That’s right, we said library! For the 11th year in a row, FREE offerings for youth, teens, families and adults will take place June 10 through Aug. 6 at the Alvin Sherman Library, 3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd. in Davie.

The festivities start with the FREE Summer Reading “Dream Big… READ!” Kick-off Party on Sunday, June 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the only library open 100 hours a week in Broward County. The party, hosted with South Florida Parenting, features music, games, contest with prizes, a show with guest performers. Participants can also sign up to win prizes for reading all summer long (get a jumpstart at www.nova.edu/library/summer).

The party is a great time to learn about the many other FREE summer activities available. Check out the Super Star Saturdays with Special Guests for family-oriented activities from 2-3 p.m. on each date, appropriate for all ages (with a caregiver):

• June 16 – Puppets to Go: The Frog Prince. Enchanting tale of a frog, a princess and a kiss.
• June 23 – Geddy the Gecko’s Dance Show. Laugh, leap and learn with Florida’s liveliest lizard.
• June 30 – Jiggleman’s Wild & Wacky Show. Don’t miss this comedic balancing act; he has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman seven times.
• July 7 – Page Turner Adventures’ Sleeping Beauty & the Giant. Mixed-up fairytales come alive.
• July 14 – Duck in Truck Puppets’ Dog Dreams in Color. Guaranteed to quack you up.
• July 21 – The Secret Life of Books. Recommended ages 6-12, runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Your backstage pass to explore the stacks with activities, crafts and more, all inspired by your favorite novels! Come dressed as your favorite book character. (Costumes optional.)
• Aug. 4 – Bits ‘N Pieces Marionettes’ Rumpelstiltskin. Classic tale of a beautiful miller’s daughter, a greedy king, and an impish creature spinning straw into gold. 

Additional FREE fun activities for children, tweens and teens include:

• Starry Night Stories, every Monday from 7 to 7:45 p.m. for ages 6-10. Interactive stories and creative crafts for children ages 6-10 with younger siblings welcome. *Starry Night Special on July 9: Learn about sea turtles with marine life experts.
• Totally Tweens, every Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m. for ages 9-12. Totally tweens, totally YOU! Bring your friends and have fun! Registration is required by calling 954-262-5477 one week prior to each program date:
  • June 12: Chocolate Drizzle Dreams. Create and enjoy deliciously dreamy deserts.
  • June 19: Native American Nights. Stories, legends, and making a dream catcher.
  • June 26: Stargazing. Astronomy activities to help you navigate the night sky.
  • July 3: Star Spangled Stories. Classic American stories, fun facts and more.
  • July 10: Sea Turtles. Learn about sea turtles with marine life experts from the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program and NSU’s Oceanographic Center.
  • July 17: When Night Falls. What really happens in the library after the lights go out? Creative writing activities and more.
  • July 24: Extraterrestrial Extravaganza. Intergalactic stories and create your own alien.
  • July: 31: Animal Dreams. Explore what nighttime means to creatures around the world. 
• Lunch Bunch, every Wednesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for ages 6-8. Bring your lunch, eat, LEARN, and have fun! Registration is required by calling 954-262-5477 one week prior to each program date:
  • June 13: Sweet Dreams. Build an edible dream house for dessert.
  • June 20: 1001 Arabian Nights. Ancient tales and activities including a flying carpet craft.
  • June 27: Night Sky Mythology. Learn the stories behind the constellations.
  • July 4: LIBRARY CLOSED
  • July 11: Sea Turtles. Learn about sea turtles with marine life experts from the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program and NSU’s Oceanographic Center.
  • July 18: Lights Out. Spooky stories and shadow puppets.
  • July 25: Martian Mania. Make your own space alien puppet and more.
  • Aug. 1: Dreamland. Dream legends and crafts from around the world.
• Silly Stories with The Shermanettes, every Thursday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. for all ages with caregiver. Enjoy magical, dreamy tales that will have your imaginations running wild. Our very own Shermanettes, winners of South Florida Parenting’s Kids Crown Award, dream a little dream of books, music and puppets.
• Special Tween Events, for ages 9-12.
  • July 28: Gary Midnight’s Heavy Metal Magic Show, 2 to 3 p.m. Interactive magic show with heavy metal rocker Gary Midnight! This super deluxe extended show is an Alvin Sherman Library exclusive! 2-3pm.
• “Own the Night” Themed Teen Events, for ages 13-18
  • June 28: Starry Nights Sketching Workshop, 6 to 7 p.m. Sketch popular cartoon characters with comic book artist Cory Laub.
  • July 12: Dream Catching Crafts & Jewelry, 5 to 6 p.m.  Create Native American inspired natural crafts and jewelry.
  • July 19: Sweet Dreams & Treats Confectionary Workshop, 5 to 6 p.m.  Indulge your sweet tooth! Turn everyday snacks into delicious desserts.
  • July 26: Midnight Magic, 2 to 3 p.m. Watch and learn as professional magician Gary Midnight teaches magic illusions from his bag of tricks. A deck of cards is recommended for practice.
  • Aug. 2: Summer Nights Movie Showcase, 4 to 6 p.m. Kick back and relax with movies and snacks. Please call for movie title.
• Teen Volunteer Orientations, for ages 14-18 will take place June 2, June 30 and July 14. Limited spaces. Applications and details at: http://nova.campusguides.com/teens

