NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY INAUGURAL ISSUE 2025 YEARS FOUNDED ON DECEMBER 4, 1964
ONE NSU MAGAZINE In 1982, citizens of the greater Fort Lauderdale area voted for Nova University’s mascot to be a knight. In 2005, NSU students, as well as faculty and staff members, voted to become the Sharks. This issue bridges all students and highlights how the university has evolved since its first five students graduated in 1970. B
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Nova Southeastern University’s alumni magazine—ONE NSU. In my role as NSU’s new president, I pledge to uphold the highest standards in leading our university. My commitment is driven by a deep-seated dedication to the well-being and success of our students, faculty and staff, alumni, and the broader communities we serve. My role is to be the coach who helps bring in superstars and hone the excellence of the team. The coach who supports and motivates the leaders, performers, contributors, and innovators who have led this institution to such heights already. Because the university continues to evolve from an academic and innovation standpoint, I’m excited to share this new way to connect with our distinguished and ever-growing alumni network, which is doing extraordinary things in all aspects of the professional spectrum. As a result, our primary goal with this magazine is to provide a forum for you, our esteemed graduates, to share your achievements and stories with a far-reaching audience of peers. This publication will also serve as a way to share noteworthy news and showcase university programs that are making a significant difference in people’s lives. Because NSU recently celebrated its milestone 60th anniversary, one of this issue’s highlights is an interesting retrospective of the people and events that have led the university to the cusp of preeminence. I hope you enjoy reading the inaugural issue of ONE NSU and learning more about the university and your alumni peers. THE INAUGURAL ISSUE HARRY K. MOON, M.D., FACS, FRCSEd NSU PRESIDENT AND CEO Harry K. Moon, M.D., FACS, FRCSEd ONE NSU MAGAZINE
CONTENTS Harry K. Moon: NSU’s Seventh President .................................................................. 02 CELEBRATING NSU AT 60 Navigating the NSU Name Game ............................................................................ 06 Presidential Prowess Paves the Path to Preeminence .................................................. 10 Impassioned Philanthropists Ensure NSU’s Success .................................................... 14 Memorable Milestones ......................................................................................... 76 FEATURES Rare Cancer Diagnosis Refocuses Life Goals ............................................................. 18 In Sync with Psychology ....................................................................................... 26 Game Show Guru ................................................................................................ 32 “Girlfriend Doctor” Prioritizes Women’s Health .......................................................... 38 Meet the Future Music Superstar ............................................................................ 44 Shark Pantry Provides Student Sustenance ............................................................... 48 Siblings Teach the Art of Improvisation .................................................................... 54 NSU Athletics Scores National Wins ........................................................................ 98 DEPARTMENTS NSU in the News ................................................................................................. 60 Alumni Camaraderie ............................................................................................ 66 Class Notes ........................................................................................................ 76 Shark Picks ........................................................................................................ 94 32 44 2 18 54 38 26 SUMMER 2025 | NOVA.EDU
ONE NSU MAGAZINE WE PUT ON OUR FINS TO SAVE THEIRS Shark Tagging Keeps Them Swimming NSU researchers have tagged 10 different shark species from the Atlantic Ocean to the Galápagos Islands to track migration patterns and help protect these essential members of our marine ecosystems. hcas.nova.edu/marine 1
ONE NSU MAGAZINE ON JANUARY 1, 2025, HARRY K. MOON, M.D., FACS, FRCSEd, BECAME NSU’S SEVENTH PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SUCCEEDING GEORGE L. HANBURY II, PH.D., WHO HAD SERVED AS PRESIDENT SINCE 2010 AND CEO SINCE 2011. MOON WAS OFFICIALLY INVESTED AS NSU’S NEW PRESIDENT ON JANUARY 31. HARRY K. MOON NSU’S SEVENTH PRESIDENT 2
ONE NSU MAGAZINE Moon previously served as NSU’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, overseeing most of NSU’s administrative and auxiliary units, as well as its clinical health care operations, since 2018. He also led the integration of NSU’s 30-plus clinics to create NSU Health—a university-affiliated health care network—and oversaw NSU’s COVID Response Team through its rapid transition to fully online learning during the pandemic. In an extended onboarding process more often seen in the corporate world, Moon was named Hanbury’s successor by the NSU Board of Trustees in September 2023. This strategic move allowed the university to forgo a costly and lengthy executive search. It also helped NSU promote continuity and sustain its mission and vision by placing trust in the skilled hands of someone who already knew the institution well. “Dr. Moon is very decisive,” said Charles L. Palmer, NSU Board of Trustees chair. “His biggest strength is his analytical ability. He’s going to analyze the facts, get the right information, and then make decisions based on that. Five years from now, I think we’ll be very, very high on the scale of universities in the United States as a research university, as well as one that’s broadened the health care portfolio of this university.” Moon, an internationally renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon, has had a distinguished medical career and has been instrumental in the development of medical, research, and educational programs in South Florida for the past 25 years. “Just as physicians pledge to uphold the highest standards in medicine, I pledge to uphold the highest standards