FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Nova Southeastern University (NSU) hosted its annual Veterans Day Celebration at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Armed Forces Service Plaza on Foreman Field on the university’s Davie Campus.
The event brought together veterans, military-connected students, families, and the NSU community to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s armed forces.
This year’s keynote speaker was retired Lieutenant General Nadja Y. West, the 44th Surgeon General of the United States Army and the first African American woman to serve in that role. A trailblazer in military medicine, Lt. Gen. West is also the highest-ranking woman graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Lt. Gen. West spoke about her career, drawing on her more than 20 years of experience in which she came to recognize the qualities of a great leader and implemented them in her leadership roles.
Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West
“At NSU, we are deeply committed to serving those who have served our country,” said NSU President and CEO Dr. Harry Moon. “This event is more than a tradition—it’s a reflection of our values. We honor our veterans not only with words, but with action, through academic support, healthcare access, and community engagement. Our mission is to lead with purpose and serve with heart.”
The event also highlighted NSU’s robust support for veterans through its Military Affairs Academic Programs, which provide tailored academic pathways, tuition discounts, and veteran adviser support across disciplines such as business, law, computing, education, and healthcare. One of the featured programs is NSU’s Military to Medicine Program, which supports military medics, corpsmen, healthcare professionals, and veterans or service members who aspire to enter the medical or healthcare field.
With more than 1,000 military-connected students—including active duty, veterans, reservists, and their families—NSU fosters a community rooted in service, leadership, and support. The university’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program ensures eligible service members can pursue a world-class education without incurring debt. NSU also prepares future leaders through its ROTC program and military medical training tracks, equipping students to serve as doctors, dentists, optometrists, and mental health professionals.
NSU’s commitment to veterans was recently reinforced by a $6 million appropriation from the State of Florida to fund NSU’s Veterans Care Program healthcare initiative, which has provided nearly 100,000 patient encounters since its inception in 2019. The funding will support dental, vision, hearing, and mental health services for veterans and their families at little to no cost and will expand services in the coming year.
For more information about NSU’s veterans services and programs, visit NSU Military Affairs.
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Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is the largest private research university in Florida and a top employer in the state, with more than $5 billion in projected economic impact. NSU is classified as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Foundation among universities with the highest level of research activity. Visit www.nova.edu for more information.
