“Let the FIN Begin”- Join us for Homecoming 2008

February 21-23, 2008

Join fellow NSU alumni and students in a fun-filled weekend of homecoming events and activities. The fun begins on Thursday, February 21 with receptions, distinguished speakers, and the inaugural concert in the University Center featuring the band, Hellogoodbye. On Friday, February 22, we’ll boogie the night away to the sounds of the blues with the Bobby Nathan Band accompanied by Randy Pohlman, Ph.D., Huizenga School dean. Our alumni who enjoy life-long-learning will be sure to sign up for one of the variety of continuing education courses that are scheduled for Saturday morning.

The Presidential Tailgate, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, the 23rd, is sure to be a crowd pleaser featuring the NSU time capsule unveiling. The Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will take on Lynn University beginning at 5:30 p.m. The weekend will also include tours of campus, Community Fest, golf outings, and much more. Click here to see the Homecoming 2008 website.

NSU’s Alumni Homecoming Weekend is the perfect place to reconnect with friends and rediscover the changing NSU campus.

I look forward to seeing you at Homecoming 2008!

Sara DuCuennois
Director of Alumni Relations
Nova Southeastern University

Black History Month at Nova Southeastern University, February 1 - 29, 2008

Event Listings ...

Sallarulo’s Race for Champions 5k Run/Walk on Sunday, February 10, 2008
5K Run/Walk 7:30 a.m. start, USATF Certified
Nova Southeastern University Main Campus
Join NSU Alumni Association President Paul Sallarulo and other local NSU Alumni Chapters at this 5k Run/Walk which benefits Special Olympics Broward County.

Please visit www.splitsecondtiming.com for more details and to register.

Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia Jacksonville River Cruise on Friday, February 8, 2008
The Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia Alumni Chapter will set sail for a Jacksonville river cruise this Friday!  This will be an unforgettable evening of dining and dancing on the Annabelle Lee, and guests will cruise along the beautiful St. Johns River and enjoy the entire city skyline!  Because of the popularity of this cruise, the event is closed for reservations. 

If you missed the boat on making your reservation this time, be sure to reserve early the next time the alumni chapter sets sail!  Happy cruising to our wonderful alumni in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia!

Black History Month at Nova Southeastern University, February 7-March 8, 2008
Sunday, February 3
Black History Month Film Marathon
Come to the Alvin Sherman Library, from noon – 6:00 p.m., to celebrate Black History Month with a back-to-back showing of classic films that explore prejudice, racial tension and racial tolerance. The lineup of films are: Pinky (1949), Intruder in the Dust (1949) and The Defiant Ones (1958). Films deal with adult themes; all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 18 years of age or older. Contact Kimberli Kidd at (954)-262-5477.

Monday, February 4
“Gandhi, King, and the Philosophy of Non-Violent Resistance”
Farquhar College of Arts & Sciences will host Michael Nojeim, Associate Professor of Political Science at Prairie View A&M University, and author of Gandhi and King: The Power of Nonviolent Resistance (2004), who will discuss the origins and tradition of non-violence resistance in change movements, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium. Contact David Kilroy at 954-262-8021 or dkilroy@nova.edu.

Thursday, February 7
Speaker: Kitty Oliver - Author and Oral Historian
The H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship hosts author and oral historian Kitty Oliver, who will discuss South Florida’s black history, 12 - 1:15 .pm., Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium. Contact Jeremiah Chapman at jchapman@nova.edu.

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NSU-COM 12th Annual Alumni Reunion and CME Program, February 8-10, 2008
Mark your calendars! The 12th Annual NSU-COM Alumni Reunion and CME Program will be held February 8-10, 2008. This year, we will be honoring the classes of 1988 and 1998. All social events, including the opening reception for alumni, family, and friends on Friday, February 8, 2008 from 7:00-9:30 p.m. and the banquet Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 7:00-11:00 p.m., will be held at the Renaissance Hotel-Plantation. Seven hours of free CME seminars will be held on the NSU Davie campus in the Health Professions Division (Terry Building) on Saturday and Sunday. Additional information will be mailed directly.

The Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia Alumni Chapter’s Monthly Happy Hour
Join us for our first happy hour social at The Twisted Martini, located at 2 Independent Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202, downtown in Jacksonville Landing on Wednesday, February 13, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia Alumni Chapter wants to meet you!  For more information and to let us know you will be attending, email the chapter at nsualum@hotmail.com.

NSU-COM Florida Osteopathic Medical Association – FOMA – February 21-24, 2008
Hyatt Pier 66-Fort Lauderdale, FL
Alumni Reception – Pier Top - 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The New Jersey Alumni Chapter’s Annual Midwinter Brunch
The New Jersey Chapter of the Nova Southeastern University Alumni Association invites you to our Annual Midwinter Brunch on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at Noon at The Woodbridge Hilton, 120 Wood Avenue South, Iselin, NJ 08830. Cost: $29 per person.

Please join us as we return to the Woodbridge Hilton for our Annual Midwinter Brunch. We will enjoy their renowned champagne brunch, complete with an elegant buffet spread of breakfast treats, a carving station, and a selection of sushi, smoked fish, antipasto, and much more. Friends, family, and school colleagues are welcome, as always. There will be a great NSU giveaway for those who attend. RSVP no later than Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Contact Deborah Perlicz in the Office of Alumni Relations to RSVP and arrange for payment: 800-541-6682, ext 22132.Pay by credit card over the phone or send a check, payable to NSU to: Office of Alumni Relations, 3301 College Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

NSU-COM American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians – ACOFP, March 12-16, 2008
Denver, CO
Alumni Reception (time and place TBA)

Law/Business Alumni Joint Networking Event on Wednesday,March 19, 2008 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Riverside Hotel in downtown Fort Lauderdale
Join fellow M.B.A., M.I.B.A, and Law Center graduates of NSU for an evening of networking and camaraderie. The alumni chapter presidents will announce the plans for their respective alumni groups and share recent accomplishments. Bring plenty of business cards to this excellent joint-networking opportunity. Cost is $5 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Please RSVP by March 12 by calling 954-262-2132 or email perlicz@nova.edu

The Eastern New York Alumni Chapter’s Spring Luncheon
Please join us for lunch and camaraderie with your fellow NSU alumni and friends. Chapter President Kathy Corbett will be updating us on the latest NSU news! Join us on Saturday, March 29, 2008, 12:00 to 3:00pm at TheWyndham Garden Hotel—La Guardia Airport, 100-15 Ditmars Blvd., East Elmhurst, NY 11369. Cost: $25 per person.

Includes buffet lunch and drinks. Checks and credit card payments are accepted. Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 25th. Call Deborah Perlicz in the Office of Alumni Relations to RSVP and arrange for payment at 800-541-6682, ext. 22132. Pay by credit card over the phone or send a check, payable to NSU to: Office of Alumni Relations, 3301 College Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314.

M.B.A Alumni Chapter’s Wine Tasting Event
More than 15 M.B.A graduates of Nova Southeastern University recently met at the 7th Street Wine Company for an evening of camaraderie and networking. Guests enjoyed 96 wines of their tasting pleasures. Part of each ticket sold went towards the alumni chapter’s gift to the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship Annual Fund. Special thanks to David Ogman, M.B.A., ’01 and the wonderful staff at 7th Street Wine Company.

Tampa Alumni Chapter at Maggiano’s Little Italy
More than 20 NSU alumni and guests gathered at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Tampa on February 1, 2008 for an evening of cocktails, dinner, and camaraderie.  Dr. Larry Calderón, NSU Vice President of Community and Government Affairs, served as guest speaker and informed about the latest news at NSU. 

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Palm Beach County Alumni Chapter holds annual Holiday Party
Eunice Tall Baros ‘80, outgoing president of the Nova Southeastern University Law Center Alumni Chapter in Palm Beach County, presents hundreds of collected books from the NSU chapter to Darlene Kostrub, executive director of the Palm Beach Literacy Coalition, during the chapter's holiday party hosted by the law firm of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in West Palm Beach in December. Also participating were Cynthia Spall ‘99, chair of the Palm Beach County Lawyers for Literacy Committee, and a partner at Gunster, Yoakley, and Scott Atherton ‘04, newly-installed president of the NSU chapter, and an attorney at Schwarzberg, Spector, Duke & Rogers.