Additional FREE fun activities for adults include:

• “Between the Covers” Themed Summer Reading Program. Read “between the covers” of a good book and win prizes. Participate in the adult summer reading program for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize of a Kindle Fire e-book reader. Register for events at http://sherman.library.nova.edu/helios/events/ or call 954-262-5477. 
  • June 2 & June 9: Dreamwriting Workshop, 2 to 3:30 p.m. In this two-part workshop with NSU Professor Kate Heidelbach, we will examine the historic use of dreams as inspiration for creative writing. Please bring a notebook and pen.
  • June 10: Make a Dream Board, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Make a board with pictures from magazines or other photographic sources of inspiration to motivate you to reach your goals. All materials provided.
  • June 24, July 8 & July 22: Jazz in the Gallery, 2 to 4 p.m. A chance to get in out of the heat and enjoy free live jazz from local professional musicians.  Co-sponsored by the Gold Coast Jazz Society.
    • June 24, Guitarist Frank Carmelitano and his group
    • July 8, Singer Rachel Perry and a guest guitarist
    • July 22, Saxophonist Greg Sidberry and his group
  • July 1: The Book as Art, 1 to 4 p.m. Spend an afternoon learning to craft your own folded fore-edge stab bound book with award-winning book artist Tennille Shuster.  
  • July 27: Ladies’ Night Out @ the Library, time TBD. Pamper yourself with a ladies-only night out with your friends at the library with refreshments and door prizes. Registration is required. Ages 18 and over.
• Adult “Computer Camp” Workshops. Prerequisite for all courses (excepts for “Computer Basics for Absolute Beginners”) is a basic knowledge of computer skills. Registration required for all courses.
  • June 6: Explore Job Resources Online, 1 to 3 p.m. Job seekers – Did you know the Alvin Sherman Library has a variety of resources that can assist you in your search?
  • June 13: Social Networking 101, 1 to 3 p.m. Tweet, Tag, Circles, Pin, Friend – what does it all mean?  We’ll help you sort it out! Join us for an overview of popular social networking services and learn tips on how to use these social tools responsibly.
  • June 14: Computer Basics for Absolute Beginners, 2 to 3 p.m. This computer class is for absolute beginners who would like to learn basic computer skills in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
  • June 20: Facebook, 1 to 3 p.m. Connect with family and friends or make new ones with the help of Facebook. Post thoughts, pictures and videos. We will also show you how to navigate the privacy settings. A current email account is required to use Facebook.
  • June 30: Microsoft PowerPoint, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gain confidence and experience in using the basic features of PowerPoint slide presentation software.
  • July 11: Pinterest, 1 to 3 p.m. Are you pinning? Discover what Pinterest is and how this growing social network is being used by millions. Think of it as bookmarking your favorite things-visually! You must have a Facebook or Twitter account to use Pinterest.
  • July 12: Computer Basics for Absolute Beginners, 2 to 3 p.m. This computer class is for absolute beginners who would like to learn basic computer skills in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
  • July 14: Google Docs, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn how to create, share, and store documents online with Google Docs. You must have a Google account (Gmail, Blogger, or Google+).
  • June 18: Youtube, 1 to 3 p.m. Search for and view videos on this popular site and discover how easy it is to create and upload your own videos.
  • Aug. 1: Skype, 1 to 3 p.m. Participants will learn how to use Skype to make calls using their Internet connection.
• Adult “Resume Writing Resources” Sessions. Schedule a personal one-to-one overview with our librarian who will help you discover the many tools available to help you create a successful resume. Make your appointment with Sarah Cisse at sc1169@nova.edu or 954-262-4649. Available dates include: June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, and Aug. 2.

