Dear NSU Alumni,

I have the unique opportunity to send NSU greetings as a fellow alum who opted to continue my "life at NSU" as an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy (OT) in the Health Professions Division (HPD) College of Allied Heath and Nursing (CAHN). My NSU "family ties" began about ten years ago and it's been exciting to see and experience the benefits of the growth and change on campus. Here are just a few highlights.

Students, faculty and staff are fully exercising their minds, bodies and spirits with spinning, rock climbing, yoga, and weight training at the RecPlex in the University Center. Creating time for such health maintenance is vital and certainly supports the mission of the profession of OT. Recent expansion of the CAHN enables our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) students to take greater advantage of the growing HPD resources while learning with their future healthcare colleagues. For instance, the MOT students can learn lab skills like transfer techniques and bedside activity of daily living (ADL) intervention more "realistically" thanks to the Nursing Department's willingness to share their state-of-the-art simulated hospital unit with us. Further, the MOT students continue to work with physician assistant, physical therapy and nursing students at a local high school to screen over 500 high school students annually for risk factors associated with Diabetes, hypertension and excessive stress. The interdisciplinary spirit of the HPD has now caught on in doctoral education as well. Our Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy students now take a set of online core courses with their fellow HPD doctoral colleagues across disciplines.

There is also great news to share from my "immediate NSU family" within the Occupational Therapy Department. April is National Occupational Therapy Month! In keeping with tradition, our MOT students will celebrate OT Month by participating Rebuilding Together activities. Occupational Therapists are skilled in environmental modification and are therefore well suited to contribute to Rebuilding Together's mission to help low-income homeowners with disabilities live more safely and independently. Students will also hold information sessions to help their future colleagues and potential clients understand occupational therapy's role in helping people help themselves build, maintain or restore skills for self-care, productivity and leisure. In addition, over 20 NSU faculty, students and alumni will present to an international audience at the 2008 American Occupational Therapy Association's National Conference in Long Beach, California April 10-13. And speaking of traditions, the department will host the Annual NSU OT Alumni party at the conference site on Saturday night. This event proves to be a hit year after year. Hope to see you there! If you are attending the conference, please make time to stop by the NSU booth in the Exhibit Hall!

The OT Department is also proud to announce that Dr. Wendy Stav, graduate of our Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy program, received the 2008 NSU Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for the CAHN. And finally, NSU's OT Department will be the local host and co-sponsor of the 5th Annual Society for the Study of Occupation to be held October 23 - 26 at Lago Mar Resort and Club in Fort Lauderdale.

In conclusion, I’d just like to thank you for taking this time to learn what we’re up to in OT and invite you to stay in touch or get back in touch with your NSU family no matter what department you graduated from by sending an update via www.nova.edu/alumni.

Be well,

Elysa Roberts, PhD '01, OTR/L
Assistant Professor

M.B.A., M.I.B.A., and Law Joint Networking Event on Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Join fellow M.B.A., M.I.B.A., and Law Center graduates of Nova Southeastern University for an evening of networking and camaraderie. The alumni chapter presidents will announce the plans for their respective alumni groups and share recent achievements. Bring plenty of business cards to this excellent joint-working event. Cost is $5 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages. RSVP by March 12 to the Office of Alumni Relations at (954) 262-2132 or by visiting www.nova.edu/alumni/events.html

The Eastern New York Alumni Chapter's Spring Luncheon, March 29, 2008
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 The Wyndham 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. 2132. 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.

NE Florida & SE Georgia Alumni Chapter Community Service Event for Relay for Life Team April 11th and 12th!
Contact Ingrid Suarez at nsualum@hotmail.com for more information.

Ontario Canada Alumni Chapter Spring Lunch, May 3, 2008 Save the Date! The Ontario Chapter will be holding its next event on Saturday, May 3, 2008. You won’t want to miss this exciting event with special guest Dr. Anthony DeNapoli, Dean of International Affairs for Nova Southeastern University. Make sure to update your record here so you can receive your invitation in the mail.

Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia Jacksonville River Cruise
On Friday, Feb 8th, members of the Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia Alumni Chapter embarked on a singular journey up and down the St. Johns River. At approximately 6:30 pm, the group boarded the Annabelle Lee, the only real paddleboat left on the river and headed for a three-hour cruise. Starting the evening with a beef and chicken entére, we ended the night dancing on the top deck to the dulcet sounds of the electric slide. New friendships were made and old friends got to hang out again. Get ready for the next big event from the NE FL/SE GA chapter, coming your way soon!

