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2013 State of the University Address

Good afternoon, and thank you for attending this State of the University address.  It has been my pleasure and privilege to present this report, required by University Council statute, every January since I arrived here in the summer of 1997.  It is a time to reflect on the events of the previous year but, more importantly, focus our gaze on the coming years.

2012 State of the University

The simple truth is this: Georgia's success depends on UGA's success. There is no way around it. We educate Georgia at UGA. We produce the leadership class for this state. We produce the producers, create the creators, energize the innovators, encourage the change agents. We send into the world people equipped for success in what has been variously called the Age of the Mind, the Intellectual Capital Era or, to quote Thomas Friedman, a Flattened World.

2011 State of the University Address

Despite the ongoing challenge of the budget and the economy, 2010 was still a year of some signal accomplishments. I remain proud and humbled by the spirit of the people of this place who have faced these challenges with an attitude of service and commitment, who have done more work than they had in years past and with limited resources, and who have offered ideas and comments that have helped us manage the institution more effectively. I am grateful to each of you for that.

“Our Productive Years Together”—remarks to the Athens Rotary Club

In the past 16 years, the university and this community have worked together on many mutually beneficial projects.  I have been spending a lot of my time lately thinking about relationship s and the simple fact that most good work gets done as a result of good relationships.

Dr. Adams’ retirement announcement

It would be an honor for anyone to be president of the University of Georgia for one day, but I have had the privilege and honor of serving as president of this great university for 15 years, during which time, with tremendous help from the students, faculty, staff and administration, we have accomplished great things. I am very proud of what we have done together and value greatly the professional and personal relationships that we have established.

What does it mean to be a public university?

Good afternoon, and thank you for allowing me to join you today. I have great respect for the work that civic clubs do in their communities. In fact, one of the messages that I’ve been carrying to the state about UGA is the role we play in preparing the next leadership class for Georgia. Clubs like this are the heart of that local leadership mission and I commend you for what you do here.