in leading our university,” Moon said. “My commitment is driven by a deep-seated dedication to the well-being and success of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.” Before joining NSU, Moon held several executive positions at Cleveland Clinic Florida. He served as president and chairman of the board of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and as a member of the foundation’s board of trustees from 2001 to 2003. As chief executive officer and chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Board of Governors from 1997 to 2003, he established an integrated academic medical center in South Florida. Moon’s longtime affiliation with the Cleveland Clinic began in 1984, where he served in various administrative and medical positions, including head of microvascular surgery; head of the microvascular surgical, teaching, and research laboratory; and chairman of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He also served as chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Health Plan from 1992 to 2001. 3 Harry Moon and his wife Ann Marie
“Just as physicians pledge to uphold the highest standards in medicine, I pledge to uphold the highest standards in leading our university” —Harry K. Moon, M.D., FACS, FRCSEd
ONE NSU MAGAZINE In addition to being the founder and president of Himmarshee Surgical Partners of Fort Lauderdale, Moon has been a clinical associate professor of surgery in NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine since 2008. He was appointed professor of anatomy in NSU’s Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences in 2024. Also in 2024, Moon was elected as a fellow ad hominem of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh—the oldest surgical college in the world, which was founded five centuries ago. He is a frequently published researcher and sought-after speaker in the United States and abroad. A fellow of the American College of Surgeons as well, Moon earned his M.D. degree in 1978 from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and completed surgical residen- cies at the University of Hawaii, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Tulane University. His lifetime of achievement stretches back to his high school days, when he was an outstanding athlete in Alabama, earning acclaim as an all-state basketball player and a state record holder in the decathlon, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, 440-yard dash, and mile relay. These accomplishments helped him earn an athletic scholarship to Tulane. DID YOU KNOW? After interviewing 7 finalists from an original pool of 700 applicants, Moon joined NSU in 2018 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. 5
ONE NSU MAGAZINE ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| NAVIGATING THE In December 2024, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) commemorated its 60th anniversary. To honor this memorable milestone, we look back at several historical facets, such as how the naming structure of the university and its schools and colleges have evolved over the years. You’ll also learn about the six presidents who served NSU with distinction since 1964, acquire knowledge about who the various NSU colleges are named after, and peruse an overview of some of the most significant highlights in the university’s history. NAME GAME NSU 1964: Nova University of Advanced Technology 1973: Nova University 1994: Nova Southeastern University 6 NSU
ONE NSU MAGAZINE ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ALLOPATHIC MEDICINE 2017: College of Allopathic Medicine 2018: Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine BUSINESS 1980: Center for the Study of Administration 1982: School of Business and Entrepreneurship 1999: H. Wayne Huizenga Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship 2015: H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING 1975: Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences 1987: Center for Computer Science 1989: Center for Computer and Information Sciences 2015: College of Computing and Engineering DENTAL 1996: College of Dental Medicine EDUCATION 1972: Fischler Center for the Advancement of Education 1986: Center for the Advancement of Education 1991: Abraham S. Fischler Center for the Advancement of Education 1995: Fischler Center for the Advancement of Education 1998: Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services 2005: Fischler School of Education and Human Services 2011: Fischler School of Education 2015: Fischler College of Education 2018: Abraham S. Fischler College of Education 2019: Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice FARQUHAR 1976: Nova College 1989: James Farquhar Center for Undergraduate Studies 2002: Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences 2015: Farquhar Honors College 7
ONE NSU MAGAZINE HEALTH CARE SCIENCES 1993: Southeastern College of Allied Health (charter class) 1994: College of Allied Health 2003: College of Allied Health and Nursing 2012: College of Health Care Sciences 2017: Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences HUMANITIES, ARTS, AND SCIENCES 1966: Nova University Physical Oceanography Laboratory (housed aboard a 60-foot houseboat) 1987: School of Social Sciences 1991: School of Social and Systemic Studies 2001: Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences 2015: College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 2015: College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography 2020: Halmos College of Arts and Sciences LAW 1974: Center for the Study of Law 1989: Shepard Broad Law Center 2015: Shepard Broad College of Law ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 8
ONE NSU MAGAZINE NURSING 2003: College of Allied Health and Nursing 2012: College of Nursing 2017: Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing PHARMACY 1987: Southeastern College of Pharmacy (charter class) 1994: College of Pharmacy 2023: Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy OPTOMETRY 1989: Southeastern College of Optometry (charter class) 1994: College of Optometry OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE 1979: Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine 1994: College of Osteopathic Medicine 2017: Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine PSYCHOLOGY 1967: Behavioral Sciences Center 1986: Center for Psychological Studies 2015: College of Psychology UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (PRE-K TO 12) 1971: University School 2015: NSU University School ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 9
