September 4, 2026
Colleagues,
As we begin a new academic year, I want to thank each of you for the energy, optimism and sense of purpose you bring to our university. The start of a new semester is always a reminder of why we do this work: to educate the next generation, advance discovery, strengthen our communities and create opportunities that improve lives across Nebraska and beyond.
Yesterday, many of you joined me in the rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol for what is becoming a meaningful tradition for our University of Nebraska System community — the annual State of the University Address.
It was an incredible honor to highlight just a small fraction of the extraordinary work taking place across our campuses. Over the past year, we have launched innovative academic programs, achieved joint accreditation between the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, strengthened the future of Nebraska Medicine through a new governance partnership and surpassed $500 million in philanthropic support, among many other accomplishments. And we did this all even as we navigated challenge. Know that I am so impressed with each of you and the magnitude of what we can accomplish together.
If you were unable to join us yesterday, I invite you to read or watch the 2026 State of the University Address. And I want to extend the same invitation to each of you that I extended to those in the audience yesterday — to tell the story of the university and how it has opened doors for your students, your families and your fellow Nebraskans.
Thank you for all that you do for the NU System. Serving as your president is one of the greatest privileges of my career, and I am grateful every day to work alongside people whose passion and purpose are making a lasting difference for our state.
I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead.
With gratitude,
