NSU to Honor Dan and Claire Marino with President’s Community Award at Celebration of Excellence

Fort Lauderdale – Davie, Fla. –Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will award Dan and Claire Marino with the university’s highest honor, the President’s Community Award, at NSU’s annual Celebration of Excellence on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. The President’s Community Award is bestowed annually to individuals whose leadership and support provides the foundation for continued growth of the university.

As parents of a child with autism, Dan Marino, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins, and his wife, Claire, created the Dan Marino Foundation in 1992 to support medical research, treatment, and outreach programs for children with chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities. The Foundation has raised more than $22 million dollars to assist these programs, including the University of Miami/Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

Claire and Dan Marino were instrumental in the growth of the Baudhuin Preschool at NSU’s Mailman Segal Institute, an internationally recognized model program for children with autism spectrum disorder. Claire served as Honorary Chairperson for the National Alliance for Autism Research’s Walkathons and worked within the local and state autism communities to help establish the Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities.

In 1998, the Marinos, along with Miami Children’s Hospital, built the Dan Marino Center in Weston, which provides care and treatment for children with developmental disabilities, autism, and chronic medical problems. In 2006, the Marinos introduced the Marino Autism Research Institute, which is designed to sponsor cross-university collaborative research in understanding, treating, and preventing autism. The Broward County Walk Now for Autism is held annually on the NSU campus.

NSU’s Celebration of Excellence is a premier event held at Davie’s Signature Grand. Each year, the awards presentation brings together community leaders and industry pioneers who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities.

Individual seats may be reserved for $75 and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 954-262-2102.

NSU will also present the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards to graduates of the university’s schools, colleges and centers. Honorees are:

• Dr. David Ahern, PHD SP, 1981 (Center for Psychological Studies)
• Dr. Majdi Ashchi, DO OST, 1989 (College of Osteopathic Medicine)
• Dr. Nilda Banchs-Sandoval, DR RXD, 2001 (College of Pharmacy)
• Dr. Wendy Stav, PHD OT, 2002 (College of Allied Health & Nursing)
• Dr. Mark Marciano, DR OPT, 1998 (College of Optometry)
• Dr. Carrie Giordano, DO OST, 2001 (Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences)
• Drs. Tamara and DaJuane Lateef Anderson, EDD OL, 2006 (Fischler School of Education and Human Services)
• Dr. Carol Woody, PHD CS, 2004 (Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences)
• Dr. Gregory Vecchi, PHD SS, 2007 (Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Stephen McGill, MBA, 2000 (H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship)
• Ms. Pamela James (Mailman Segal Institute)
• Honorable Catalina Avalos, JD, 1996 (Shepard Broad Law Center)
• Dawn-Marie Boyer, MS OCN 2001 (Oceanographic Center)
• Captain Jesus Raimundi, Class of 1998 (University School)
• Dr. Reza Ardalan, DR DMD, 2002 (College of Dental Medicine)

Media Contact:
Alan Hancock, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5385, hancocka@nova.edu