NSU to Honor Lorraine Thomas with President’s Community Award at Celebration of Excellence

Alumni of Distinction also to be recognized at annual event on Jan. 22

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will award Lorraine Thomas with the university’s highest honor, the President’s Community Award, at NSU’s annual Celebration of Excellence on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m.  The President’s Community Award is bestowed annually to individuals whose leadership and support provides the foundation for continued growth of the university.

Thomas and her late husband Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s International, established the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in 1992 to increase adoptions of children waiting in foster care systems throughout North America. Dave and Lorraine Thomas were also benefactors of the Children’s Home Society of Florida and helped build a temporary home for children in Ft. Lauderdale. The I. Lorraine Thomas Emergency Home serves as a Children Home Society’s emergency shelter for children removed from their home as a result of abuse and neglect.

A resident of Broward County for more than 25 years, Lorraine Thomas has also been a longtime supporter of Nova Southeastern University. She received the Humanitarian of the Year award from NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies in 2002. In 2003, she gave a gift of $500,000 to NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship and lent her name to the R. David Thomas and I. Lorraine Thomas Dean’s Office Suite in the Carl DeSantis Building, which is home to the Huizenga School.

Thomas has also benefited NSU students through the Lorraine Thomas Endowed Scholarship at the Center for Psychological Studies and the Lorraine Thomas Business Student Scholarship. She is also a supporter of the Huizenga School’s Rock ‘n’ Roll night, which has raised more than $425,000 for undergraduate business scholarships over the last four years.

NSU’s Celebration of Excellence is a premier event held at Davie’s Signature Grand. Each year, the awards presentation brings together community leaders and industry pioneers who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities.

Individual seats may be reserved for $75 and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 954-262-2110.

NSU will also present the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Awards to graduates of the university’s schools, colleges and centers. Honorees are:

• Jeffrey Albert, D.M.D., 2004 (College of Dental Medicine)
• Somy Ali, B.S., 2002 (Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences)
• Matt Dane Baker, D.H.Sc., 2007 (College of Allied Health & Nursing)
• Nikolas Camejo, M.S., 1984 (Oceanographic Center)
• Mary Charbonneau, O.D., 1999 (College of Optometry)
• Joan M. Cook, Ph.D., 1999 (Center for Psychological Studies)
• Dr. Tyler Cymet, D.O., 1988 (College of Osteopathic Medicine)
• Gaby Esteves (Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale)
• Maria Jose Fletcher, J.D., 1998 (Shepard Broad Law Center)
• Seth Gabel (University School)
• Josh Gad (University School)
• Tyon Hall, M.S., 2004 (Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Bonnie Hathcock, M.B.A., 1989 (H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship)
• Johnathan Kabot (Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies)
• Michael Kaplan, Pharm.D., 1999 (College of Pharmacy)
• Frederick Moxley, Ph.D, 1997 (Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences)
• Tony Zeiss, Ed.D. 1979 (Fischler School of Education and Human Services)

Media Contact:
Alan Hancock, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 Office, hancocka@nova.edu