In just his second year in office, Florida State University President Richard McCullough is reflecting on the institution’s most recent successes while highlighting his continued commitment to research.
On Wednesday, Florida State’s 16th president delivered his State of the University address on campus at the College of Medicine.
The annual event brought faculty members, staff, and alumni out to hear McCullough's plans for the future.
“We have built an incredible team of people here at Florida State University," McCullough said. "We built an exceptional team; we have recruited some of the best people in the country to come work with us because of the exciting vison that we have here at Florida State University.”
McCullough, who took over the university in August of 2021, told attendees the University is setting records for the number of applications for incoming freshman and has seen an increase in graduation rates for fourth-and sixth-year students.
Moving forward, he says FSU will continue funding research projects like Artificial Intelligence to help better support students. The University has spent $400 million for such research expenditures, but McCullough says he’s setting a goal to see that number increase to $500 million for the upcoming school year.
"Our research mission is incredibly important as we define and make a difference in this world. Research changes the world, I could give you so many examples where research at universities drive the economy of the world."