Five Honorees Receive ‘President’s Excellence in Community Service Award’ at 15th Annual Celebration of Excellence

(Photo caption: Award recipients pose with Executive Vice President/COO Jackie Travisano (3^rd from left) and President George Hanbury (3^rd from left). Honorees from L to R: Walter Upshaw, Brian Kabot (son of Sue Kabot accepting on her behalf), Guy Harvey, Elaine M. Wallace and T. David Long.)

In its fifteenth year, Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) sold out Celebration of Excellence award program drew more than 370 attendees to the Don Taft University Center on Thurs., Jan. 24, 2013. President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D. presented NSU’s newest award, the President’s Excellence in Community Service Award, to five individuals for their commitment to community.

The President’s Excellence in Community Service Award recognizes superior professional engagement activities in the community by alumni, students, faculty, staff, and a member of the South Florida community. The awards encourage the ongoing pursuit of community service and exemplify NSU’s “community” core value.

2013 marked the first year that sponsors were sought for the event, bringing in more than $155,000 in sponsor revenue. In addition, all proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships for NSU students.

This year’s five honorees were selected from 79 total submitted nominations: T. David Long, B.S.; Elaine Wallace, D.O., M.S., M.S., M.S.; Susan Kabot, Ed.D., CCC-SLP; Walter Upshaw; and Guy Harvey, Ph.D., the world-renowned artist, scientist and researcher.

“This award defines what it means to be an outstanding citizen and member of the NSU community,” said George Hanbury, Ph.D. “I can’t think of someone more deserving of the Excellence in Community Service Award than Guy Harvey, a man who tirelessly gives back to this community, and the global community, in so many ways.”

The 2013 honorees are:

Alumni
T. David Long, B.S.
H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship
Nova Southeastern University

Long is the president of Miller Electric Company, one of the largest electrical contractors in the nation, based in Jacksonville, FL. His commitment to community is evident through his dedication to various organizations, having served as president and board member of the National Leukemia Society, and as vice president and executive board member of the Dreams Come True Foundation. He is also a trustee of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and an executive committee member of the Gator Bowl Association.

Community
Guy Harvey, Ph.D.
Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation

Guy Harvey is one of the world’s leading marine biologists, painters and conservationists. Harvey is a unique blend of artist, scientist, diver, angler, conservationist and explorer, fiercely devoted to his family and his love of the sea. Growing up in Jamaica, Guy spent many hours fishing and diving with his father along the Island’s south coast. He was obsessed with the creatures of the sea and began drawing pictures of the many different fish he observed. Guy’s artwork can be found in art exhibits, stores, galleries, restaurants and at fishing tournaments.

A passion for the beauty and wonder of the underwater world has driven Harvey to be a leading conservationist and advocate for the protection of our environment. He dedicates much of his talent, time and resources to programs that protect our oceans, fish population and reef systems. The Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center and The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation have taken on a leadership role in providing the scientific information necessary to understand and protect the world’s fish resources and biodiversity from continued decline.

Faculty
Elaine Wallace, D.O., M.S., M.S., M.S.
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Nova Southeastern University

Wallace is Executive Associate Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at NSU. She has founded and participated in medical missions around the world, and originated NSU’s Medical Outreach trip to Ecuador, which serves 400-2,000 patients each trip. Other countries where she has conducted medical missions include Peru, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Argentina. She is passionate about community service and helped add a community service requirement to NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine since joining faculty.

Staff
Susan Kabot, Ed.D., CCC-SLP
Mailman Segal Center for Human Development
Nova Southeastern University

Kabot is actively involved at the local, state and national levels in improving the lives of individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals that support them. She is the Executive Director of NSU’s Autism Institute. A nationally renowned advocate, Kabot has spent more than 25 years at the university developing and directing programs for individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who serve them. Kabot also leads NSU’s Interdisciplinary Council for the Study of Autism, which brings together more than 40 people from an array of disciplines at NSU, all working towards the same goal of creating a multidisciplinary, collaborative group with expertise in all areas of autism treatment.

Student
Walter Upshaw
H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship
Nova Southeastern University

Upshaw, a student in the M.B.A. Finance Program at NSU, received the “Student of the Year” award in April 2012. He has been the Student Government Association President and involved in the Tampa Bay community through his work with Relay for Life, and the Tampa Bay Black Chamber of Commerce.

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