February 20, 2003

Contact:
Jennifer Meriam, Director (954) 262-5355
Mike Laderman, Associate Director, (954) 262-5354
Mara Kiffin, Coordinator, (954) 262-5350

NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr. Honored at CCFA Luncheon

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) will honor Nova Southeastern University president, Ray Ferrero, Jr., with the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the organization's 13th annual Book of Hope luncheon on Monday, March 3, 12:00 p.m. The luncheon, which raised more than $250,000 in 2002, will be held at the Boca Raton Hotel and Resort.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect more than one million children and adults. Crohn's disease is a painful, incurable illness that may inflame the small and large intestines and cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and numerous complications, such as bowel obstruction and abscesses. Ulcerative colitis attacks the large intestine (colon), causing painful diarrhea, bleeding, and numerous complications, including colon cancer. While medications control most symptoms, the only cure is surgical removal of the colon.

Founded in 1967, CCFA is a non-profit, research-oriented organization that is dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life for those affected by those illnesses.

Ferrero, whose son Raymond has been diagnosed with Crohn's, is receiving the Humanitarian Award for his contributions in the areas of higher education and community justice. He is the fifth president of Nova Southeastern University (NSU), and has been involved with the university since 1984 when he served as a member of the Board of Trustees. He later served as chairman of the Board of Trustees from October 1988 through September 1995, and then held the post of vice chairman until becoming president.

Ferrero, a graduate of the University of Florida Law School, was a partner in the Fort Lauderdale-based firm of Ferrero & Middlebrooks, P.A., and is a past president of the Florida Bar, the Broward County Bar Association, the Academy of Florida Trial lawyers and Broward County Trial Lawyers Association. He also served as a state delegate to the American Bar Association and a past member of the Board of Governors of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

His numerous awards include: the John F. Kennedy Leadership Award, the President's Award from the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, the Silver Medallion Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice, the Presidential Citation Award from the American Psychological Association, and the CEO Lifetime Achievement Diamond Award from the South Florida Business Journal. Most recently, he received the South Florida CEO Magazine recognition as "One Hundred Most Powerful People in South Florida," and on January 23, 2003, he received the Sun-Sentinel Excalibur 2002 Award, Broward County Business Leader of the Year.

For more information about the CCFA luncheon, or to RSVP, call (561) 218-2929. For more information about Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, visit the CCFA website at www.ccfa.org.