On Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship’s new Trading Floor, students learn from the experts how to successfully manage a fund.
“The gift that Jerry and Nancy so generously made that allowed us to build this Trading Floor will lead to our students learning side by side with people from the profession, experts in their fields on how to make investments and how to do the research, and how to present the research so that our students when they graduate, will have a leg up on students at other universities.”
— Andrew Rosman, Ph.D., Dean
Philanthropists Taylor and Bryant
When Jerry Taylor and Nancy Bryant relocated from Washington, D.C., to Fort Lauderdale, they wanted to make an impact, much as they had done in the nation’s capital. There, they were involved with the Kennedy Center, the National Mall, and various community services and educational organizations. Since they arrived in Florida, NSU and Broward County have benefited from their presence.
“Jerry has always been looking for opportunities to help young entrepreneurs.”
— Nancy Bryant
Jerry and Nancy established the Jerry Taylor and Nancy Bryant Foundation in 1999 when Jerry retired as CEO of MCI Communications Corporation. Jerry’s interest in supporting entrepreneurship comes from his experience of over 30 years in founding and growing MCI into the largest provider of Internet—from a fledgling start-up to a $30 billion global entity. As Executive Vice President of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, Nancy oversaw an ambitious marketing campaign to raise the Society’s recognition among corporate America, resulting in the highest number of membership applications in the organization’s history.
Married philanthropists, the couple has focused their giving on higher education, community services, and the arts. Nancy explained, “We want all our grants to have a lasting impact.” With donations locally to the Broward Performing Arts Center, the Community Foundation of Broward, and the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Jerry wanted to find a way to support something more technical and business-oriented.
The Jerry Taylor and Nancy Bryant Trading Floor Unveiling Ceremony
On May 17, 2024, Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship celebrated the opening of the Jerry Taylor and Nancy Bryant Trading Floor. With Jerry and Nancy in attendance, President Hanbury and Dean Rosman thanked them for their generosity and showcased the facility to attendees.
Housed on the second floor of the Carl DeSantis Building, the Trading Floor supports students’ work with the Student-Managed Investment Fund. The Floor features a conference room for meetings to discuss the current market conditions, portfolio positions, and new potential portfolio investments as they relate to the success of the Student-Managed Investment Fund; a classroom/lab with 30 student stations (each with a computer and two monitors), where students conduct market research, prepare presentations for the Trading Floor advisory board, work on assignments, and attend online lectures; and a streaming real-time LED stock ticker to keep students abreast of the ever-changing financial markets.
“Students will get a chance to develop critical thinking skills and put into practice the theories they learn in the classroom.”
— HCBE Associate Professor of Finance Antonio Figueiredo, Ph.D.
The Jerry Taylor and Nancy Bryant Trading Floor is made possible by a $5-million donation by its namesakes. Half of the donation was used for construction. The balance funds an endowment to support student activities related to the Student-Managed Investment Fund and investment classes. In 2022, Nancy and Jerry were inducted into the NSU Fellows Society Sharks Circle, which honors those whose cumulative giving to the university has reached $1 million or more.
Watch the video about the Trading Floor
Photos from Left: Jerry Taylor surveys the construction; Nancy Bryant on the floor to see the construction progress; Nancy Bryant makes remarks at the Celebration; Dean Rosman speaking at the Unveiling Event; Students applaud Jerry and Nancy; A Trading Floor Advisory Board meeting.
