Kurt Zimmerman and Patty Hooley have been married for over 30 years. After a storied academic and athletic career at the University of Michigan—he went to the College World Series twice—Kurt enrolled in law school at Vanderbilt University, where he met Patty, who was studying philosophy there.
“We were two nerds who met in the library,” said Patty. “We’ve been together ever since.”
After moving to Florida, Patty began working for her father’s car dealerships. Ultimately, she bought him out and continued to grow the business. Her company now consistently ranks in the top Volvo and Nissan dealerships in the country. Kurt practices law in the areas of real property, probate, and trust and has been recognized as one of Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite.”
The couple has three children. Connor is a junior at the University of Michigan. He is an environment major and was recently selected as an Erb Undergraduate Fellow, a unique program designed to combine business and sustainability education. Ryan is a sophomore at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and is working toward a double major in business and computer science. Kathryn is a junior in high school and aspires to also attend the University of Michigan.
The family learned about NSU when Patty was looking for a place that could nurture then-eighth grader Connor’s interest in marine biology and the environment. During her search, she found Derek Burkholder, Ph. D., director of the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC) at NSU’s Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.
“He was so wonderful to Connor,” Patty recalled. “I really think he set Connor on his path.”
Although Connor’s interest in marine biology waned, his love of the environment and the ocean did not. During a trip with Burkholder to Bimini Sands, Guy Harvey’s Outpost Expedition Property, Connor was floored by the amount of garbage he found in the water.
“He kept saying he couldn’t get over the trash in the ocean,” Patty said. “In that moment, The Extra Catch was born. The mission is simply to pick up trash when you’re on, near, around, or under the water.”
While Connor founded the organization, both Ryan and Kathryn picked up the mantle and added their own touches. The Extra Catch is now the official sustainability partner of the Museum of Discovery and Science and continues to tie the Zimmerman family to NSU and Dr. Burkholder.
“That’s really where our relationship with NSU lies,” Patty noted. “Dr. Derek is so supportive of my three children and their unbelievable commitment to cleaning up the ocean. When Dr. Derek wanted a boat to do his turtle research, I made it my mission to get him that boat.
“I’d like it to tell NSU students to stop by the MEEC, do a little beach cleanup, and get to know Dr. Derek—no matter what you’re studying—because he can really inspire you. I really want to thank him for being such a wonderful partner with my family.”
For more information on how to support the NSU Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, please contact Diane Klein, director of development for NSU University Advancement, at (954) 262-2171 or via email at kdiane@nova.edu.