Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has announced a $20 million gift from David Husman, founder and chair of Heartland Real Estate Partners, in support of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research.

The gift, which boosts Husman’s total support of NSU to more than $41 million, is the second-largest individual donation in the university’s history and the largest investment in its research programs. Made in honor of Husman’s late wife, Cathy, who died of ALS in 2023, the gift will establish a neuroscience institute, an ALS center, and an endowed chair in neuroscience all to be named for Husman and his late wife, Cathy, who died of ALS in 2023.

“In my estimation, the most devastating and horrible disease is ALS,” said David Husman. “The motivation behind my gift is to try and rid the world of one of the worst plagues that affects mankind.”

“What makes a gift of this size so transformational is its impact across all aspects of our mission to advance education, research, and patient care,” said NSU president and CEO Harry K. Moon. “First and foremost, this funding will improve treatments, foster breakthroughs, and elevate the quality of life for ALS patients and families. It also will help us attract and sustain talented healthcare providers and innovators here in Florida, allowing us to better educate future caregivers in the ALS arena as we make our patient care facilities some of the world’s very best.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/sanjeri)