ONE NSU MAGAZINE PRESIDENTIAL PROWESS PAVES THE PATH TO PREEMINENCE FROM HURDLES AND HARDSHIPS TO THE CUSP OF PREEMINENCE, NSU HAS COME A LONG WAY IN THE PAST SIX DECADES THANKS TO THE VISIONARY GUIDANCE OF SIX FORMIDABLE LEADERS WHO RELIED ON THEIR UNIQUE TALENTS TO SEE BEYOND THE PRESENT AND TAKE THE UNIVERSITY IN BOLD, NEW DIRECTIONS. EACH OF THEM BROUGHT A SIGNATURE STYLE TO THEIR PRESIDENCIES THAT SHAPED AN ESTEEMED UNIVERSITY THAT NOW COMPRISES APPROXIMATELY 23,000 CURRENT STUDENTS AND MORE THAN 216,000 ALUMNI. 10
ONE NSU MAGAZINE Warren J. Winstead, Ed.D. PRESIDENT, 1964–1969 Born in Washington, D.C., Winstead earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Richmond, followed by a Doctor of Education from Harvard. He taught at three universities before serving as director of the U.S. Army’s student education program for servicemen and their families in Europe. During a visit home in February 1964, Nova trustee Stuart Synnestvedt arranged an interview with the Ford Foundation’s recommended candidate. Shortly afterward, Winstead signed a three-year contract, ready to lead the charge. Winstead’s salesmanship attracted some of the brightest scientists in the world to join as advisers, and his charisma garnered national attention and critical early funding. He developed the master plan, secured funding, and hired the initial faculty and staff. He visited Caltech and UCLA to study their curricula and administrative model to serve as an example for Nova University of Advanced Technology. “Aim high—at the highest degree of academic excellence. Let your university strive for the excellence of MIT or Caltech, and industry will help you. Ph.D.s in research represent brainpower.” —Warren J. Winstead Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D. PRESIDENT, 1970–1992 A former U.S. Navy medic with a doctorate from Columbia University Teacher’s College, Fischler had taught at Harvard and the University of California—Berkeley before being hired as dean of the Hollywood Education Center. He chose Nova for its potential as a living laboratory for his research on teaching science in public schools. Ironically, mounting debt and a stalled merger led to Fischler’s presidency and a shift in focus. Fischler initially committed to a one-year term as president, but went on to serve for more than two decades, creating a stabilizing effect while disrupting traditional models. During his tenure, he established a 15-year federation with the New York Institute of Technology and increased student enrollment by an astounding 18,496 percent. He also pioneered the nation’s first doctoral distance-education program and created the first electronic classroom, laying the groundwork for today’s online learning model. “Nova University is a dynamic institution; it remains committed to its original mission to create, implement, evaluate, and disseminate quality educational programs and to help each student realize his or her fullest potential.” —Abraham S. Fischler 11
ONE NSU MAGAZINE Stephen Feldman, Ph.D. PRESIDENT, 1992–1994 A national search for the university’s next president led to Stephen Feldman—a businessminded leader with traditional academic credentials. With an M.B.A. and Ph.D. in Finance from the City University of New York and prior experience as a dean, fundraiser, and author, Feldman was serving as president of Western Connecticut State University. Feldman understood the importance of optics in attracting students and donors. His inauguration marked a turning point, as he invested in beautifying the campus with palm tree-lined driveways and fresh grass. He also participated in private fundraising, weekly campus tours, and running surpluses for infrastructure improvements. Prior to his move into the private sector, he finalized a deal for the Miami Dolphins Training Facility and secured graduate opportunities for undergraduates in the event of a merger. “I found that, of the 50 largest school districts in the U.S., which were referred to as the great city schools, 7 of the 50, or 14 percent [of those superintendents], had their doctorates from Nova.” —Stephen Feldman Ovid Lewis, J.S.D. PRESIDENT, 1994–1997 The university thrived on the leadership of seasoned professionals who, despite nearing retirement, were drawn in by the promise of its ambitious future. One such leader was Ovid Lewis—the university’s third law school dean and, later, executive vice president for student and academic affairs—who stepped into the role of president. Lewis, a Duke graduate with a J.D. from Rutgers and a J.S.D. from Columbia, was recruited by Fischler from Northern Kentucky University. From the outset, his vision was to transform the university from a professional hub into a scholarly community, encouraging collaboration across disciplines. As the law center dean, Lewis launched a distinguished visiting-scholar series, fostered cross-departmental dialogue, and facilitated top-tier clerkship opportunities. As president, he focused on adding student-life amenities and attracting nationally respected deans. “We were very much at the cutting edge. Nova probably had more computer power in the law school than any other law school in the country.” —Ovid Lewis 12
ONE NSU MAGAZINE Ray Ferrero, Jr., J.D. PRESIDENT, 1998–2010 A distinguished attorney, Ferrero brought a unique blend of experience to the role, having earned a business administration degree with a concentration in accounting from St. John’s University, followed by service in the U.S. Marine Corps and a J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. His military background taught him the importance of mission clarity and empowering capable individuals while holding them accountable—lessons that complemented his analytical skills. Ferrero revered NSU’s educational innovation but aimed to strengthen community engagement and communication between schools. He organized charity events to spark essential conversations about the university’s future and its role in the state. To further NSU’s standing, Ferrero also became president of the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities—the only body representing all three higher education sectors: state universities, independent colleges, and community colleges. “NSU