The largest class of incoming freshmen joins the NSU Shark family this fall, proof that our university is thriving and continuing along the path for preeminence. The semester began on August 19, and we can already feel the difference as students inject a fresh energy into the atmosphere. We hope that you will join us on campus if you can—visit the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center for Innovation, explore NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, join us for an upcoming celebration, or cheer on our student-athletes as they kick off a new season.

We want to welcome John Sung as the interim director of athletics. Sung previously served as the associate athletic director for external operations, where he focused on annual giving, fundraising, communications, sponsorships, ticketing, marketing, and more. Under his leadership, men’s basketball ticket sales increased 40 percent during the regular season and more than 120% during the postseason run. Sung will continue building on the foundation established by former director Michael Mominey, who stepped down from the role after 24 years of leadership. We thank him for all he did to create a preeminent athletics department.

Did You Know?

• Speaking of a preeminent athletics department, the Sunshine State Conference released its preseason coaches’ poll and NSU was ranked second for both women’s soccer and women’s cross country and fourth for men’s cross country. We look forward to a great season for all of our athletes. Go Sharks!
• The most recent class of graduates from the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing boasts a 98.7 percent pass rate for the NCLEX-RN national licensure test that must be taken before practicing as a professional registered nurse. The average pass rate for the test nationally is 88 percent, and in Florida, the average pass rate is only 76 percent. It should come as no surprise that the college is ranked as a top school by both U.S. News & World Report and collegefactual.com.
• There are 13 pediatric specialties serving children and adolescents on NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. Under the umbrella of the NSU College of Psychology and NSU health care centers, these specialty clinics address the important need for mental health services for children and offer reasonably priced services to meet the needs of children and their families.
• Congratulations to the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale for being chosen as Miami New Times’ best museum. With carefully curated exhibits that feature both emerging artists and internationally-renowned works, the museum has earned its spot on the Best of Miami list.

Did you know that August is National Make-A-Will Month? Nearly two-thirds of Americans do not have an up-to-date estate plan, and now is a timely opportunity to protect those you love by planning for the future. If you’d like to establish a planned gift for NSU, we can help. If you have already included NSU in your will or trust, please let us know as we would appreciate the opportunity to thank you for your generosity. For more information, contact Shari Meehan, senior director of development and planned giving.

In this issue of Donor Connection, we talk with Ronald Chenail, Ph.D., university provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. We also share news of an exciting donation to the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship and introduce you to a Farquhar Honors College program that brings high school students to campus and encourages them to recognize that one person can indeed change the world.

Fins Up!

Terry J. Mularkey, M.A.S., CFRE

Vice President for Advancement and Chief of Staff