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
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