On March 24, from noon to 3:30 p.m., NSU will host its third annual The Big Thank You, a luncheon for students who have received merit or need-based institutional scholarships to meet and thank their benefactors in person.
President George Hanbury said the main point of the luncheon is for the students and the donors to connect on a personal level.
“The Big Thank You allows attendees to understand the true meaning of giving back,” Hanbury said.
The scholarships celebrated at the Big Thank You luncheon are endowed scholarships with funds donated by benefactors. For example, the money for H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship Scholarship is provided by Huizenga and his wife.
Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship Debbie Meline said the luncheon encourages the donors to continue giving.
“The Big Thank You shows the donors that their contributions don’t go unnoticed,” she said, “It is so important for faculty and staff to thank the people who make it possible for NSU to attract and retain students.”
Hanbury said The Big Thank You is a reflection of his many goals for NSU.
“As president, I aim to raise funds for scholarships of deserving young men and women and the Big Thank You luncheon recognizes and honors this goal,” Hanbury said.
Hanbury said he was very impressed with the success of the past years’ luncheons and hopes the event will continue to grow.
“It is extremely important for both the donor and the recipient to meet and talk about their goals for the future but also the present,” he said.
Around 400 people are expected at the luncheon, including Hanbury, numerous deans, several members of NSU’s Board of Trustees, students and their benefactors.
For a student to receive a scholarship that is recognized at the Big Thank You luncheon, they must apply and meet all criteria set forth by both NSU and the donor. The students’ applications then go through a review process.
Hanbury said, “Each donor looks for a specific characteristic in the student, whether it’s academic, engagement, participation in activities or a specific discipline. The students are selected by NSU, reflective off of the donor’s wishes and criteria.”
Meline said, “These specific scholarships are given to the students who truly put forward their efforts in order to attend NSU.”
Lindsey Goldstein, senior education major, is a recipient of the Razor’s Edge Scholarship and attended the luncheon last year. She said that when she met her benefactors, it was a feeling like no other.
“When I was able to finally put a name to a face, I got an overwhelming feeling of gratitude,” she said, “The Big Thank You is an opportunity for students to realize how lucky they are to receive such incredible scholarships by inspiring people.”
Hanbury said, “The donors make such an impact on the lives of our students; it only makes sense for the students to meet the individuals who are allowing them to attend NSU.”
The event is invitation only. For more information, contact Elaina Ozrovitz, associate director of the Office of Institutional Advancement, at 954-262-2109.
