Today, in the spirit of the recent Thanksgiving holiday, I wish to begin my remarks by offering thanks. Thanks to my wonderful family, to our hard-working Regents and to the vice presidents and chancellors of our university system. I am particularly thankful for our learners and to their families who have entrusted us with their educational journey; grateful to our dedicated and highly talented faculty and staff who provide a rock-solid foundation and contagious energy that powers all we do; and grateful to the philanthropic community and business communities whose partnership accelerates our odyssey to the extraordinary.
Today, this meeting of our Board of Regents, is a meaningful and highly impactful day for our university and for the communities we serve as we address the proposed items contained within our agenda. The discussions and decisions that will follow represent much more than numbers on a balance sheet. They are programs, disciplines and communities of our colleagues. The numbers represent years of study and hard work. They represent decisions to come to Nebraska to put down roots and raise families. As I’ve said before and I’ll say again: we cannot cut our way to success—we must grow our way to the extraordinary. And as our board will deliberate and make these choices, I think often about the Stockdale Paradox—the concept first described by the late Admiral James Scockdale, that we must confront and deal appropriately with the facts of our current reality, while always maintaining absolute faith that we will prevail, and indeed, truly thrive in the end.
I hope that today’s meeting becomes a reminder—tomorrow, a year from now and 10 years into the future—that we must continue to find new, innovative and forward-looking ways to build our future and to achieve fiscal strength. We must pursue new investments, extend invitations for new partnerships and look for fresh and different opportunities to educate our students, continue our trajectory of innovation and serve the people, communities and industries of our state and beyond. And I hope the discussions and actions at this meeting serve as an enduring reminder that today and every day into the future, we must also embrace a solid and sustained ethos based upon the optimism that is the foundation of ongoing, dynamic and strategic growth.
Over the past months there has also been much that gives me this optimism and much that has emphasized strategic growth and new opportunities. We are moving forward on our Odyssey to the Extraordinary, and I see evidence of that across all our campuses—built upon our strategic framework and our roadmap for our trajectory ahead.
The resolutions recognizing our five Kudos Award recipients and the resolution honoring my colleague and friend, General Anthony Cotton, are inspiring as they recognize the amazing individuals who represent the very best of our university community, and at the same time, strengthen and uplift those who we serve.
An example: As a part of our system wide strategy, the Board of Regents last month took a historic step by unanimously approving joint institutional accreditation for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Affirmed by the Higher Learning Commission, this decision strengthens our academic foundation, deepens collaboration and allows us to tell a more complete story about the impact of Nebraska’s flagship and academic medical campuses.
Joint accreditation aligns us with our Big Ten, land-grant and prestigious R1 peers and reflects the full scope of our teaching, research and engagement. It preserves the distinct missions of UNL and UNMC while opening new doors for innovation, partnership and student success. Together, these two great institutions can now serve Nebraska with even greater impact.
We’ve also seen continued progress across our operational and strategic priorities serving the agricultural community. The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources launched the Digital Ag DNA Networking and Engagement Series to connect faculty, students and industry partners who are advancing data-driven agriculture. This initiative builds on a decades-long foundation in digital and precision ag and unites research, teaching and Extension across crop, livestock and natural resource systems. Nebraska continues to lead in this space, with our producers firmly at the center of innovation.
In Kearney, the new Health Science Education Center is nearing completion and will open early next year. This 110,000-square-foot facility will feature state-of-the-art digitally equipped classrooms, advanced simulation labs and a new pharmacy program through UNMC—bringing professional education opportunities closer to home for students across rural Nebraska.
At UNMC, engagement and excellence continue to reach far beyond our borders. The university recently hosted its annual visit of Senator Ben Nelson Fellows, welcoming physicians from Ukraine who specialize in treating battlefield injuries. Through this exchange, UNMC shared its expertise in training and rehabilitation, extending a partnership rooted in compassion and collaboration. These Ukrainian physicians—many of whom have served on the front lines and routinely risk their lives for others—exemplify immeasurable courage and dedication. Their work, in partnership with UNMC, sets a global standard in health care leadership.
UNO has recently finalized the search, subject to Board approval, for their College of Business Administration with the appointment of Dr. Dupreet Dhillon, an internationally respected business educator who received his doctoral degree from the London School of Economics and is ranked internationally as a top leader in business cybersecurity.
And last month, UNMC’s Davis Global Center finalized testing of the high speed 5G network providing interconnectivity for ultra-high resolution holographic images connecting Omaha, Kearney and Grand Island. Let me share a few minutes of this truly remarkable first-ever high-tech experience.
And of course, there are many other moments of pride that lift our spirits as well. Husker Volleyball has had an undefeated season and captured another Big Ten championship—continuing to represent our state with excellence and heart. Congratulations to Coach Busboom Kelly, the recently named AVCA Coach of the Year.
Even amid a rapidly changing national landscape and multiple difficult fiscal realities, these stories remind us of who we are—strong, capable, resilient, creative and determined to serve.
So, while today is replete with hard discussions and impactful decisions, it is also filled with a sense of true purpose. We are confronting our challenges honestly and directly, and at the same time, we are also holding tight to our optimism and faith in the future.
I want to again close with gratitude—for our students, faculty, staff and all who believe in the University of Nebraska. Your work, your support and your belief in this institution make all the difference and empower our future.
There is much success that is ahead, and I am confident in our direction, our mission and our people. Together, we will continue our Odyssey to the Extraordinary.