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• CPS Professor and Alumnus Publish In Leading Criminal Justice Journal
• Optometry Student Honored by Optometric Physicians of Washington
• CPS Professor and Alumnus Publish In Leading Criminal Justice Journal

• Celebration of Excellence Honors Marinos, Alumni

Scott P. Chitoff, J.D., 2000 – In January, 2008, Brinkley, Morgan, Solomon, Tatum, Stanley, Lunny & Crosby, LLP was pleased to announce that associate Scott P. Chitoff has become a Partner of the firm.

Mr. Chitoff received his Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies in 1993, his Master of Science in Dispute Resolution in 1995 and his Juris Doctor degree in 2000, all from Nova Southeastern University. While in law school, he was a member of the 1999-2000 Board of Editors for the Journal of International and Comparative Law serving as Lead Technical Editor. Additionally, Mr. Chitoff was an Honor Court Prosecutor, President of the Association of Business Law Students, Founding Board Member of the Law Student Advisor and Ambassador Program, and member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity.

Mr. Chitoff concentrates in the areas of commercial litigation and the representation of businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals regarding business transactions. These include the buying and selling of businesses; the formation of corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies; contracts and agreements; and business dispute resolution. He is admitted to practice before all state courts in Florida, the United States District Court for the Southern, Northern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar, the current President-Elect of the Young Lawyers Section of the Broward County Bar Association, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bnai' B'rith Justice Unit.

Dr. Arlene Brett Gordon, Ph.D.,’98 alum of the Program in Family Therapy, licensed family therapist (LMFT), and certified family life educator (CFLE), has been providing Solution Focused Brief Therapy trainings and clinical support to community service providers in South Florida since 1993. Gordon also works closely with students seeking master's and doctorial degrees at the Brief Therapy Institute (BTI), the Dept. of Family Therapy’s clinic where she serves as Interim Director. Gordon is presenting next week a workshop on "Building Solutions Together: Solution-Focused Interviewing" in Jacksonville. She was recognized in 2002 as the NSU Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awardee from the Graduate School of Humanities & Social Sciences (SHSS).

Alexander Hernandez, J.D., 1999, has recently published a novel (fiction) titled ELEVEN ROSES, which will be available at local Barnes/Noble Stores, and is currently available on-line at www.amazon.com, and soon at www.booksamillion.com and bn.com.

A graduate from the class of 1999 of NOVA LAW and an active practicing attorney. He was also the legal research assistant for Ms. Billie Jo Kaufman in 1997-1999.

Tina Jaeckle, Ph.D., ’08 alum of the Program in Conflict Analysis & Resolution at SHSS, is an Assistant Professor in the Social and Behavioral Sciences at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Dependency Mediator and has trained extensively as a Primary Trainer and Substantive Expert in the areas of family dynamics, child abuse, and effectively managing issues within high-conflict families.

As a licensed social worker in Florida, she has 19 years of mental health experience with children, adults, and families. Jaeckle earned her M.S. in Criminal Justice from NSU. Her dissertation is titled “Conflict Discourse among Sudanese Dinka Refugees: Implications for Cross–Cultural Analysis and Resolution.”

Leisa Morril-Wintz, M.S., ’06 alum of the Program in Family Therapy at SHSS, is the director of Parenting and Juvenile Programs for the 5th Street Counseling Center in Plantation and Pompano Beach. She is currently also studying at NSU's Shepard Broad Law Center. Morril-Wintz is a member of the National Lawyers Guild taking on pro bono and humanitarian issues and providing legal aid. She hopes to eventually have her own practice to incorporate all of her academic studies in marriage and family therapy, mediation, legal assistance, and organizational consulting, working on the areas of ethics and legal dilemmas in the mental health field. The Dept. of Family Therapy at the Graduate School of Humanities & Social Sciences (SHSS) offers two doctoral programs, a master's program, and several graduate certificate programs.

