Wayne Huizenga, Carl DeSantis Named To Nova Southeastern University's Board Of Trustees

Business Wire, Sept 18, 2000

Business & News Editors/City Desk, Local, Education, Real Estate,

Entertainment & Assignment Writers

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available in a Smart News Release(TM) on Business Wire's Home Page at www.businesswire.com

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2000

In a unanimous vote, Carl DeSantis and Wayne Huizenga--South Florida business leaders known throughout the world--have been named to Nova Southeastern University's Board of Trustees, NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr., announced today (Monday).

"As the state of Florida faces great changes in its education system, we are honored to have men of their stature joining our Board of Trustees," said Ferrero. "I believe their decisions to become further involved with the university is a recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit of NSU and the importance that independent institutions play in the overall fabric of Florida's higher education system."

Both DeSantis and Huizenga have been big supporters--and are actively involved--with Nova Southeastern University. Just three months ago, DeSantis was the commencement speaker for NSU's graduation of Business, Psychology, and Computer Science students, and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Commerce. Each has also been inducted into the school's Entrepreneur Hall of Fame (Huizenga in 1992, DeSantis in 1998).

"I am ecstatic that Wayne and Carl have accepted positions on NSU's Board of Trustees," said Randy Pohlman, dean of Nova Southeastern University's Huizenga Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship. "Not only are they world-class businessmen, but they are world-class people."

Huizenga is chairman of a number of companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange including AutoNation, Inc., Extended Stay America, and Boca Resorts, Inc. Huizenga also owns the National Football League's Miami Dolphins, and was chairman and chief executive officer of Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation and president and co-founder of Waste Management, Inc., the world's largest solid waste collection and disposal company.

DeSantis is the founder and former chairman of Rexall Sundown, Inc. One of the area's largest employers, Rexall Sundown is the leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of vitamins, nutritional supplements, and health products sold in more than 60 countries. DeSantis is also president of the DeSantis Collection, a fast-growing company that sells custom-made Italian ties and other quality men's clothing. In addition, DeSantis has major real estate holdings in Palm Beach County, as well as involvement in a number of other business ventures.

Recently, both Huizenga and DeSantis made large contributions to the new Wayne Huizenga Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship building project. In September of 1999, Wayne and his wife Marti Huizenga--through the Huizenga Family Foundation--gave a $4 million cash gift towards building the school's new facility on the university's main campus, while DeSantis pledged $2 million to the business and entrepreneurship program in January 2000.

With a fall term (1999) enrollment of approximately 18,000, Nova Southeastern University is the largest independent institution of higher education in the Southeast, and among the 20 largest private institutions in the nation. The university's 15 academic centers, colleges, and schools specialize in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, optometry, allied health, medical sciences, dental medicine, law, marine, biology, business and entrepreneurship, computer and information sciences, social and systemic studies, education, psychology and counseling, family programs, and undergraduate education. The university's programs are administered through academic centers throughout Florida, in 23 states, and in 10 foreign countries. NSU also has more than 63,000 alumni residing in all 50 states, and in more than 53 other countries.

Note: Photos available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.091800/bb15