2026
Messages &
Speeches

President Davis delivered his State of the University Address on Oct. 21, sharing a bold and confident vision for the future of The University of Texas at Austin.

Dear Longhorns, Texas is thriving, and because of that, our campus is the place to be. Sometimes that draws outsiders who want to be in our spotlight. They say things at UT and about UT. They say things to you and about you. As we’ve seen recently, sometimes…

Dear Longhorns, Human health is central to the future of The University of Texas at Austin and our mission. Today, I am excited to announce that I have named Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and the UT Dell Medicine Health System. She will continue…

Dear Students, Welcome to your first day of classes. The start of the school year is here. There’s energy and excitement across the Forty Acres, and our faculty and staff are ready for you. Campus is fully alive. Enjoy yourself this semester. Try new things. Get to…

Dear Longhorns, The University of Texas at Austin has a duty to educate students for successful careers, thoughtful citizenship, and purposeful lives that benefit our state and nation. A strong core curriculum is central to that mission. The core curriculum is the combination of classes every student is…

Dear Longhorns, A secure campus environment is foundational to everything we do. Protecting our students, faculty, staff, patients, families, and visitors remains our top priority. In February, we elevated campus safety to a cabinet-level position and combined key areas of strength to establish a consolidated campus safety portfolio.

Dear Staff and Faculty, Research is foundational to how The University of Texas at Austin delivers our mission. It is how we discover new knowledge, spark innovation, and solve great challenges. The research that happens here drives economic growth across our state and nation. It makes our lives…

Dear Staff and Faculty, The University of Texas at Austin has an extraordinary history and mission. This calls for clarity and intention in how we tell our story. The Vice President for Communications and Brand Strategy is a cabinet-level role responsible for leading campus-wide communications and shaping a…

Dear Faculty and Staff, I am pleased to announce the faculty members from across our campus who will serve as the inaugural President’s Faculty Advisory Cohort. This distinguished group of faculty members will advise University leadership and support key academic functions across the Forty Acres. Each member was…

Dear Longhorn Nation, There are moments in our University’s history when Longhorns have changed the course of our future. Today is one of those moments. We are taking a bold step forward. Earlier this afternoon, sitting alongside Susan and Michael Dell, Governor Greg Abbott, Board of Regents…

Today, it was confirmed that among those who lost their lives is one UT student. A child of loving parents. A loyal friend to many. A Longhorn preparing to change the world. It is devastating, and I know all of us are grieved by this horrible news and we will remember her.

Today is a difficult day for our city and the University. We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred early this morning in downtown Austin.

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, The power of computing and how we organize and use information enables us to solve our world’s greatest challenges. In our continued efforts to organize ourselves in thoughtful and effective ways that serve students and fulfill our mission, The University of Texas at…

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, The University of Texas at Austin is committed to providing all of our students access to a world-class education. That includes providing students with meaningful opportunities to engage with outstanding faculty and to pursue fields of study within a robust and vibrant student…

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, Keeping Longhorns safe is our top priority. As the world shifts and evolves, campus safety needs become broader and more complex. The University of Texas at Austin is preparing for the future with an integrated, forward-looking approach to campus safety — one built…

Dear Longhorns, Welcome back. The spring semester is a perfect time to grow. You had a chance to rest and reflect on what you accomplished in the fall. Now you can build on what you know and discover what else there is to learn. Be curious this semester.