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

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.

2010 State of the University

The University of Georgia is being challenged today, as it has been challenged many times in its history. In the midst of challenge, it can be difficult to focus on anything but the challenge itself, and all of us, of necessity, have spent a great deal of time on the current budget situation...

2009 State of the University

Who could have predicted the changes and challenges that 2008 would bring locally, nationally and internationally? An African- American and a woman in the Democratic presidential primary, competing for the opportunity to face the oldest presidential candidate in history in one of the most unusual elections ever in America. A man named Wakamatsu became a manager in major league baseball, while in Chicago “Da Bears” were coached by a man named Lovie and the White Sox managed by a Hispanic. Couple all that with one of the oddest vice presidential picks in history, and “you betcha” it was a year of change.

State of the University Address 2008

This is a crucial juncture in the history of the University of Georgia. 2007 may very well have been the best year ever for UGA, and I will elaborate on that in a moment. But first, a cautionary tale.

2008 State of the University

This is a crucial juncture in the history of the University of Georgia. 2007 may very well have been the best year ever for UGA, and I will elaborate on that in a moment. But first, a cautionary tale.

2007 State of the University

I hope you agree that 10 years is a significant milestone. As of July, only seven other people will have served the university in this role longer than I.

State of the University Address 2007

Our call today is to build on the foresight of those heroes of UGA's history and to make sure that the land-grant mission is not only relevant to life in the 21st century, but a powerful force for good.

2006 State of the University

2005 was another very good year for the University of Georgia. First, I want to express once more my gratitude for the way you responded to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Even though this campus is hundreds of miles from the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, it did not escape the impact of Katrina, which flooded much of the city of New Orleans, obliterated stretches of the Mississippi coast and pounded southwest Alabama.

State of the University Address 2005

I am grateful for the dedication that you all have shown. The uniting power of being a part of the University of Georgia is clearly greater than anything which seeks to divide or hinder us.

State of the University Address 2004

I want to remind all of us that the purpose of all that we do here – the personnel decisions, the building projects, the research efforts and the teaching – is to make sure that at the end of the day, or at the end of the year, this is a better community.

State of the University Address 2003

As we begin the year 2003 and mark the 218th anniversary of our charter, I can report to you that the state of the university is strong...

State of the University Address 2002

Sept. 11 has caused me to ask hard questions about how I spend my time and effort and how I can better serve the many constituencies of this university, all of whom deserve attention because of their deep love for this institution.

State of the University Address 2001

Today I want to speak with you about the strategic plan for the University of Georgia as we begin the 21st century.

State of the University Address 2000

The University of Georgia is today one of the best public universities in this country because of a 215-year commitment to three timeless principles: Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.

State of the University Address 1999

I appreciate the opportunity to come before you now for the second time and talk about the present condition of the University of Georgia.

State of the University Address 1998

I come also, however, to challenge you with some new themes that I believe should guide our development for the immediate future.