FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University Athletic Department and NSU President Dr. George L. Hanbury II hosted the annual academic luncheon to recognize those student-athletes who are excelling in the classroom.
 
Eighty-six student-athletes, 31 of which earned a perfect 4.0, were honored at Grande Oaks for achieving a grade point average of 3.8 or higher in either of the previous two semesters. Additional attendees included luncheon emcee and NSU faculty athletic representative Dr. Steve Russo, Dr. Hanbury, numerous college deans and faculty, team coaches and those individuals who have helped the student-athletes achieve academic success.
 
"All in all it's a celebration and a thank you to our student-athletes and the work they do in the classroom," said Russo. "The demands they have on the sports side and the demands they have on the academic side and the ability to balance both. It's a special individual that can balance those two things and do it well. These are the people that are here."
 
Women's tennis' Linda Kornienko (Sr., Fort Myers, Fla) and men's soccer player Stefano Fanfoni (Sr., Cremona, Italy) spoke to the group about their academic experiences here and the importance of being successful in the classroom.
 
"Academics is the whole reason that we are here (at NSU)," Kornienko. "I believe that academics always have to come first and then athletics. That's our futures, our careers and what we are striving for."
 
"This event is so incredible," continued Kornienko. "Things like this luncheon honestly do mean a lot. It lets you know that your efforts aren't going unrecognized and they appreciate everything that we do and how hard we work."
 
Graduate student and member of the men's cross country and track teams Christian Oppel (Sr., Lautertal, Germany) echoed Kornienko's sentiments. "It's important to do well in the classroom and be professional in your sports. You can then easily transfer those skills within your sport and translate them to the economic environment or where you work later in life. For me to be recognized for this is very motivating. It makes you want to broaden your horizons even more and work harder."

See below for images from the event.