NSU Horizons Spring 2017

35 NSU HORIZONS who has deep ties to Miami and West Palm Beach. “She’s a Florida native, so it was an easy conversation,’’ he said. “She sees NSU as a viable and impactful school and institution that is creating jobs. She sees that NSU has a positive impact on South Florida.” He received confirmation on the importance of NSU’s community impact after attending a Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Forum in which Florida State Senator Jeremy Ring (D-Parkland) spoke. “He talked about how it was critical for an economy to have a pinnacle uni- versity. Then he mentioned incubator companies and start- ups, especially in health care technology. He specifically said that he believed that NSU would be pivotal in the pro- cess and I couldn’t agree more,’’ said Parker. “Startups and other drivers of the economy will need to begin at places like NSU. I’ve seen the quality of students who come out of the university. They set anchor here and everyone wins.” It is in these future NSU students where he has set his sights. “My wife and I are not at the levels in our careers currently where we can stroke personal checks of $25,000 or $50,000. However, the ability to make a planned gift to NSU allows our family to make an influential difference for the future,’’ Parker said. “We have the ability to make a $10,000 gift now that will produce $100,000 of benefit to the university in the distant future and that is very exciting.” He doesn’t mince words when he speaks about getting NSU alumni to step up to the plate. “We have a premier university in Broward County that has been championed by the generosity of local philanthropists over the years. There are so many impactful names throughout our community who are associated with NSU. I think that’s wonderful; however, we need alumni to begin stepping up if the university’s long-term goals are to be met,’’ Parker said. “For graduates who attended NSU and received an education that’s pivotal to their success, I believe it falls on our shoulders to secure the sustainability of the university for future students and the betterment of our community.” Does the solutions-minded Parker have a way to get his fellow alumni onboard to join him in his passion for giving? He says he encourages friends who are thinking about getting involved, that the earlier they do it, the easier it becomes. “They can find a way to work it into their finances,’’ he said. “You don’t have to put your name on a building to make a difference here.” n NSU NAMED ONE OF FLORIDA’S BEST NSU has been ranked as the second-best college in South Florida in terms of highest-earning graduates by the U.S. Department of Education. In the overall results across Florida, NSU ranked 11th in graduates’ salaries after graduation. According to the report, NSU graduates earn, on aver- age, $45,200 when they leave school, which is higher than the national average ($33,400). NSU students earn approximately $12,000 per year more than the average. The report also showed that 75 percent of first-time, full-time undergraduate students returned to NSU, which is significantly higher than the national average of 68 percent. In addition, NSU was 10th in Florida with 72 percent of students earning more than those with only a high school diploma. “Our students are entering the workforce at higher than average salaries, and that’s a testament to the educa- tion they receive at NSU. Hopefully, families looking for a university for their children will see this report and give NSU a first or second look,” said George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., NSU’s president and CEO. n AROUND NSU