12th Annual Alumni Reunion and CME Weekend Marks Milestones
A mix of camaraderie, medical education, and merriment characterized the 12th Annual Alumni Reunion and Continuing Medical Education Program, which was held February 8-10 at the Renaissance Hotel in Plantation, Florida.

The alumni weekend kicked off in style with a Friday night reception that allowed family, faculty, and friends to reestablish and/or strengthen old bonds. "The reception is always a great way to get the weekend started," said Lynne Cawley, M.Sc., director of alumni affairs. "For many, it's the first time they've seen each other since graduation."

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Alumni Chapter Leaders Honored at Breakfast of Champions
On Friday, Feb. 22, the NSU Alumni Association hosted the 2nd Annual Breakfast of Champions, where alumni chapter leaders from across the United States were acknowledged for their efforts with the NSU Alumni Association’s regional and professional chapters.

The goal of the Chapter Achievement Program is to generate excitement, energy, and a little friendly competition between all NSU alumni chapters. The program has 3 levels- Bronze, Silver, and Gold- and a panel of judges selected award recipients based on the following components: number of regular social and networking events, donations to the NSU Annual Fund, and consistency/increase of chapter membership.

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NSU Alumni Celebrate Homecoming 2008 at Blues and Bubbly Event
The NSU Alumni Association welcomed more than 150 alumni and friends at the 3rd Annual Blues and Bubbly Alumni Homecoming event. Alumni and friends enjoyed a night of champagne, blues music, great food and drinks.

Guests danced the night away to the sounds of the blues by the Bobby Nathan Band. Randy Pohlman, Ph.D., Huizenga School dean, accompanied the band with his musical talents. Preston Jones, Ph.D., Huizenga School executive associate dean of academic affairs, delighted guests when he joined Dr. Pohlman on stage.

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Florida Osteopathic Medical Association Alumni Reception
The NSU-COM Alumni Association held an informal reception during the 105th Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) Annual Convention held February 22 at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six. Approximately 85 individuals attended the reception, including representatives from FOMA as well as current and past American Osteopathic Association presidential leaders.

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• CPS Professor Presented with Distinguished Scholar Award
• Farquhar College Professor Honored By Shanghai University
• GSCIS at New Learning Technologies 2008
• SHSS Faculty a Keynote Speaker
• The Promethean Theatre Receives Carbonell Award Nomination

• Eighth Annual Humanitarian of the Year Awards
• CommunityFest 2008

Dr. Lyle Bowlin, DBA, '03, has been named as Southeastern University's new Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Bowlin has most recently served as our Dean of the College of Business and Legal Studies, after coming to us in August of 2002 as a Professor in that same department.

Dr. Bowlin was born and raised in Iowa. He has been married to Linda for 35 years and they have one daughter, Amy, who graduated from Southeastern University. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Iowa. Dr. Bowlin completed doctoral studies in Finance at the University of Iowa and subsequently received his doctorate in finance from Nova Southeastern University.

Roberta G. Stanley, JD, '83, a partner with the law firm of Brinkley, Morgan, Solomon, Tatum, Stanley, Lunny & Crosby, LLP, recently co-chaired the 7th Annual Breakfast for Champions of the Homeless. The Downtown Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. co-hosted the event.

Roberta G. Stanley received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh magna cum laude in 1979 and her Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University cum laude in 1983, where she was also a member and Editor of the Nova Law Review. Ms. Stanley is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in the area of Marital and Family Law. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).

George Rosenberger, MS, '80, retired from the FBI as a Special Agent after 24 years in October 2007. He has taken a position as criminal investigator with the Office of the State Attorney in Clearwater, Florida beginning March 3, 2008.

Tana Sachs Copple, JD, '97, has joined the law firm of J. Mark Maynor, P.A. as an associate. Her practice will focus primarily upon Divorce, Spousal Support, Domestic Violence, Child Custody, Visitation and Post Dissolution matters including Modification actions and Contempt and Enforcement actions. The firm has offices in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, Florida.

Ms. Sachs Copple obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center.

Michele Wasserlauf, MS, '98, has been named corporate director of social accountability and outreach for ACTS Retirement-Life Communities. In her new role, Wasserlauf will develop an effective volunteer, community outreach and social accountability program for ACTS, a not-for-profit company which owns and operates 18 continuing care retirement communities and is involved with new development and acquisition opportunities throughout the East Coast.

Wasserlauf holds a masters of science degree in health care administration from Nova University and bachelor’s degree in gerontology from the State University of New York College at Cortland. Currently she and her husband Richard reside in Davie.

• NSU Women's Basketball Earns First-Ever NCAA Tournament Bid

• NSU Increases Graduate Housing for Fall 2008