While at the library, don’t forget to avoid rental fees by stocking up on free checkouts of the latest Blu-Rays, DVDs and video games. Teens can also earn service hours by volunteering over the summer.

For more information, please visit www.nova.edu/library/summer or call 954-262-5477.

About the Library: The Alvin Sherman Library is a joint-use facility, which is the result of an innovative agreement between NSU and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. The five-story Library, Research, and Information Technology Center is Florida’s largest library building at 325,000 square feet. It serves the residents of and those who work in Broward County, as well as NSU students, faculty, and staff members. For more information visit www.nova.edu/library/main/. To sign up for a library card, visit www.nova.edu/library/card.

About Nova Southeastern University: Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 28,000 students and is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences.  Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement.   For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu.

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Media Contact:
Andra Liwag, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 office, 954-873-8494 cell, andrali@nova.edu

NSU Guy Harvey Research Institute Diretor Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., (white shirt) tags a shark.

One of those scientists is Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., director of NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute and an international shark expert, who has spent years tagging and tacking the movements of tiger sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

“To come face to face with a predator as awe-inspiring as a 10-foot tiger shark is the experience of a lifetime,”  says Series Producer Alexa Elliott.  “We want our audience to see these animals through the eyes of the scientists studying them, so they can gain an appreciation for the sharks.  It’s also important to raise awareness of the drastic decline of shark populations around the world targeted by the fin trade.”

In addition to the WPBT2 broadcast, viewers can watch an online preview of “Tracking Tigers” on Thursday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. EST at http://www.wpbt2.org/webcast. The Changing Seas crew and featured experts will be online to chat with viewers and answer questions.  Watch a sneak peek of “Tracking Tigers” here.

Changing Seas, in its fourth season, focuses on ocean issues and exploration.  The series goes to sea with  explorers and scientists, enabling viewers to experience up close how oceanographers and other experts study earth’s last frontier.  Changing Seas is currently carried by 86 percent of PBS stations nationwide. Internationally the series is broadcast in 30 countries, ranging from Spain to South Korea.

For more information on the series visit http://www.changingseas.tv

Funding for this series is made possible by The Batchelor Foundation and Divers Direct.

EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS:

Wednesdays at 7:30 pm

SHOW #401: Tracking Tigers- Broadcast Date: June 6, 2012

Tiger sharks are the ultimate apex predators.  Scientists use satellite tags and DNA forensic tools to better understand the migrations of this magnificent species and to investigate the impacts of the world shark fin trade.

SHOW #402: Mysterious Microbes- Broadcast Date: June 13, 2012

On coral reefs, microorganisms are copious creatures.  Throughout Florida, scientists painstakingly work to identify key players within this microbial community and directly link a devastating coral disease to a human pathogen.

SHOW #403: Grouper Moon- Broadcast Date: June 20, 2012

During the winter full moons Nassau grouper gather in large numbers to spawn.  Most of the known spawning sites have been fished out, but the Cayman Islands are home to the last great reproductive population of this endangered species.

SHOW #404: Coastal Carnivores- Broadcast Date: June 27, 2012

A co-production with Symbio Studios

Scientists studying the coastal Everglades have made some perplexing discoveries. Bull sharks are living upstream where alligators should thrive, and gators are swimming out to the ocean to feed.