will be Florida’s university. We’re providing targeted education that’s necessary for that community in those cities. So, in essence, we’re almost living that now.” —Ray Ferrero, Jr. George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D. PRESIDENT, 2010–2024 Hanbury’s three-decade public service career began at age 30 when he became the youngest city manager of a U.S. city with more than 100,000 residents. Ferrero hired him to futureproof NSU, inspired by his success in leading Fort Lauderdale out of recession, securing hundreds of millions in private investment, and transforming downtown with projects like the Riverwalk and Sistrunk Boulevard revitalization. Before NSU, Hanbury earned a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University, fulfilling his mother’s wish. At NSU, he applied his budgeting, bond optimization, and land-use negotiation expertise to expand the university’s footprint across Florida and into Puerto Rico. In 2018, NSU’s accreditation was renewed without a single recommendation—an honor granted to only 1 in 55 institutions. Hanbury also restored research as central to NSU’s mission and introduced unanimously adopted core values and vision statements. “It is the convergence of science, technology, and liberal arts that enables critical thinking and allows today’s students to live out the NSU dream.” —George L. Hanbury II 13
ONE NSU MAGAZINE Impassioned PHILANTHROPISTS ENSURE NSU’S SUCCESS THE SUCCESS OF NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY CAN BE TRACED TO THE EFFORTS OF COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEVOTED THEIR TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE TO GUARANTEE ITS GROWTH AND PLACE IT ON A PATH TO PREEMINENCE. SEVERAL NSU COLLEGES WERE NAMED IN RECOGNITION OF THESE TRAILBLAZING INDIVIDUALS, WHO ARE PROFILED BELOW. Ron and Kathy Assaf In 1966, Ron Assaf co-founded Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, relocating the company to South Florida in 1971. His foresight resulted in a company that developed a theftprotection product that became indispensable in the retail world. Today, Sensormatic is the leading security electronics firm, serving more than 70 percent of the 100 leading retailers in the world. Kathy Assaf’s career accomplishments include serving as the founding director of Boca Bank and as director of Intercontinental Bank. She has also dedicated her time to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in Palm Beach County. • NSU Board of Trustees chair—Ronald Assaf (2005–2018) • NSU Board of Trustees members—Ronald Assaf (1995– 2024, trustee emeritus in 2025); Kathy Assaf (2025) • NSU President’s Community Award recipients • Susie and Alan B. Levan NSU Ambassadors Board members • Emerald Shark Circle members 14
ONE NSU MAGAZINE Shepard Broad Shepard Broad, J.D., founded the law firm Broad and Cassel in 1946, which still exists. In 1947, he acquired 250 acres of swampland between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and founded the town of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. He served as mayor of Bay Harbor Islands for 26 years, stepping down at age 70. In 1988, Broad retired as chairman of the executive committee of the Miami-based American Savings & Loan Association, which he founded in 1950 with $7,500 and which later grew to become one of Florida’s largest thrift institutions. • Gold Fellow—Shepard Broad • Gold Fellow—The Shepard Broad Foundation James Farquhar James Farquhar is often referred to as “Mr. Nova,” as the university may not have survived without him. According to a Sun Sentinel article, Farquhar donated 100 acres to the budding university—a gift whose value exceeded $500,000. In 1969, the university was faced with the possibility of having to close its doors, so Farquhar came to the rescue, donating a significant sum of money to the university. Farquhar served as chairman of the board of trustees for both the South Florida Education Center and Nova University of Advanced Technology. • NSU Board of Trustee chair (1964–1972) • NSU Board of Trustee vice president (1973) • NSU Board of Trustee member (1974–1983, 1991) • Shark Circle member Abraham S. Fischler Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D., who served as the university’s president from 1970–1992, was a risk-taker who helped revolutionize the U.S. educational system by promoting drastic changes to the way students learn. He felt the curriculum needed to be tailored to each student’s individual needs, with content delivered in a manner and at a pace consistent with the student’s learning style. In 1971, thanks to his forward-thinking approach, the university developed and offered the first doctoral distance education program in the United States. Fischler’s program was the forerunner of today’s online education paradigm—an instructional method available at nearly every institution of higher learning. • Silver Fellow 15
ONE NSU MAGAZINE IMPASSIONED PHILANTHROPISTS H. Wayne Huizenga A proud resident of Fort Lauderdale, H. Wayne Huizenga loved NSU and his community. During his incredibly successful career, he created three Fortune 500 companies, owned three South Florida sports teams (Marlins, Panthers, and Dolphins), and was a five-time recipient of Financial World magazine’s CEO of the Year honor. He was also involved with many civic organizations, including the Florida Council of 100, the Florida Council on Economic Education, the Salvation Army of Broward County, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. • NSU Board of Trustee member (2001–2012); trustee emeritus (2013–2025) • Diamond Shark Circle member (along with wife Marti) • Entrepreneur and Business Hall of Fame member • NSU President’s Award for Excellence in Community Service recipient (along with wife Marti) Steven J. Halmos At the age of 21, with no experience in the field and only $52 in their pockets, Steven Halmos, M.B.A., and his brother established SafeCard—a convenient hub where consumers could register all their credit cards and contact one toll-free number if issues arose with any of their accounts. During a span of 23 years, SafeCard grew from a start-up into the largest credit card protection service of its time. After retiring at the age of 44, he developed an interest in real estate and quickly became one of the largest owners of commercial real estate in downtown Fort Lauderdale. • NSU Board of Trustee member (2013–present) • NSU Entrepreneur and Business Hall of Fame member • Ruby Shark Circle member 16
