In 1964, Sony introduced the first videocassette recorder (VCR). The first lung transplant took place. Mary Poppins debuted in movie theaters, and Beatlemania began to spread. In South Florida, the school that would grow to become Nova Southeastern University opened its doors to students for the first time on December 4.

Sixty years later, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the university’s milestones and accomplishments. Join us by visiting our special exhibit, titled Innovation: The 60th Anniversary Exhibition, in the Cotilla Gallery at the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center until January 26, 2025.

An integral part of our history has been our commitment to conservation. In a look to the future, we unveiled NSU Ocean at this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. A hub for global ocean research, education, and workforce development, NSU Ocean brings together universities, government agencies, foundations, industry partners, and other Blue Economy stakeholders to discover solutions that will make our oceans healthier.

Did You Know?

• Researchers from NSU are partnering with other South Florida entities to develop and scale up new approaches to increase the climate resilience of Florida’s restored coral reefs. The collaborative effort is funded by a four-year, $16-million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• The women’s cross country team won the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) championship for the first time in the program’s history. Coach Jonathan Carter was named the SSC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year, and five members of the team earned All-SSC honors.
• In October, the NSU Disability Inclusion and Advocacy Law Clinic hosted Inclusive Communications and Technology Day: Building a More Accessible Campus. The event featured expert-led sessions from NSU and Microsoft, panel discussions on universal accessibility, and opportunities for attendees to provide feedback on improving campus accessibility.
• NSU’s student-run Mako Media Network (MMN)—The Current, Mako TV, and Mako Radio—won 10 awards at the annual Fall National College Media Convention. It was the first time NSU’s Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts, which houses MMN, was represented in such an event.

In this issue of Donor Connection, we celebrate President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., and the legacy he is leaving at the university. The issue features a gift from the federal government and highlights the generosity of donors Milton and Barbara Jones. We also share information on a community program that aims to accelerate innovation in the Blue Economy.

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to thank each and every member of the Shark family for walking with NSU on the path to preeminence. We wouldn’t be where we are today without your generosity, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.

Happy holidays,

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

Vice President for Advancement and Chief of Staff