Antionette Nixon Wilcox, Ed.D, 2006 graduate of the Fischler School of
Education and Human Services, participated in the 2007 US-Egypt Education Summit. She currently teaches general business/technology at Union Academy Middle Magnet School in Bartow, Fla. Wilcox represented Polk County as their 2003 Teacher of the Year.

As a national board certified teacher in careers/technology, Wilcox traveled to Cairo, Egypt, to evaluate the restructuring of their school system as they prepare to meet the needs of the global economy.

She was invited to participate in the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards international delegation, which was co-sponsored with the People to People Ambassador Program through the 2007 U.S.-Egypt Education Forum in November 2007. As a guest presenter, Wilcox will make a report of her findings at the 2008 Florida National Board
Certified Teachers conference to be held at the University of Central Florida on Jan. 18-19.

Wilcox received a master's degree in educational leadership and a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from FSEHS.

Andy Platt, B.S., 2001, the assistant athletics director for business operations at the University of Richmond has been named director of event management in the Virginia athletics department. Jason Bauman, UVa’s associate director of facilities and operations, announced Platt’s appointment.

At Richmond, Platt served as the chief business affairs officer for the athletics department. He was also responsible for the management and game operations, and the management of all athletics camps and clinics.

Prior to joining the athletics department staff at Richmond, he worked in the athletics department at Florida Gulf Coast, Fort Myers, Fl, for five years. He was the director of internal operations and business manager for three years, the sports assistant for one year and a graduate assistant in athletics development for one year.

Platt earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Nova Southeastern University in 2001 and his master’s degree in administration from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2004. He lettered four years in basketball at Nova Southeastern as the captain, Most Valuable Player and a first-team all-conference selection in 2001.

Platt assumed his responsibilities at Virginia on January 28th.

Howard Rechtmann, M.I.B.A, 2007, a graduate the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, has been appointed to the Department of Veterans Affairs as a management analyst (GS-11) and was sworn in on Jan. 7, 2008.

Last year, Rechtmann was awarded a Presidential Management Fellow by the
Federal Government's Human Resources Agency.

Dr. James Rudes, Ph.D., ’92 alum of the Program in Family Therapy at SHSS, is an assistant professor of the Counseling Program in the Adrian Dominican School of Education at Barry University. Rudes also holds an M.S.W. in social work from New York University. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Family Therapist. He is an AAMFT (American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy) Approved Supervisor. His academic and professional interests include postmodern theory, social constructionism, narrative practices, reflecting teams, and supervision. He has presented workshops at national and international conferences. The author of numerous publications, Rudes is known for his contributions to narrative and postmodern applications to counseling and therapy.

Dr. Cindy Silitsky, Ph.D., ‘00 alum of the program in Family Therapy at SHSS, has been serving as an Assistant Professor, Education, Counselor Education/Student Counseling and Guidance Service at St. Thomas University since 2002. She earned a specialization Certificate in Medical Family Therapy from SHSS. Her Master’s degree is in Social Work, from Barry University. She has presented at multiple conferences, including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the National Aids Conference, the Annual Nurses Association Conference, among others. Her research areas of interest are HIV and family communication, gender issues in couples’ therapy, and integration of service learning components as part of the teaching process. Her teaching areas of specialization include couples therapy, family therapy, group therapy, qualitative research methods, and supervised practice.

Donna Smith, Ph.D., alumna of the program in the Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (DCAR) at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, is assistant dean for the Moravian College Comenius Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

As America's sixth-oldest college, Moravian delivers a values-based liberal arts education through which it nurtures in students the capacities for leadership, lifelong learning, and positive societal contributions. Smith administers the graduate and undergraduate evening
programs. She defended her dissertation titled "Phenomenon of Conflict Experienced by Flood Survivors" last fall.

Did you know we are looking for NSU legacy families? Do you have more than one NSU alumnus in your immediate family? If so, share your family story with us. We will feature NSU legacy families in upcoming publications. Send your family story to alumweb@nova.edu and type “NSU Legacy” in the subject line.

• Upcoming NSU Athletics Calendar