ONE NSU MAGAZINE IMPASSIONED PHILANTHROPISTS Barry and Judy Silverman Barry Silverman, M.D., a retired orthopedic surgeon, helped create the scoliosis screening program for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, served as chair and medical adviser to Easter Seals of South Florida, and founded Camp Yofi—a camp for children with autism and their families. He also served as a member of Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Executive Board of Trustees. As a trained volunteer for the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center of South Florida, Judy Silverman conducted numerous oral interviews, some of which are archived at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. • NSU Board of Trustee member—Barry Silverman (1997–present) • NSU President’s Award for Excellence in Community Service recipients • NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale Board of Governors member (Barry Silverman) • Emerald Shark Circle members Drs. Kiran C. and Pallavi Patel Kiran C. Patel, M.D., a cardiologist, and Pallavi Patel, M.D., a pediatrician, are renowned for their many philanthropic endeavors, particularly in the fields of education and health care. Over the years, they have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to various causes in these areas. The positive impact of the couple’s philanthropic commitments is evident across the globe, particularly in Florida, India, and Africa. The Patels have also focused on community development, specifically in the Tampa Bay area, where they have funded various projects to enhance the quality of life and education for area residents. • NSU Board of Trustee member—Kiran C. Patel (2018–present) • NSU President’s Award for Excellence in Community Service recipients • Diamond Shark Circle members 17
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ONE NSU MAGAZINE Revisioned Life When you’re in your late 20s and pursuing your dreams, you don’t envision a catastrophic illness derailing your ambitions. Sometimes, however, even the best-laid plans go asunder. Just ask Matthew Ricci. Nova Southeastern University (NSU) alumnus and former employee Matthew Ricci and his wife Naomi have spent the past six years navigating numerous challenges, including a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Despite the anguish, disappointments, and setbacks they’ve endured, creative solutions and a giving-back mentality have allowed them to face the future with grace and optimism. RARE CANCER DIAGNOSIS REFOCUSES LIFE GOALS On a Friday evening in November 2018, soon after he returned home from work, Ricci received a disturbing phone call from his then-girlfriend Naomi, who relayed the shocking news that she’d been diagnosed with stage 4B uterine cancer—the 19
ONE NSU MAGAZINE most advanced stage possible. What made the situation even more distressing was that Ricci was working in New York, while Naomi was in Iowa— setting in motion a series of life-altering changes. BEFORE CANCER After earning two degrees at Nova Southeastern University (NSU)—a Bachelor of Science and an M.B.A. in International Business from the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Ricci relocated to the Midwest in 2016 to accept a position as an advancement systems administrator at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. Soon after starting at Upper Iowa University, love intervened when he met Naomi, who hails from Malaysia and worked as the university’s director of annual giving. “We both have a mindset of philanthropy and wanting to help others,” said Ricci of the couple, who tied the knot on July 22, 2022. “We both knew the lingo of higher education fundraising, so we spent a lot of time working on projects together. We started dating, and six months later, I joined her to attend a wedding in Malaysia.” After enjoying an idyllic few years together in Iowa, Ricci left the university in the summer of 2018 to pursue a career opportunity in New York at an internationally known Jewish university. In 2020, because Ricci wanted to help many nonprofits at one time, he decided to join the team at FreeWill, which provides nocost estate planning tools and has allowed people to use the platform to commit billions of dollars to nonprofit organizations. Initially, the goal was for Naomi to join him in “When I received the diagnosis, I told Matthew he had an option.” 20
ONE NSU MAGAZINE New York a few months later. Fate, however, had other ideas. TOO RARE TO CARE Throughout 2018, Naomi had been experiencing puzzling changes in her body, including a seemingly endless menstrual cycle. “Every doctor I visited kept telling me, ‘You just have an irregular period.’ ‘These are normal womanly body functions.’ ‘It’s likely just hormones.’ But that didn’t make sense to me,” she said. Ricci had already relocated to New York when a mentor/ friend at Upper Iowa University suggested Naomi contact the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota—a two-hour drive from northeast Iowa—to get another opinion. “They reviewed my medical reports, which indicated I had endometriosis, so they immediately scheduled me for laparoscopic surgery, and Matthew flew in from New York to be by my side,” she recalled. After the surgical results were evaluated, Naomi was surprised to learn she didn’t have endometriosis. “I was shocked, because I was experiencing all these horrible symptoms and had become anemic,” she explained. “My doctor then said, ‘As a protocol, we need to test to see if you have cancer, but I don’t think you do, because you don’t fit the age group of someone who would have uterine cancer, at least not according to the books and statistics.” On that fateful Friday in November 2018, Naomi learned the cause of her troubling symptoms. “I’m so sorry to tell you this, but you have stage 4B uterine cancer,” her doctor revealed. FROM ESCAPE HATCH TO NEVER LOOKING BACK Although they spoke on the phone daily and wholeheartedly supported each other, Naomi knew their lives would be forever altered, so she offered her life mate an escape hatch. “When I received the diagnosis, I told Matthew he had an option,” she confessed. “I told him he could leave, because things were not going to get easier.” Not surprisingly, Ricci was in it for the long haul. Initially, Naomi was given hormone treatments for three months to stop her menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, the treatments fed the cancer, allowing it to grow. “When I went in for a checkup in early 2019, they did a biopsy and were surprised by how fast the cancer had grown,” she explained. Immediate surgery was required, so Ricci flew to Iowa on the first available flight. Unfortunately, the news wasn’t good, as the surgical procedure revealed the cancer had metastasized. “The surgeons had to keep cutting, because they kept finding more areas affected by the cancer,” Ricci explained. “It went all the way to her second or third rib. During the week of June 11, 2024, the Riccis traveled to Washington, D.C., to share their story and advocate for enhanced patient care. 21
