Broadcast video coverage of Sept. 27 Grand Opening of NSU Oceanographic Center’s Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research

Nova Southeastern University hosted a grand opening ceremony for America’s largest coral reef research center on Sept. 27, 2012.

NSU scientists are conducting reef research locally, nationally and globally at the 86,000-square-foot Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research. The facility is located at NSU’s Oceanographic Center at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park.

At a price-tag of $50 million, the Center has created 22 new academic jobs and 300 construction jobs; and it will employ 50 graduate students as well as preserving 22 existing academic jobs. NSU received a $15 million competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce (using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) to build the center, while the university funded the rest of the project.

“By opening this state-of-the-art facility, NSU is taking a leadership role in Florida’s marine science research and helping boost an important multibillion dollar coral industry that employs thousands of South Floridians and sustains many small businesses,” NSU President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D. said. “The center is critical for the environmental sustainability of coral reefs, which are the life blood of our region and oceans.”

Radio and television coverage of the opening included:

WFLA-AM Radio (Tampa Bay with Jack and Ted)
September 28 7:16 A.M.

WFLX-FOX Channel 29 Treasure Coast
September 27 4:24 P.M.

WFOR-CBS Channel 4 Miami (Initial)
September 27 6:11 P.M.

WFOR-CBS Channel 4 Miami (Additional)
September 27 11:22 P.M.

WINK-CBS Channel 11 Fort Meyers
September 27 10:00 A.M.

WPLG-ABC Channel 10 Miami (Initial)
September 27 6:15 P.M.

WPLG-ABC Channel 10 Miami (Additional)
September 30 6:25 A.M.

WPTV-NBC Channel 5 Palm Beach (Initial)
September 27 6:15 P.M.

WPTV-NBC Channel 5 Palm Beach (Additional)
September 28 3:46 A.M.

WSFL-CW Channel 39 South Florida
September 27 7:39 A.M.

WSVN-FOX Channel 7 Miami
September 27 6:49 P.M.