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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY'S CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL- Nova Southeastern University, the largest independent institution of higher education in the southeast United States, will showcase its service to the community with a gala affair, as the fourth annual Celebration of Excellence is now just more than one month away. Themed "Valuing Community Through Partnership," the January 25, 2001, event will honor this year's President's Community Award winners, Robert and Millicent Steele, and will recognize both distinguished alumni and the Nova Singers of Nova Southeastern University, celebrating their 25th anniversary. It begins at 6:00 p.m. at Davie's Signature Grand with a reception showcasing NSU's community service, with its main program begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. Such as Nova Southeastern University has grown, the Celebration of Excellence, too, has matured along with it. From what started out just three years ago as a tribute to Marilyn "Mickey" Segal, to today's gala affair that recognizes and honors the best that NSU has to offer, the Celebration of Excellence, indeed, has turned into one of the premier annual events in Broward County. More than 700 people took part in the initial celebration on June 6, 1997, at the Signature Grand. Back then, it was simply known as the NSU Alumni Awards Banquet, with the International Alumni Association of NSU honoring its Alumna of the Year, Marilyn Segal. Former NSU president Ovid Lewis concluded the evening by presenting Abraham Mailman with the inaugural President's Community Award, recognizing individuals' charitable contributions to the university. The following year brought a change of venue and a change of name. The move to "Celebration of Excellence" was appropriate, as not only was that year's event highlighting the outstanding achievements and contributions of NSU alumni and students, but it also served as the investiture of Ray Ferrero, Jr., Nova Southeastern University's fifth president. Ferrero presented the 1998 President's Community Award on the grounds of NSU to Goodwin Trustees Fran Goodwin, daughter-in-law of Leo Goodwin Sr., and Helen Furia. Last year marked the return to Davie's Signature Grand, and saw a crowd of more than 1,000 attend the festivities. They were witness to the grandest of NSU parties, one that commemorated NSU's 35 years of excellence in education, as well as the five-year anniversary of the merger between Nova University and Southeastern University of the Health Sciences. The President's Community Award was a special moment in NSU history, as David Horvitz accepted the honor from President Ferrero on behalf of his parents, William and Norma Horvitz. This year's event will be the largest Celebration of Excellence yet, with more than 1,200 guests expected to attend. Seats are $60 per person (business attire, limited seating). RSVP no later than January 5, 2001, by calling Peggy Burrows in NSU's Office of Institutional Advancement at (954) 262-2125. The Signature Grand is located at 6900 State Road 84, Davie. MEDIA NOTE: Please RSVP early for media seating by calling Mike Laderman, NSU's associate director of public affairs, at (954) 262-5354. Please also relay any special interview/photo/video requests and/or needs prior to the event. |