ONE NSU MAGAZINE Luckily, it hadn’t attached to her heart or lungs.” What followed would be a blur of appointments, treatments, chemotherapy, and disappointments. First came a total hysterectomy, followed by six grueling months of chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. By late 2019, her health seemed on the upswing, as Naomi’s hair was growing back and her energy was returning. But in June 2020, Naomi’s physician shared devastating news—the cancer had returned and was even more aggressive. BIG APPLE ANGST AND COVID While Naomi was fighting to regain her wellness in Iowa, Matthew was experiencing profound challenges in New York. “You can be surrounded by millions of people and still feel extremely alone,” said Ricci, who was tied to a one-year professional contract in the Big Apple. When his contract ended in September 2019, Ricci returned to Florida to spend three months with his family and Naomi before returning to New York in January 2020 to launch a new career with FreeWill, where he helps guide nonprofits from grassroots to nationally recognized pursuits regarding ways to expand their planned giving opportunities. Three months into his new job, however, upheaval appeared in the form of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. “We had recently moved into a gorgeous office between Tribeca and SoHo. Then, four weeks later, the pandemic forced us to shut down,” he explained. “We packed everything up, closed the office, took our laptops, went home to our families, and never returned to the office. The company is now 100 percent remote.” FEVER TO FREEZE: RADICAL RESET One benefit of the pandemic was that it allowed Ricci to return to Iowa, work remotely, and be with Naomi. Because traditional treatments had failed to quell the cancer, she enrolled in a revolutionary clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota that comprises an mRNA type of vaccine treatment. “Basically, the treatment trains your body to learn how to fight cancer,” Ricci explained. “What they did was sedate Naomi, make her run a 104-degree fever, and then cool her body through a full body suit with recirculating, 60-degree water. Every 45 minutes or so, they would take 10 vials of blood from her, extract what they needed from it for testing, and then put it back in. This went on for four days, and then they monitored her closely for the next two weeks.” Naomi, who was one of the first 70 patients to participate in the trial, knew this was essentially her last hope. “I had to read and sign a three-inch stack of forms, as well as learn about the risk of the treatments, because one person had already died in the study,” she said. “But this was my last chance to live without having to go through chemotherapy again, which was horrible.” For the next year, the couple fell into a specific routine, with him working from home and her at Upper Iowa University, interspersed with regular visits to the Mayo Clinic. “Naomi was getting her treatments every three weeks, so we were traveling back and forth, four hours round trip each time,” Ricci explained. “Some days, we stayed in a hotel while they ran tests.” Toward the end of 2021, how- ever, Naomi’s physicians had a serious talk with the couple, telling Naomi she wasn’t going to recover emotionally and physically until she took time off from her demanding work schedule. “She was running a phone-a-thon and hosting a parade during homecoming,” Ricci said. “She would set all that up—car shows, alumni events, football games, baseball games—and work from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.” Clearly, something had to change. “I had to read and sign a three-inch stack of forms, as well as learn about the risk.” 22
ONE NSU MAGAZINE ROLLING OUT A NEW LIFE PLAN Naomi depended upon her job to provide health insurance, but working made maintaining her health untenable. “We finally hit a breaking point and saw that she really needed to take time off, so she did,” Ricci explained. “I proposed to her in October 2021, and she left the university.” One of the couple’s goals was to travel across the United States and be mobile, which could now be realized since Ricci worked remotely, and Naomi was no longer working. “We purchased an RV—a Class C that has a 32-foot living space—and hit the road around Thanksgiving 2021,” he said. “We plan our travels around Naomi’s treatment at the Mayo Clinic, which includes scans, X-rays, and other therapies. It’s very challenging to change hospital systems, so we wanted to stay within the Mayo system, because we trusted the Mayo Clinic’s medical staff, and it has three locations that are spread throughout the United States in Minnesota; in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona; and in Jacksonville, Florida.” According to Ricci, a typical day begins with a significant amount of early-morning driving before reaching their destination. “Then, we stop somewhere, so I can work for eight hours, before getting back on the road,” he said. “We try to stay at RV parks or camping sites. We have an Internet-type satellite dish that sits atop the RV. I also use a mobile hotspot on my phone, so I can do Zoom meetings and maintain reports and databases.” 23
