George L. Hanbury II Installed as Nova Southeastern University’s 6th President

(Photo caption: President George L. Hanbury II accepts the Mace from Ronald G. Assaf, chair, NSU Board of Trustees.)

The entire NSU community came together and witnessed the Investiture Ceremony of George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., as Nova Southeastern University’s 6th President on Thursday, April 21. Hanbury, who formerly served as NSU’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, was officially installed by NSU’s Board of Trustees, represented by Mr. Ron Assaf, chair.

“I am honored and humbled by the position and responsibility NSU’s Board of Trustees has entrusted me to lead this great university,” Hanbury said. Hanbury was elected by the board of trustees to be NSU’s 6th President and COO on Jan. 1, 2010. On July 1, 2011, his title will officially change to President and Chief Executive Officer. “George Hanbury has the vision to take Nova Southeastern University to the next level of academic excellence,” said Ron Assaf, chairman of NSU’s Board of Trustees.

Hanbury has been the university’s senior operating executive since joining NSU in 1998. Prior to that, he served as city manager and chief executive officer for the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, Virginia, and as an assistant city manager for the cities of Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia.

“George Hanbury has been a proven leader at NSU for more than a decade,” said Chancellor Ray Ferrero Jr., J.D., who served as NSU’s 5th president from 1998 to 2010. “I am confident he will help NSU continue its successes in providing high quality education, conducting groundbreaking research, and serving as vital partner with the community.”

Hanbury said, “I credit Ray Ferrero Jr., for his leadership and guidance over the last 13 years that has helped NSU achieve educational preeminence. He has been my mentor and friend and he allowed me to be his protégé.”

Hanbury holds a B.S. in business and public administration from Virginia Tech, an M.S. in public administration from Old Dominion University in Virginia, and a Ph.D. in public administration from Florida Atlantic University.

He has been recognized for his leadership by numerous organizations that devote their efforts to the improvement of humankind’s quality of life. He was the recipient and honoree of the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He has also been recently recognized by the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk Trust, the Leadership Broward Foundation, Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, and the American Diabetes Association, among others. Hanbury currently serves on the boards of the Florida Lambda Rail, the Broward County Library Foundation, and the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. He is a founding member of the Broward Partnership for the Homeless.

The investiture ceremony was held at the Don Taft University Center on NSU’s main campus. Read/Download the President’s Investiture Speech.