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About WPBT2
South Florida’s premier public broadcaster, WPBT2 is a community-licensed, not-for-profit media enterprise serving communities from the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys. WPBT2 provides high quality content from PBS, independent acquisitions and its own original productions. WPBT2’s digital media platform, offers: 2HD, a 24-hour high definition channel; Digital 2.2, a mix of Science & Nature Channel, The Florida Channel and Create; Digital 2.3, V-me, a 24-hour national Spanish-language network; and www.wpbt2.org, the WPBT2 website including, Impromp2 (a community blog), the WPBT2 Video Player and uVu, a video sharing website

About Nova Southeastern University and its Oceanographic Center: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Fla., Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally with more than 28,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields.  Located in Hollywood, Fla., NSU’s Oceanographic Center (OC) has been at the forefront of graduate and undergraduate marine science education and oceanographic research for more than 48 years.  The OC house several research institutes. One of them, the NSU Guy Harvey Research Institute, provides the scientific information to understand, conserve, and effectively manage the world’s marine fishes and their ecosystems.  The other, the NSU Save Our Seas Shark Center USA, conducts research, education and conservation projects aimed at identifying and finding solutions to the major threats facing the world’s elasmobranch (shark and ray) populations.  For more information about the Oceanographic Center and its institutes, visit http://www.nova.edu/ocean/

Media Contact:
Ken Ma, MBA, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-621-7961 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu

The three-day conference will include renowned academics from around the globe as they assemble for the presentation of 22 research papers and three panel discussions that focus on scholarly research that enhances the knowledge of franchising worldwide.

The 2012 Conference Chair is Rozenn Perrigot, associate professor in marketing/retailing at the Graduate School of Management at the University of Rennes 1, in Rennes, France. She is a researcher at the Center in Economics and Management, an affiliate professor at ESC Rennes School of Business, and she has published papers in journals such as Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Small Business Management, and European Management Journal, and has led several research contracts for the French Franchise Federation and the French National Research Agency, as well as others.

The ISoF is truly international, with membership spanning the corners of the globe. It is a multidisciplinary organization comprised primarily of university professors and professionals from 31 countries, and it provides a mechanism for professors interested in franchising to discuss relevant teaching and research methodologies.The Society accumulates and disseminates information on international franchising, systems structure, franchisor/franchisee relationships, hospitality management, entrepreneurship and other topics.

“At the 2012 conference, colleagues from more than 11 countries and from various disciplines including Business, Law, and Economics will be attending, thus highlighting the international and multi-disciplinary dimensions of the International Society of Franchising,” Perrigot said.

NSU’s International Institute for Franchising Education (IIFE), located in the Huizenga Business School, is home to the society and Cheryl R. Babcock, CFE, serves as ISoF’s executive director. More than 600 research papers are housed at IIFE and available to ISoF members and others interested in franchising and entrepreneurial research.

IIFE is recognized globally as a premier source of innovative, performance-based interactive franchise education programs and training for franchise executives. Participants in IIFE programs can earn Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) Education credits for the International Franchise Association Education Foundation’s Certified Franchise Executive professional certification.

For more information on ISoF and IIFE, visit www.huizenga.nova.edu/Franchise

About the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship: Serving more than 6,000 students, the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in areas such as accounting, finance, human resource management, public administration, sales and more. The Huizenga Business School also boasts the largest Master of Business Administration MBA sales program in Florida as well as sales certificate. The school is housed in the five-story state-of-the-art Carl DeSantis Building on Nova Southeastern University’s main campus in Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida, but programs are available at multiple locations and online. For more information, visit http://www.huizenga.nova.edu/

About Nova Southeastern University: Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 28,000 students and is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences.  Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement.   For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu.

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Details about NSU Commencement ceremonies are as follows:

Saturday, May 12 – Shepard Broad Law Center Commencement, 11:00 a.m.

Speaker – Honorable Alan S. Gold, J.D.

The Honorable Alan S. Gold, J.D., judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida will present the keynote address during the Law Center Commencement Ceremony. Judge Gold has dedicated his life to the honorable practice of law since receiving his Jurist Doctorate degree from the Duke University School of Law in 1969. Prior to his nomination by President William J. Clinton and confirmation in 1997, he served as a judge in the family division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Lawton Chiles in 1992, where he served in the family division and then the criminal division. As United States District Court judge, he has presided over a number of high-profile civil and criminal cases of importance to our society and the state of Florida.

Saturday, May 12 – Baccalaureate Commencement, 4:00 p.m.