ONE NSU MAGAZINE FULL CIRCLE, CANCER-FREE In November 2023, following more than five years of debilitating treatments, grueling travel, and unrelenting anxiety, the duo received the best possible news. After enduring four CT scans and numerous follow-up visits to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Naomi was classified as cancer-free. As Naomi regained her strength, her optimistic view of the future encouraged the couple to take action for others. “We were blessed with the ability on our RV travels to meet patients and caregivers, some of whom have been waiting for new forms of medical treatment,” Ricci explained. “They were in our minds when we made the proactive decision to voice our story to others.” During the week of June 11, 2024, they traveled to Washington, D.C., to share their story and advocate for enhanced patient care. “Through an organization called Patients Rising, we gathered with more than 70 patients with rare diseases like Naomi, as well as patient advocates and care- givers like me. In total, our cohort met with more than 200 representatives and senators on Capitol Hill,” Ricci explained. “We walked the halls of Congress to discuss a better future for all patients by shedding light on the everyday challenges patients with rare diseases face, including the exorbitant costs,” he continued. “We met with the staff of five House of Representatives members and four senators. Beyond earning his academic degrees at NSU, Ricci has strong ties to the university that are both familial and vocational. His dad Jimmy Ricci, CRL, ACT, ALT, (pictured left) is a longtime NSU employee who works as associate director of physical security-locksmith operations in the NSU Public Safety Department. Ricci’s close connection with NSU began when he was 14 years old and attended the grand opening of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center. A chance meeting with the vice president of NSU’s Office of Innovation and Information Technology (OIIT) created an opportunity for him to participate in the office’s informational technology summer internship program for the next few years until he graduated from high school. In 2006, his participation in the internship program led to a full-time position as an information technology specialist at NSU OIIT for almost five years. Looking to learn as much as possible and “gain a holistic understanding of the university,” he spent the next several years working in various NSU roles. These included stints as a technology and operations specialist in what is now called Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, as an academic coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Department, and as an advancement services analyst in University Advancement. We also had a one-on-one sitdown with Senator Mike Braun of Indiana to discuss ideas and solutions for making more affordable and readily available medical treatments for rare diseases in the United States.” The past six years have taught the couple many life lessons, including the importance of “making sure you are always a fervent advocate for yourself when it comes to your health, because you know your body best.” Naomi stressed. “And always get a second opinion.” NSU BOND RUNS DEEP OPPOSITE PAGE: Family support has been integral to helping Matthew and Naomi Ricci cope with this challenging ordeal. Pictured from left are Jimmy, Reneé, Matthew, and Naomi Ricci. 24
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ONE NSU MAGAZINE It’s not often a star athlete decides to step away from a lucrative playing career to switch gears and pursue a master’s degree and a doctorate in psychology. But that’s precisely what Julius Thomas did when he retired from the National Football League (NFL) in the summer of 2018 at the age of 30. PSYCHOLOGY In Sync with STEPPING AWAY FROM A LUCRATIVE FOOTBALL CAREER AND INTO THE PSYCHOLOGY FIELD ISN’T SOMETHING MOST ELITE PLAYERS WHO’VE BEEN TO A SUPER BOWL WOULD CONSIDER DOING. HOWEVER, AS A GROWING DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS AND NURTURE HIS INTELLECTUAL SIDE MOVED TO THE FORE, JULIUS THOMAS, M.S., CHOSE TO RETIRE FROM FOOTBALL AND FOLLOW HIS HEART. Thomas, who grew up in Stockton, California, knew from an early age that a sports career would be his ticket to securing a good education and attending college, so he dedicated himself to becoming the best basketball player possible. “In 2006, I received a scholarship to play NCAA Division I basketball at Portland State University in Oregon,” he said. “I was one of the fortunate young men to go to college from where I grew up.” Once he entered college, however, a significant doubt surfaced. “I regretted not playing football in high school and had this lingering feeling that I could be an NFL player,” 26
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ONE NSU MAGAZINE ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// he explained. “After playing college hoops for a few years, I felt I had to give football a shot. I was terrible at it for the first six months. Eventually, the time and effort I spent trying to improve helped me reach my goal of becoming an NFL player.” After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Resource Management at Portland State University—and playing both basketball and football during his senior year at Portland State—Thomas set his sights on the NFL. “SUPER” EXCITEMENT In 2011, Thomas’s dream of playing in the NFL became a “ I NEEDED TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO STEP AWAY FROM FOOTBALL TO DISCOVER THE PARTS OF ME I WAS UNABLE TO BE FOR THE MANY YEARS I SPENT AS AN ATHLETE.” reality when he was chosen by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Although his first two seasons as a tight end with the Broncos were uneventful, life changed drastically in the 2013 season. Thomas and his team lit up the stat sheets and reached the Super Bowl, before losing 43–8 to the Seattle Seahawks. “My most enjoyable moments in football were from 2013, when the Broncos became the most prolific offense in NFL history,” he said. “It felt like spending a year in flow state. The hard work, the challenge of the NFL season, and the joy of true teamwork came together to allow our team to play with a 28
