NSU Horizons Spring/Summer 2009

is produced by the Office of Public Affairs at Nova Southeastern University 3301 College Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314-7796 ADVISORY BOARD Ray Ferrero, Jr., J.D. President, Nova Southeastern University Frederick Lippman, R.Ph ., Ed.D. Chancellor, Health Professions Division George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Frank DePiano, Ph.D. University Provost and Vice President Academic Affairs Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D. Dean, Oceanographic Center Brad A. Williams, Ed.D. Dean, Student Affairs Honggang Yang, Ph.D. Dean, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences David Dawson, B.B.A. Executive Director, University Relations EXECUTIVE EDITOR Julie Spechler Director, Public Affairs MANAGING EDITOR Andra Liwag Associate Director, Public Affairs ART DIRECTOR Susan A. Tischenkel Associate Director of Publications Senior Graphic Designer CONTRIBUTING EDITORS AND WRITERS Alan Hancock Associate Director, Public Affairs Felecia Henderson Associate Director, Public Affairs Ken Ma Associate Director, Public Affairs Elizabeth Serioux Coordinator, Business Operations OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS Ron Ryan, Director of Publications Sheryl Koral, University Editor Dana Kantrowitz, Associate Editor and Copywriter Roberta Harris, Graphic Production Manager Send letters to the editor to julies@nsu.nova.edu or use our online contact form. Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decataur, Georgia 30033-4097, Telephone number: 404-679-4501) to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, educa- tional specialist, and doctoral degrees. ■ Nova Southeastern University admits students of any race, color, sex, age, nondis- qualifying disability, religion or creed, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school, and does not discriminate in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. 03-128-09SAT H orizon S To the Friends and Family of NSU: Completing my 11th year as NSU’s fifth president, I’m pleased to note that the editors of Horizons have elected to pay tribute in this issue to our second president, Abe Fischler. Besides being NSU’s longest-serving president (1970–1991), Abe is a true visionary who laid a firm foundation for our present success. He remains a vital community force, valued colleague, and friend. On campus, we’ve begun an internal engagement campaign called I Believe in NSU! to build greater pride and internal knowledge of our university’s achievements. Promoting our awareness of the university’s diverse accomplishments and the individuals behind them, this program represents a stepping-stone to developing our own perceptions of NSU as a great institution. For our internal audience, as well as for members of the broader community, this issue showcases many exciting examples of our educational prowess and innovation. For example, you’ll read about our educational outreach, which continues to grow. Close to home, in Miramar, classes in education and business are now available. We’ve also opened larger facilities in Tampa and Fort Myers and a new pediatric clinic in Hollywood. Looking beyond the state of Florida, you’ll learn that NSU students interested in pharmacy and optometry can study in China. Because donors are in the business of rewarding success, a large gift represents a tremendous vote of confidence in NSU’s upholding of our educational mission. In this spirit, I invite you to read about the gift of entrepreneur Don Taft that resulted in his name’s appearance on our University Center. Additionally, you’ll read about a kaleidoscope of topics ranging from the rapid expan- sion of the university’s arts programs and dermatology services, to the mapping of coral reefs in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea. The amazing variety of pursuits here at NSU never ceases to amaze me. In an era in which NSU has recently established a presence on the LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter social networking sites, I wonder if Abe ever dreamed of some of the remarkable things that NSU is doing now. Ray Ferrero, Jr., J.D. President, Nova Southeastern University 2 horizons