NSU Presents the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards at the Annual Celebration of Excellence

During the University’s Celebration of Excellence, the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards were presented to graduates of the university’s schools, colleges and centers. To view photos, visit www.facebook.com/nsualumni.

Honorees were:

David Barclay, J.D., 1990 (Shepard Broad Law Center)
As principal for B4 Capital, L.L.C. , Barclay serves his clients through his areas of expertise, which include merger; acquisitions and joint ventures; regulatory compliance; restructuring and bankruptcy; corporate governance; public and private financing; and debt and equity offerings.

Deborah Brown, Pharm. D., 2000 (College of Pharmacy)
For her work as director of Pharmacy Services and Pharmacy Consultant for Cardinal Healthcare, Brown was the recipient of the 2010 Pharmacist of the Year award given by the Florida Society of Hospital Pharmacists. Brown also has acted as a mentor for NSU’s College of Pharmacy students.

Kenneth Boyle, O.D., 1994 (College of Optometry)
Now in private practice, Boyle also serves as President-elect of the Florida Optometric Association; is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and is past President of the Brevard Optometric Association.

George Fulk, Ph.D., 2005 (College of Allied Health and Nursing)
Published in numerous academic and scientific publications, Fulk is primary investigator of a National Institute of Health grant and has received funding from the New York Physical Therapy Association for stroke research.

Catherine Grus, Ph.D., 1993 (Center for Psychological Studies)
As deputy executive director for the American Psychological Association, Grus provides leadership for the group’s activities, programs, and initiatives related to professional education and training. In 2010, Grus received the Friend of the Association of Directors of Psychology Training Clinics award.

Anil Idiculla, D.M.D., 2004 (College of Dental Medicine)
Practicing in the Denver area since graduation, Idiculla serves on the board of directors for Kids in Need of Dentistry, providing treatment to underserved patients. He is also a clinical instructor at the University of Colorado Health Science Center, Department of Orthodontics.

Tina Jaeckle, M.S., 2004 (Criminal Justice Institute)
As a licensed clinical social worker in Florida with nearly 18 years of mental health experience, Jaeckle is an assistant professor in the social and behavioral sciences at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., and an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University.

Jacqueline Kraveka, D.O., 1994 (College of Osteopathic Medicine)
Kraveka is an assistant professor in pediatrics in the division of hematology-oncology at the Medical University of South Carolina where her clinical practice focuses on pediatric oncology and pediatric stem cell transplantation. Kraveka has the only research laboratory in the state dedicated to pediatric cancer.

Bryce Lucas (Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies)
A graduate of the Mailman Segal Institute, Lucas is a young adult with self-identified Asperger’s Syndrome. He is currently enrolled at Broward College, with hopes to attend NSU. Bryce showed an early passion for performing arts and has appeared and directed school and regional theater productions.

Erik Neugaard, M.S., 2003 (Oceanographic Center)
Neugaard is the South Florida Environmental and Planning Leader at Reynolds, Smith & Hills (RSH), a leading facilities and infrastructure consulting firm in the U.S. He is responsible for all environmental and planning projects in South Florida. Neugaard’s efforts earned him the Outstanding Performance and Contribution Award from the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management. He also is president of the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals.

Sunil Patel, B.S., 2002 (Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences)
Sunil is currently in his fellowship in Nephrology and Hypertension at Kansas University Medical Center. Sunil is a Goldwater Scholar and has been published in research journals in applied science.

Jodi Aronson Prohofsky, Ph.D. 1992 (Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences)
As Senior Vice President of Health Management Operations at CIGNA, the global health services company, Prohofsky is oversees daily operations for disease management, behavioral health, employee assistance programs, lifestyle management programs, and the 24-hour health information line, among others.

Grace Strattan, 2010 (Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University)
While at the Museum’s Studio School, Strattan discovered her talent in art. The Museum has been a major factor in her decision to major in studio art, and she is currently seeking a BFA from the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she received the USF Scholars’ Award Scholarship.

Robert Urwiler, Ph.D., 1997 (Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences)
Urwiler currently serves as the Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Vail Resorts Management Company. In 2009, under his leadership, Vail Resorts was the recipient of CIO magazine’s CIO 100 award because of its innovations to improve the skier experience.

Kenneth Whitmore, M.S., 1982 (Fischler School of Education and Human Services)
Combining an entrepreneurial mindset with military contract experience, Whitmore partnered with his wife, Lynne, to found Coalescent Technologies, a professional engineering firm headquartered in Orlando. Kenneth Whitmore also is founder and CEO of Windsor Continental Corporation, a $24-million Federal Defense Simulation and Virtual Reality firm. In 2002, he founded a virtual reality lab in Orlando, producing Virtual Battlefield Systems, the nationally syndicated program used throughout the U.S. Military.

Brenda Yester, M.B.A., 1995 (Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship)
Yester oversees Carnival Cruise Lines’ revenue management functions, including pricing and inventory as senior vice president of revenue management. She also serves on Carnival’s executive committee, providing guidance and oversight regarding all aspects of the company.

Michael Zager, 1987 (University School)
Zager is the managing partner of Emerald Planning, a boutique financial services firm that assists individuals and businesses nationally with insurance planning, estate analysis, retirement, charitable giving, business insurance, and employee benefits. Zager has received numerous industry awards by some of the largest insurance and financial service companies.

NSU’s Celebration of Excellence is a premier event held annually in Davie at the Signature Grand. Since 1997, the annual awards presentation brings together community leaders, industry pioneers, faculty, staff and alumni who have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to their professions and communities.