Speaker – Humanitarian Terry Waite

Humanitarian Terry Waite will deliver the keynote talk at Commencement. Waite garnered international recognition in the 1980’s when, as a special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, he successfully negotiated the release of hostages in Iran and Libya. In 1987, while negotiating the release of hostages in Beirut, Waite was himself taken hostage and held in captivity for 1,763 days, four years of which he spent in solitary confinement. Waite was able to return home harboring no resentment toward his captors. In 2005, he made headlines by returning to Lebanon for the first time since his release to visit refugee camps and research the effects of war on the young. Waite now devotes most of his time to intercultural relations, conflict resolution, and humanitarian causes around the world. He is the president of Emmaus UK (an international charitable movement), as well as founder and president of Y Care International, and the U.K. Ambassador for the Lifeline Energy Foundation.

Sunday, May 27 – NSU Health Professions Division (HPD) Commencement, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker – Jonathan Cohn

Jonathan Cohn is a journalist, author, and nationally recognized analyst of health care policy. He is a senior editor at The New Republic, where he covers domestic policy and politics, and the author of Sick: The Untold Story of America’s Health Care Crisis—and the People Who Pay the Price. Jonathan has been called “one of the nation’s leading experts on health care policy” by the Washington Post and “one of the best health care writers out there” by New York Times. Sick was a finalist for the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the New York Public Library’s Helen Bernstein Award, and named one of the year’s best books by the Chicago Tribune. Jonathan has written for many national publications, including the Times, the Post, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Self, and Slate. He is also a regular commentator on politics and policy in the media, appearing on such shows as NPR’s “Fresh Air,” MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show,” and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Jonathan is presently a senior fellow at the think-tank Demos and member of the National Academy of Social Insurance.

Sunday, June 9  – Abraham S. Fischler School of Education and Center for Psychological Studies, 11:00 a.m.

Speaker – TBA

Saturday, June 9  – NSU Graduate Schools Commencement, 4:00 p.m.

Speaker – TBA

Each Commencement ceremony will take place at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, FL. The NSU community is invited and encouraged to attend each Commencement ceremony as NSU celebrates and honors the achievements of its graduating students. Tickets are not required for admission to the ceremony.

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About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally with more than 28,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  www.nova.edu

Media Contact:
Felecia Henderson | NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5315 (office) | 954-383-4695 (cell) | fhenders@nova.edu

Read the entire article here:  FAU quickly plans for Obama’s visit

Read the entire opinion piece here: Susan Kabot: Investment in autism research is necessary

Fred Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D, Chancellor of NSU’s Health Professions Division, hosts NSU's Dateline Health

Dateline Health’s winning episode featured the South Florida Spine Clinic describing spinal surgery options and pain modulation. It included footage of a physician assessing a patient, reviewing radiographs, and a demonstration of a new pain modulator that’s threaded into the spine and controlled remotely by the patient as needed.

Hosted by Fred Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D, Chancellor of NSU’s Health Professions Division, Dateline Health is a 30-minute NSU service program dedicated to promoting the community’s overall health and well-being. It covers a wide range of contemporary health care issues through interviews with health care experts, researchers, and policymakers.

It airs on Broward Education Communication Network (BECON), and is carried by COMCAST and AT&T U-verse cable providers, Direct TV and Dish Network satellite and over air signals seven days a week throughout South Florida, reaching millions of households in the community.

“We are very excited to be receiving our second Telly Award,” Lippman said. “This prestigious accolade validates the quality of Dateline Health’s programming and the impact we are making in the South Florida health care community.”

In 2008, Dateline Health was chosen as a Telly Award winner in the 29th Annual Telly Awards for excellence in the educational video/film category.

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films.  Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

“The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video,” said Linda Day, executive director of the Telly Awards.  “Nova Southeastern University’s accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production.”

For its 33^rd season, The Telly Awards once again joined forces with YouTube to give the public the power to view and rate videos submitted as part of the People’s Telly Awards.  In addition to recognition from the Silver Telly Council, the judging panel that selects the Telly Awards winners and the online community helps decide the People’s Telly Awards winners.

A prestigious judging panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals — each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council — judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents.  The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work – entries do not compete against each other – rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit.  Less than 10 percent of entries are chosen as Winners of the Silver Telly, our highest honor.  Approximately 25 percent of entries are chosen as Winners of the Bronze Telly.

