Joe Millsaps Honored Posthumously for his Service to NSU

The late Joe Millsaps

The 2011 Humanitarian of the Year Awards celebrated the life and legacy of Joe Millsaps, an NSU trustee and chair of the Advisory Board for NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies, who passed away last year. Held at the Westin Beach Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale, the reception was attended by several hundred guests including Millsaps’ brother Kenny and Joe’s daughters Mary, Debby, April and their families.

Millsaps was instrumental in developing the Humanitarian of the Year Awards, which over the years raised more than $100,000 in student scholarship funds. During the reception, Chancellor Ray Ferrero, Jr., J.D., announced the establishment of the Joe Millsaps Endowed Scholarship Fund which will benefit NSU doctoral students, especially those who are active or retired members of the military, or work with veterans. Millsaps was well known for his support of the military community, having served in the U.S. Army as a commissioned lieutenant in the infantry. As founder and CEO of Broward Navy Days, the organization was responsible for and organized the annual Fleet Week celebration which continues to bring sailors and naval ships to Fort Lauderdale every spring.

Special guest speaker, Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District headquartered in Miami, presented the family with special commemorative plaques on behalf of the Coast Guard.

Ferrero referred to Millsaps as the “quintessential Humanitarian,” a “supporter of the community, our university, and of the U.S. military.” Millsaps’ commitment to supporting the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard are an important part of his legacy. In tribute, a Coast Guard flyover took place at dusk.