FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.– Established to provide support for student-athletes who have completed their athletic eligibility but have not completed their degrees, Nova Southeastern athletics is proud to announce Makenna Drabick, Nick Smith and Emily Sippel as the 2022 recipients of the Chancellor Ray Ferrero, Jr. NSU Athletic Degree Completion Endowed Scholarship Fund.
“The importance of endowment scholarships is the backbone to any institution and athletic program, but the Ray Ferrero Degree completion scholarship is extraordinary,” said Nova Southeastern Athletic Director and Associate Vice President for Advancement, Michael Mominey. “To have the ability to ensure student-athletes within our program that they will have the opportunity to complete their degree, is certainly honorable and righteous. This establishment of such a scholarship is unprecedented thanks to the generosity of Chancellor Ferrero and our donors who support this fund.”
Makenna transferred to Nova Southeastern prior to the 2019-20 women’s basketball season and became an immediate fixture in the Sharks lineup. As a sophomore, Drabick earned SSC Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll recognition in 2020. Drabick also serves as a Student-Athlete Advisory Club representative for the women’s basketball program and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.
“I am honored to be the recipient of the Ray Ferrero Scholarship, and I am extremely thankful to Nova Southeastern Athletics for allowing me the chance to continue my academic pursuits,” stated Drabick. “I have been very blessed to be awarded this scholarship and I am fortunate to have been surrounded by amazing coaches, friends, and teammate at NSU. The Ray Ferrero scholarship affords me the opportunity to finish my degree in Human Nutrition and pursue my dreams of starting a nutrition business in my hometown.”
Smith has been a main contributor for the Sharks since the start of his collegiate career, proving himself invaluable to one of the best program’s in NCAA Division II. Smith led the Sharks to the program’s first Sunshine State Conference crown and second NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2021-22.
“Receiving the Ray Ferrero scholarship is an honor and another example of the Nova Southeastern Sharks Athletics Family,” added Smith. “This opportunity allows me to continue my academics and finish my degree while jumpstarting my coaching career. I am extremely excited to continue being a Shark!”
Sippel, a member of the Sharks Volleyball program, appeared in 16 matches during the 2021 season. Nova Southeastern and Sippel qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009, advancing to the second round.
Chancellor Ferrero served as NSU’s fifth president from January of 1998 through December of 2009 before being named chancellor in January of 2010. He initially served as NSU’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1984-90. Ferrero’s efforts helped aid with the merger between Nova University of Advanced Technology and Southeastern University of the Health Sciences, laying the foundation for the largest independent university in the southeast and the seventh-largest in the country.
During his 12-year presidency, Ferrero presided over the athletic department as it was granted full membership into NCAA Division II and was simultaneously accepted into the Sunshine State Conference. He also oversaw a transformation of NSU’s main campus, including the construction of the Don Taft University Center – home to the Sharks’ volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball teams – the NSU Soccer Complex, NSU Aquatic Center, a student-athlete academic services center and a private workout facility for student-athletes.
NSU is an NCAA Division II institution in the Sunshine State Conference, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Sharks currently boast eight team national championships, 27 individual national champions, along with 20 consecutive years in which their student-athletes have achieved a department-wide GPA of above a 3.0. To stay-up-to-date with the Sharks, visit NSUSharks.com or follow them on Instagram and Twitter at @NSUSharks.