For more information about NSU’s Dateline Health, please visit: http://www.nova.edu/datelinehealth/

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About NSU’s Health Professions Division: In less than two decades, NSU’s Health Professions Division has developed into a multidisciplinary academic health center of international stature. Comprised of the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Optometry, Health Care Sciences, Nursing, and Medical Sciences, the health professions division has redoubled its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community service, while expanding its mission in research and scholarship. Together, as a team, the distinguished faculty prepares students for an exciting career on tomorrow’s dynamic health care team. http://hpd.nova.edu/

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally with more than 28,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  www.nova.edu

Media Contact:
Ken Ma, MBA, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-621-7961 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu

Terry Waite

Humanitarian Terry Waite will deliver the keynote talk at Commencement. Waite garnered international recognition in the 1980’s when, as a special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, he successfully negotiated the release of hostages in Iran and Libya. In 1987, while negotiating the release of hostages in Beirut, Waite was himself taken hostage and held in captivity for 1,763 days, four years of which he spent in solitary confinement. Waite was able to return home harboring no resentment toward his captors. In 2005, he made headlines by returning to Lebanon for the first time since his release to visit refugee camps and research the effects of war on the young.

Waite now devotes most of his time to intercultural relations, conflict resolution, and humanitarian causes around the world. He is the president of Emmaus UK (an international charitable movement), as well as founder and president of Y Care International, and the U.K. Ambassador for the Lifeline Energy Foundation.

The candidates will also hear from Jonathan Sanz, a double major in theatre and music from New York City. Sanz was recognized this spring as the recipient of the 2011-2012 James Farquhar Award­. Selected by a committee composed of faculty and staff members, the award is presented to one graduating undergraduate student, in recognition of their all-around achievement in scholarship, service, and leadership.

Jonathan Sanz

During the past four years, Sanz a student at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences has acted, directed, and worked behind the scenes in almost every capacity––lighting, scenery, stage management, and at the box office. Since his first performance in Opening Night––the inaugural production at the university’s 250-seat Performance Theatre––Sanz has been featured in every musical performed at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. More recently, Sanz performed a leading role in the college’s production of Tartuffe. Sanz also served as the associate director of An Evening of Andrew Lloyd Webber, NSU’s first musical theatre scenes production.

Sanz will take the stage one last time as a NSU student when he speaks on behalf of this year’s graduating class at the 2012 Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies.

The NSU community is invited and encouraged to attend the ceremonies as NSU celebrates and honors the achievements of its graduating students. Tickets are not required for admission.

What:          Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

When:         Saturday, May 12
Time:          4:00 p.m.
Location:   BankAtlantic Center | Sunrise, Florida

Media Contact:
Felecia Henderson | NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5315 (office) | 954-383-4695 (cell) | fhenders@nova.edu

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. — In Vietnam, 4^th-year medical student Leigh Anne Bressler learned the quality and quantity of care patients receive depends on how much money they can afford for health care. The impoverished nation’s health care system runs largely on a cash-pay system.

In Argentina, 4^th-year medical student Heidi Eleanor Hagerott gave basic medical exams to residents of rural villages where electricity and running water are considered luxuries.

Their experiences are reflective of other medical students from Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine who volunteered for an international medical outreach or rotation program in 28 countries in five continents. These rotations provide the students with academic credit as well as allowing them to discover other cultures, learn about international health care systems and the practice of medicine in other countries, many of which may be lacking in medical care and access to care is very limited. Some of their patients have never seen a doctor before.

“In my two months in Argentina, I saw the true humanistic viewpoint of medicine,” Hagerott said. “I left La Rioja in tears and will always keep Argentina close to my heart.”

Since 2008, the students have become medical ambassadors of Nova Southeastern University, participating in the delivery of primary care throughout the world. They have also introduced the practice of osteopathic medicine to many countries, where this branch of American medicine is unknown.

In the education of an osteopathic physician, specific emphasis is placed on wellness and prevention, primary care, and osteopathic principles and practice. Osteopathic physicians are educated in a holistic approach to patient care that includes environmental factors as well as osteopathic manipulation techniques. Osteopathic physicians, like M.D.’s, practice a full range of medical care. While many D.O.s practice as primary care doctors, many also practice within all medical specialties.

Osteopathic medicine, which began in the U.S., is a rapidly growing medical profession throughout the country.

