NSU Education Provost Joins Ranks of Past U.S. Presidents by Receiving Principal Association’s Highest Honor

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) H. Wells Singleton, Ph.D., recently joined the ranks of past United States Presidents George Bush, Sr. and Bill Clinton when he was awarded the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ (NAESP) top honor.

H. Wells Singleton, Ph.D., Education Provost and University Dean at NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services

NAESP presented Singleton, the Education Provost and University Dean at NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services, with the prestigious Honorary National Distinguished Principal award.

Singleton is one of only eight distinguished educators to receive this award since the organization’s inception more than 40 years ago. He joins notable past recipients, including: President George Bush, Sr.; President Bill Clinton; Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander; and Secretary of Education Richard Riley.

During the NAESP awards banquet, held in Washington D.C., on Oct. 15, 2010, Singleton was honored amid a crowd of 200 where he delivered the final words of the evening in a speech entitled “Celebrating Children.”

“Children come to their schools following the beacon of hope that emanates from the school house,” Singleton said. “When they cross that threshold, they reach a sanctuary of security.”

He also said that he will, “not only cherish this award, but all of the work that NAESP does to foster education for children.”

Singleton was selected by NAESP’s Board of Directors from thousands of potential applicants from Pre-K through 12 public and private schools, Department of Defense schools, and Department of State schools. Nominees were evaluated based on a “significant contribution to the field of education,” as described by Ernie Mannino, executive director of NAESP.

NAESP’s selection for the Honorary National Distinguished Principal is rigorous. States receive application packets vetted by NAESP’s State Boards of Directors and affiliates. From this extensive pool of qualified applicants, the Board selects a single National Distinguished Principal and recognizes 62 National Distinguished Guests. NAESP has more than 30,000 members.

For more information about NAESP, please visit www.naesp.org.

About H. Wells Singleton: Singleton is Education Provost and University Dean of the Fischler School of Education at Nova Southeastern University. In this capacity, he presides over the largest school of education in the United States with more than 400 employees and 15,000 education students. Located in North Miami Beach, Florida the Fischler School grants undergraduate degrees with 6 majors, master’s and educational specialist degrees in more than 50 disciplines and doctoral degrees in 10 concentrations. Singleton, his team of administrators, and faculty sponsor more than 200 educational initiatives at any one time, while maintaining public and private partnerships with more than a dozen enterprises. Singleton received his B.A. from the University of Wyoming, his M.A. from Southern Methodist University, and his Ph.D. from Stanford University. He has written, lectured, and conducted research in various aspects of technology and educating children. His career has been devoted to education, and he has been involved in major grants and other initiatives associated with technology and classroom environments.

About Fischler School of Education and Human Services at NSU: Serving more than 15,000 students in approximately 40 countries, Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services is one of the largest schools of education at an accredited university in the United States. When we opened our doors more than 35 years ago, we shattered the barriers of traditional learning, causing a ripple effect that can still be felt today. Online, on-site, or on our modern, 18-acre campus in North Miami Beach, Florida, our ideas, our approach, and our programs—found nowhere else in the nation—inspire our students to inspire the people around them to move the world.

Media Contact:
Andra Liwag, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 (office), 954-873-8494 (cell), andrali@nova.edu