'Feet to the fire': FSU president lists 'audacious goals' in first state of the university address

During his first state of the university address, Florida State University President Richard McCullough laid out ambitious plans for the university that include breaking into the top 15 public universities in the nation, increasing research funding and beginning construction projects.

Speaking to a crowd of less than two dozen FSU Faculty Senate members and staff inside FSU's Dodd Hall, McCullough — wearing a garnet and gold tie and centered in front of large church-like stained glass windows — began the Wednesday event, which was streaming online, by saying "The state of the university is excellent."

This was followed by a short video highlighting a few recent achievements including over $250 million awarded to the university in research funding, a MacArthur genius grant given to a professor in the school of dance and FSU's continued placement amongst the top 20 public universities in the prestigious rankings by U.S. News and World Report.

Back story:

• 'National treasure': FSU dance prof Jawole Willa Jo Zollar named 2021 MacArthur Fellow

• FSU ranked No. 19 in U.S. News & World Reports 'Best Colleges 2022' guidebook

• FSU president points to surge in faculty hiring, moves to double research grants

"That was awesome," McCullough, who was selected as president in May, said after the video played through, adding: "This has not been an easy time."

He reflected on the volatile environment created by the coronavirus pandemic: Classes moving between in-person to online and hybrid study.

"This is not easy," he said. "This is not business as usual."

McCullough, however, did not address the current state of COVID on-campus, which has seen record breaking numbers in the weeks since students returned from winter break.

More: Leon County COVID roundup: Omicron spreading through FSU, K-12 schools, local jail

The crux of the university president's speech were his goals for the coming semesters and school years of which there were essentially four:

• raising the school's ranks,

• bringing on more faculty,

• attaining more research funds

• and improving infrastructure.

"I have audacious goals that even scare me," he said, inciting brief laughter from the masked crowd. "But, I am holding my feet to the fire and I will make sure that I do everything I can to accomplish these goals."

McCullough said he'd like to see FSU attain Association of American Universities (AAU) membership, meaning it would join 64 universities in the United States and two in Canada that are considered America’s leading research universities.

Coming soon to the university, he added, is an expansion of programs across many scholastic disciplines including medical research, through a potential partnership with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and the creation of a center for indigenous studies.

More: FSU, TMH and Apalachee Center plan new psychiatry residency program

These initiatives, McCullough said, are some of many.

With the development and growth of research at the university comes a search for more professors, specifically those on a tenure track. FSU currently has 169 active searches for faculty positions across all programs.

And as far as construction projects, it seems the university will have a full docket as McCullough proposed plans for four new buildings and facilities.

These spaces will be dedicated to the business school, life sciences and medical research, interdisciplinary research and commercialization, and a "football only facility."

Furthermore, McCullough said the student union, a construction project that's been plagued with delays, will be completed by the summer.

"Ambitious indeed, but I would have to say ... certainly probable," he said.

Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU president Richard McCullough gives first state of university speech