Division of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies (DAIS) Hosts Inaugural AcademicFest

(photo caption) Seated: Meg Malmberg, Ph.D., associate provost, Division of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies. Standing L to R: Honggang Yang, Ph.D., dean and professor of the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Tommie V. Boyd, Ph.D. chair, Department of Family Therapy and associate professor, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Roni Leiderman, Ph.D., dean of the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies; Kimberly Durham, Psy. D., executive dean for Administration and Human Services; Tammy Kushner, Psy.D., executive associate dean, Criminal Justice Institute; Susanne Marshall, Ph.D., senior associate dean, Division of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies; and John E. Lewis, Ph.D., acting dean and professor of the Center for Psychological Studies.

More than 500 members of NSU’s faculty and staff participated in the university’s first AcademicFest on Oct 29 at the Mailman Segal Institute. Hosted by the Division of Applied Interdisciplinary Studies (DAIS), attendees enjoyed a complimentary lunch and live music, chatted with colleagues and most importantly, increased their NSU IQ!

The concept of the AcademicFest originated from the university’s Communications Task Force, feedback from the Gallup Surveys, and the Chancellor’s Town Hall meetings. Results from each revealed that NSU’s faculty and staff desired to learn more about centers within the university.

DAIS, a newly formed division which includes the Center for Psychological Studies, Criminal Justice Institute, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Human Services Unit, and the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies, presented an outstanding array of poster presentations, research efforts, and community outreach programs from each center.

Division leaders Meg Malmberg, Ph.D., associate provost; Honggang Yang, Ph.D., dean and professor of the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Tammy Kushner, Psy.D., executive associate dean of the Criminal Justice Institute; Roni Leiderman, Ph.D., dean of the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies; Kimberly Durham, Psy. D., executive dean for Administration and Human Services; and John E. Lewis, Ph.D., acting dean and professor of the Center for Psychological Studies, were all on hand to further discuss their programs, collaborative efforts, and services offered within each of their units.

Student clubs and organizations from DAIS also participated in AcademicFest by highlighting their significant annual activities, missions, and goals.

In addition to the academic presentations, attendees were treated to lunch and opportunities to register for raffle prizes (winners listed below) by visiting each academic center. Lunch and prizes were provided by Frank DePiano, Ph.D., university provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Providing a well rounded ending to a fantastic afternoon, guests were treated to the sounds of live music performed by a group of distinguished and very talented faculty members and graduate students. Alternately called the Bag of Cats, or the Men of LaMancha, band members are: Phil Martin (CPS graduate student) – guitar;  Ryan Boddy (Graduate Student) – drums; Jim Hibel, Ph.D., (SHSS faculty) – bass guitar; trumpet players Vince Van Hasselt, Ph.D. (CPS  faculty) and Bill Dorfman, Ph.D., ABPP (CPS faculty); David Reitman, Ph.D. (CPS faculty) – vocals and rhythm guitar; and Barry Nierenberg, Ph.D., ABPP (CPS faculty) – sax and vocals.

Constituents from every NSU center registered and visited the DAIS AcademicFest. Other schools, colleges and centers will have the opportunity to host Academic Fest in the near future.

Increasing your NSU IQ will only build our knowledge and the pride that comes from being part of a great institution.

AcademicFest Raffle

DePiano’s office will provide raffle prizes at each of the upcoming AcademicFests, as well as several grand prizes for those attending all of the AcademicFests.

Raffle prizes include:

One Annual Family/Dual Membership to the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale

One Round of Golf for Two at Grande Oaks Golf Club

Lunch or Dinner for two at the Faculty/Shark Club

Those attending all AcademicFests may qualify for the following:

Color Printer

Sprint Bluetooth

Grand Prize:

American Airlines round-trip for two.

Congratulations to AcademicFest Raffle Winners:

Nathalie Garbani (Health Professions Division) – One Annual Family/Dual Membership to the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale

Walter Katz (Fischler School of Education and Human Services) – One Round of Golf for Two at Grande Oaks Golf Club

Barbara Berner (Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences) – Lunch or Dinner for two at the Faculty/Shark Club.

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