Warren J. Winstead
{{short description|American academic (1927-2001)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Dr. Warren J. Winstead
| image =
| caption =
| order =
| title = President of
Nova Southeastern University
| term_start = 1964
| term_end = 1970
| predecessor =
| successor = Abraham S. Fischler
| birth_date = November 10, 1927
| birth_place = Virginia
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2001|12|3|1927|11|10}}
| death_place = Callao, Virginia
| alma_mater = BS, MS University of Richmond
Ph.D. Harvard University
| residence =
| profession = President & Professor
| religion =
| spouse = Elizabeth Winstead
| children = Warren J. Winstead, Jr.
Wendy Winstead
Mellie Winstead
Major Scott Winstead
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Warren J. Winstead (November 10, 1927 – December 3, 2001) was an American academic administrator and educator. He was the first president of Nova Southeastern University, then known as Nova University of Advanced Technology. His leadership played a critical role in shaping the university’s early direction, particularly in its emphasis on graduate-level education and interdisciplinary learning.{{Cite magazine |last=Time |title=Making the Grade |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209220616/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,837055,00.html?iid=chix-sphere |magazine=Time |date=December 9, 1966 |access-date=May 20, 2025}}
Early life and education
Winstead was born on November 10, 1927. He received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees from the University of Richmond.{{Cite web |title=Warren Winstead, First President of what was incorporated as Nova University |url=https://nsuworks.nova.edu/nsudigital_presphotos/5/ |website=NSUWorks |publisher=Nova Southeastern University |access-date=May 20, 2025}} He later earned a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Harvard University.
Career
Before assuming the presidency at Nova, Winstead held administrative roles in higher education. In 1964, he was appointed the founding president of Nova University (now Nova Southeastern University), a graduate-level institution focused on science and technology. He played a key role in developing the university’s original academic framework and guiding its early mission.{{Cite web |title=Presidential Timeline – Nova Southeastern University |url=https://nsuworks.nova.edu/nsudigital_presphotos/ |publisher=Nova Southeastern University |access-date=May 20, 2025}} His tenure ended in 1970 when he was succeeded by Abraham S. Fischler, an advocate for distance education.{{Cite news |title=Nova's Early Visionaries |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=March 5, 2000 |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2000-03-05-0003040293-story.html |access-date=May 20, 2025}}
Legacy
Warren Winstead’s tenure marked the foundational years of Nova University. Under his leadership, the institution gained recognition for its innovation in graduate and interdisciplinary education. His vision helped position the university as a forward-thinking educational model in the state of Florida.{{Cite book |last=Fischler |first=A.S. |title=The History of Nova University |year=1985 |publisher=Nova University Press |pages=15–17}}
Death
He died on December 3, 2001, at the age of 74.{{Cite web |title=Warren J. Winstead Obituary |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/warren-winstead-obituary?id=27325671 |website=Legacy.com |access-date=May 20, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Nova Southeastern University presidents}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Winstead, Warren J.}}
Category:Harvard Graduate School of Education alumni
Category:Presidents of Nova Southeastern University