Celebration of Excellence

NSU held its annual Celebration of Excellence on January 24, 2008 at Davie's Signature Grand. Each year, the awards presentation brings together community leaders and industry pioneers who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities. NSU also presented the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards to graduates of the university's schools, colleges and centers.

Dan and Claire Marino were awarded with the university's highest honor, the President's Community Award, which is bestowed annually to individuals whose leadership and support provides the foundation for continued growth of the university.

As parents of a child with autism, Dan Marino, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins, and his wife, Claire, created the Dan Marino Foundation in 1992 to support medical research, treatment and outreach programs for children with chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities. The Foundation has raised more than $22 million dollars to assist these programs, including the University of Miami/Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

Claire and Dan Marino were instrumental in the growth of the Baudhuin Preschool at NSU's Mailman Segal Institute, an internationally recognized model program for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to:

• Dr. David Ahern, PHD SP, 1981 (Center for Psychological Studies)
• Dr. Majdi Ashchi, DO OST, 1989 (College of Osteopathic Medicine)
• Dr. Nilda Banchs-Sandoval, DR RXD, 2001 (College of Pharmacy)
• Dr. Wendy Stav, PHD OT, 2002 (College of Allied Health & Nursing)
• Dr. Mark Marciano, DR OPT, 1998 (College of Optometry)
• Dr. Carrie Giordano, DO OST, 2001 (Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences)
• Drs. Tamara and DaJuane Lateef Anderson, EDD OL, 2006 (Fischler School of Education and Human Services
• Dr.Carol Woody, PHD CS, 2004 (Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences)
• Dr.Gregory Vecchi, PHD SS, 2007 (Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Stephen McGill, MBA, 2000 (H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship)
• Ms.Pamela James (Mailman Segal Institute)
• HonorableCatalina Avalos, JD, 1996 (Shepard Broad Law Center)
• Dawn-MarieBoyer, MS OCN 2001 (Oceanographic Center)
• Captain Jesus Raimundi, Class of 1998 (University School)
• Dr. Reza Ardalan, DR DMD, 2002 (College of Dental Medicine)

2005 Award Winners - 2003 Award Winners - 2000 Award Winners - 1999 Award Winners
1998 Award Winners - Past Winners '85 to '97