic Center; the Dr. Charles and Hamilton Forman Building was dedicated in 1970.