Speeches

3:20 p.m. Sunday, April 12 – Alumni Ballroom Welcome parents and friends, and congratulations to each of our initiates. It’s an honor to be here with you today. I know that Phi Beta Kappa has a tradition of hosting very distinguished speakers. The best known — Ralph Waldo Emerson — delivered his “American Scholar” address […]

7 p.m. Friday, April 10 — Alumni Center Good evening, and welcome back to campus! It’s wonderful that you have been part of the FSU family for more than 50 years! I hope you look at Florida State University as your home, even as the campus itself has grown and changed over the years. I, […]

8:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8 — 3rd Floor Varsity Club Thank you, Stan. I’m so excited to be here with you today to celebrate your success! I want to tell you how proud I am of the work that you do everyday to bring positive attention to Florida State University. And what a fantastic season […]

10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 25 — Strozier Library I have fond memories of the time I spent here at Strozier when I was a student. Of course, if you had talked to any of my professors, I’m sure they would have told you they wish I had spent a little MORE time here in the […]

Backstage Pass to the Very Best of FSU 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 – Great Hall, Room 4003, HSF House Good evening. I want to welcome you here today to honor all of our students who excel in their chosen academic fields. As Florida State University rises in the national rankings and pursues even higher […]

Backstage Pass to the Very Best of FSU 6 p.m. Saturday, March 21 – Chemistry Building Atrium I am so excited to be here to celebrate Florida State University’s past, present and future and to honor the women who have shaped this great University! In 1909, the institution formerly known as the Florida State College […]

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 – University Center B, 5th floor Good evening. What a pleasure it is to be here to recognize another impressive group of Social Science Scholars! Congratulations to all of the scholars. To those in the 2014 cohort — wow! Spain, Switzerland Nepal — your work has taken you all over […]

12 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 – Civic Center (Lower Level) Thank you. It’s good to be here at Tiger Bay again, this time in my new role as president of Florida State University. You know, when the FSU Board of Trustees named me president, I was thrilled. I think everyone here knows how much I […]

11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 – FSU Alumni Center Ballroom Thank you, David. It’s such a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk about what’s ahead for Florida State University — a preeminent university on the rise. Since becoming president a few months ago, I must say that my favorite thing has been the daily […]