“The international rotations allow our medical students and faculty to learn and share different health care delivery systems and to introduce the osteopathic profession around the world,” said James T. Howell, M.D., M.P.H., assistant dean for professional relations at NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and director of the International Medical Rotations Program. “We are very optimistic that osteopathic medicine will eventually be a major health contributor around the world.”

Hagerott and Bressler, like other NSU medical students, are given a wide range of opportunities during their international rotations. It could be a routine medical examination, participating in the treatment of infectious and chronic diseases, and the delivery of public health and preventive medical services.

“The availability and affordability of vaccinations in Vietnam has been subpar, leading to outbreaks of several preventable diseases,” Bressler said. “I saw a middle-aged Vietnamese man with a nasty case of the mumps. This was my first and hopefully last time to see such a preventable disease.”

Bressler said the man’s case reinforces the importance of vaccinations and it should make Americans feel lucky to live in a country that has far-reaching public health initiatives to protect its population.

“As a whole, my experience in Vietnam has opened my eyes to some of the health care needs of other cultures that I have yet to have as patients,” said Bressler, who also treated expatriates. “It has prepared me to be open-minded and sensitive to their needs when I will inevitably encounter many of them as a practicing physician in the melting pot of America.”

Some of the countries NSU medical students have completed their rotations include Haiti, Peru, India, Colombia, Ghana, Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates, China, The Philippines, Brazil, France, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, South Africa, Ireland, Guatemala, Kenya, Taiwan, Israel, Jordan, Costa Rica, Nepal, Germany, and Pakistan.

More than 150 medical students have participated annually in international medical trips lasting from 10 days to three months, said Anthony J. Silvagni, D.O., Pharm. D., dean of the NSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. He said the program has a positive impact on the professional growth of NSU medical students since these opportunities start with an international medical outreach elective at the end of the students’ first semester during year one, progressing to international clinical rotations during their fourth year.

“NSU students who are engaged in these international rotations return to the U.S. with a global medical mindset,” said Anthony J. DeNapoli, Ed.D., NSU executive director of international affairs. “Their experiences will undoubtedly change the way they think, view, understand, and care for a changing patient population in America.”

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About NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine:  For students pursuing their education at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM), the matriculation experience has proven to be both challenging and rewarding. By combining the most contemporary teaching modalities with the newest technology, our students are assured of obtaining the most comprehensive education possible. Thanks to the synergistic energy of our students, faculty members, and staff members of all of our programs, the pursuit of excellence has become a daily reality at NSU-COM. http://medicine.nova.edu/

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally with more than 28,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  www.nova.edu

Media Contact:
Ken Ma, MBA, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-621-7961 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu

1. Clear the air.
Take the smoke-free pledge. Choose not to smoke in your home and do not permit others to do so. Small children are especially vulnerable to the health effects of secondhand smoke. Choose to smoke outside, if you must smoke. Moving to another room or opening a window is not enough to protect your children.

2.   Air quality.
Listen to local forecasts for ozone, smog and particulate matter. When levels are high, limit your outdoor activities.

3.    Rid your house of radon.
Test the level of radon gas in your home with a radon test kit. If the test result is 4pCi/L or higher, takes steps to reduce radon.

4.    Some household products are toxic.
Use with caution! Look for alternatives to pesticides and household chemicals. If you must use them, always read the label and follow directions exactly. Always store them in high locked cabinets and in their original containers.

5.    Check for carbon monoxide.
Check that all potential sources of carbon monoxide, such as space heaters and wood stoves, are well-vented and in proper working order. Never idle the car or lawnmower in the garage, or use propane heaters in tents!

6.    Water, water everywhere.
Know the quality of your drinking water. If you have a private drinking water well, test it periodically.

7.    Get the lead out.
Avoid potential sources of lead. If your home was built before 1978, have your home tested for lead paint. When remodeling or doing home repairs, be careful that you do not create lead dust. Keep children visiting your home away from lead hazards.

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Limit your intake of specific types of fish with high levels of mercury. Have a mercury-free home-find alternatives to mercury thermometers or mercury used for cultural or spiritual practices.

9.    Too much sun is not much fun.
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Keep the dirt outside. Remove shoes at the door. Wash your hands to keep dirt that might be contaminated with lead, and pesticides off you and your kids.