ONE NSU MAGAZINE / cohesion that had not been seen before.” Over the next several seasons, Thomas continued to rack up impressive on-field results as a player for the Broncos, before moving on to stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins. By 2018, however, Thomas’s interest in helping others and solving problems had taken precedence over his passion for football. MINDSET MODIFICATION After hanging up his football cleats for good in the summer of 2018, Thomas made a bold transition to the psychology field in 2019, because of his growing desire to help others. “I chose psychology for several reasons, including to challenge myself in a way I believed was important,” he said. “This may be difficult for people to understand, but I felt my mind was understimuated while playing football. I didn’t have the ability to solve problems and make decisions in my professional career,” Thomas explained. “For athletes, even as your career progresses, you still have everyone making all the decisions for you. I wanted autonomy, responsi- bility, and increased cognitive rigor, but each time I asked to have a greater influence on how I performed my job, I was rebuffed.” Thomas said he knew it was time to make a career change after he heard the same demeaning remark from two coaches on two different teams. “They said, ‘We pay you to run, not to think.’ A part of who I am is intellectual, and I didn’t want to repress that part of my being any longer,” he admitted. “I needed to have the courage to step away from football to discover the parts of me I was unable to be for the many years I spent as an athlete.” NFL TO NSU Because the last team he played for before retiring from football was the Miami Dolphins, whose training facility was based at Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU’s) Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus at the time, Thomas was already familiar with the university. Consequently, when he decided to pursue a master’s degree in psychology, NSU was his clear-cut choice. 29
ONE NSU MAGAZINE “I learned from personal experience, and the experiences of those around me, that all people suffer,” said Thomas, who earned his M.S. in Clinical Psychology from NSU’s College of Psychology in 2022. “I chose psychology because I was tired of pointing my finger at human problems and saying someone should do something about the way people were struggling around me. Studying psychology provided me with the training and experience I need to help people overcome the personal challenges they face in life.” One of the ways he assists the athletic community he came from is by serving as a mental performance specialist for the San Antonio Spurs. “It is truly an honor to have a full-circle moment of being back in professional sports,” he said. “I often think about how my clinical and academic work at NSU has prepared me to help support athletes at the professional level. The talent to be able to relate to the experiences the athletes have, combined with the skills to help them navigate perform- ance, mental, and emotional challenges, is something I am quite proud of. The last several years of studying and learning continue to pay off in ways that allow me to have signifi- cant impact.” FUTURE IN FOCUS Thomas, who is pursuing his doctorate in clinical psychology and serves as an adjunct instructor in NSU’s College of Psychology, already has his sights set on what he’ll be doing once he earns his Psy.D. degree in 2025. “As the end of my graduate studies approaches, I look forward to being able to focus full time on my company, Optimal Performance. I have seen such a positive reception for the work I do in the corporate and sports performance space. The feedback I receive about how the work we do at Optimal Performance helps other people inspires me to continue looking for ways to support high performers in all performance settings,” he explained. “I plan to do more of what I am doing currently, which includes teaching and inspiring students to discover their passions and pursue them professionally,” he added. “I also enjoy working with companies and providing them with information about the mind and brain to better assist them with reaching company goals. “STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY PROVIDED ME WITH THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE I NEED TO HELP PEOPLE OVERCOME THE PERSONAL CHALLENGES THEY FACE IN LIFE.” 30
ONE NSU MAGAZINE Providing mental performance coaching for individuals and businesses keeps me on my toes and helps exercise my psychological acumen.” He also plans to continue working on building and creating programs that help prevent illness and disease and strengthen individual well-being. “Studying health psychology has made me aware of many mental and physical illnesses people have been diagnosed with,” Thomas explained. “Individuals During his collegiate and NFL careers, Thomas amassed many impressive achievements and statistics. Below is a summary of those successes. • As a player on the Portland State basketball team, Thomas set university records for career games played (121), career wins (78), and career field goals percentage (.663). • During his collegiate and professional careers, he played in two Pro Bowls, two NCAA March Madness basketball tournaments, and one Super Bowl. • Thomas scored 12 touchdown receptions—the most by any Denver Broncos tight end—in the 2013 season. • In 2015, Thomas received the Walter Payton Man of the Year award from the Jacksonville Jaguars. • In 2016, he was inducted into the Portland State Hall of Fame (basketball and football). • Thomas finished his NFL career with 2,406 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns. “BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR HOW OLD YOU ARE, ALLOW YOURSELF TO DREAM BIG DREAMS. CREATE A VISION FOR YOUR LIFE AND PURSUE THAT VISION WITH GREAT EFFORT. THE BIGGER THE VISION, THE BIGGER THE CHALLENGE. AS YOU OVERCOME CHALLENGES, YOU WILL DEVELOP PERSONAL MEANING AND CONFIDENCE.” and their lifestyle choices have a tremendous impact on how they function at home and work. I look forward to growing the Optimal Performance brand to increase health education and help people avoid the health conditions that make enjoying life challenging.” Although he’s still a young man, Thomas possesses the wisdom to humbly reflect on what he’s already accomplished—even as he optimistically looks toward the future. “I was very blessed to have a successful playing career in both football and basketball, and there are so many great experiences I have been a part of,” he acknowledged. “I am one of the few people who can say he had the pleasure of participating in the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament and the Super Bowl. Every kid in America grows up thinking about what it would be like to play in one of those iconic competitions, and I got the chance to experience both.” //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 31
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