June 3, 2015
Dear Longhorns,
There is no other university like The University of Texas at Austin, and I am honored to begin my service as its 29th president. Rooted in a fabled history, UT has grown stronger from each opportunity and occasional challenge since the Texas Constitution of 1876 first mandated the state to establish and maintain “a university of the first class.”
In response to that charge, my goal as president is to build on the successes of recent years while also pursuing excellence in new ways. I will work with faculty, staff, students, alumni and state leaders to make UT one of the top public research universities in the world.
We will continue to be innovative in educating our undergraduate students to be tomorrow’s leaders in a globally competitive and diverse environment while increasing their opportunities to learn from UT’s research mission. Students will benefit from new technology in classrooms and labs.
We will expand the impact of the research and scholarship generated by faculty and students, allowing them to investigate questions vital to understanding our society and the world. They will pursue discoveries that will lead to improved quality of life and competitiveness for the state and our nation.
We will create a new health care model that combines medical education with comprehensive care and focuses on wellness, and not only sickness, with the opening of the Dell Medical School a year from now.
And we will transform lives by sharing UT’s unique resources with the state, nation and the world.
To accomplish these goals, I need your help. In the coming weeks and months, I will be in touch about opportunities for you to be involved with our great university.
As I begin my presidency, I am grateful for the support of UT System Chancellor William McRaven and the Board of Regents. I also look forward to working with members of the Texas Legislature and congratulate them for the recently completed 84th regular session.
Please mark your calendars for Sept. 17, the day of my presidential inauguration and State of the University address, which will be followed by a community and campus-wide celebration.
I am committed to advancing The University of Texas at Austin and leading it to even higher levels. Your loyalty, support and enthusiasm have been the foundation of our success. I look forward to building together an exciting future for UT.
Hook 'em Horns,
Gregory L. Fenves, President