'Supreme optimism': FSU President Richard McCullough delivers 2nd State of the University address

FSU State of the University Address - November 30, 2022

 'Supreme optimism': FSU President Richard McCullough delivers 2nd State of the University address

“I can tell you now that after being here for 15 months, I come before you with supreme optimism about the ability of Florida State to move to even greater heights,” McCullough said. “We’re already ahead of the game.”

A brief video clip steered the audience’s attention to some of FSU's highlights from the past year, which includes having the best six-year graduation rate in the university’s history, having a record-breaking number of about 80,00 applications for 6,000 slots, opening the Student Union Building as a “community-driven centerpiece,” breaking ground on the College of Business’s Legacy Hall and securing $125 million from the Florida Legislature for a new health center.

Many new hires have been made throughout the year in McCullough’s leadership team, including Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Clark and Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson. There are more to come within the realms of the faculty following 150 new members who joined the FSU family this fall.

The upcoming new hires include the appointment of a new dean for the College of Medicine in the coming days, McCullough said, telling the audience to stay tuned for the announcement.

The search for the College of Medicine’s next dean comes after John P. Fogarty’s retirement from the position this year, which has led to three finalists being chosen — Leon McDougle from Ohio State University, Nicholas Verne from the University of Tennessee and Terry Steyer from the University of South Carolina.

With additional faculty members joining the university, expanding FSU’s research portfolio and funding is a goal on McCullough’s checklist that he hopes will be met by doing a better job of promoting faculty to help them secure awards and grants.

“There's a new sheriff in town, and we're going to take care of you," McCullough told the faculty members. "We want to make sure that you're rewarded, and we're going to do it in ways to make sure that you don't leave this great university.”

He added that this year’s salary increase has been the most significant one for faculty and staff in FSU’s history. A new three-year contract agreement resulted in an increase of 4%, plus a .75% merit increase decided by departments and a .50% merit increase decided by deans.

Chicken said that overall, the faculty is “really happy with Dr. McCullough” and likes the direction the university is headed in.

“We’re excited about all the goals that he discussed, and we’re really eager to engage him and work with him to make sure that we can attain them,” Chicken told the Tallahassee Democrat. “I wouldn’t change anything. I think the goals are quite comprehensive.”

While addressing student success at the university, McCullough proudly stated the university’s is seeing an 84% graduation rate and 95% freshman retention rate. He also heralded athletic achievements that include FSU’s women’s soccer team advancing to the College Cup and the football team climbing in the playoff polls after winning their nail-biting game against the University of Florida.

“We are in relentless pursuit of excellence, and we continue to gain national attention by our efforts,” McCullough said.

The big achievements come along with McCullough’s fundraising goals that include redoubling the university’s efforts to get 10,000 new undergraduate alumni donors by June after losing thousands of donors last year, which he says was greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think it's very clear that our time is now,” McCullough said. “We have a lot of work to do, but I promise you, the first lady and I will work tirelessly to make sure that this great university is even better tomorrow than it is today.”