President Gonzalez delivers her inaugural ‘State of the University’ address

Earlier today, Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez announced several new initiatives and provided updates on a wide range of topics during the annual State of the University address in the Walter Hall Rotunda on OHIO’s Athens Campus. 

“I want to offer my thanks for the warm welcome Randy and I received when we started our OHIO journey last year,” President Gonzalez said. “The 2024 academic year was simply fantastic with so many noteworthy accomplishments from our students, staff and faculty.”
 

A momentous year across OHIO

During her address, President Gonzalez highlighted several accomplishments and points of pride that have taken place across OHIO, including: 

• Continued expansion of academic programs on the Athens and regional campuses, as well as through OHIO’s online programs, to meet shifting workforce demands and student interests.
• A total student enrollment increase of 4.6% and an Athens Campus retention rate that hit a two-decade high mark of 84.1%.
• Progress on capital projects, including beginning construction on the newly named Roderick J. McDavis Residence Hall on South Green and continued progress on the Heritage Translational Research Center.
• National recognition by Forbes on its list of the Best Midsize Employers in the U.S. 
• A No. 1 ranking among public universities in the state for Best Value by U.S. News and World Report – for the fifth year in a row.

Gonzalez stressed that, without OHIO’s most important resource, its people, none of these accolades would have become a reality. 

“I want to thank each of you for jumping in and joining me as we embraced opportunities over the last year, most notably the development of a clear and defining Dynamic Strategy that will help move our University forward,” President Gonzalez said.

Moving OHIO forward

Hundreds of members of the OHIO community completed surveys or participated in discussions that informed the development of goals, strategies and actions that comprise OHIO’s Dynamic Strategy and will set the course for the University for the next three years.

Gonzalez also noted that in order for OHIO to successfully realize its bold, far-reaching Dynamic Strategy, an aggressive implementation timeline is essential – and exciting progress is already being made. 

“We wrote a three-year plan with audacious goals,” President Gonzalez said. “Today I am going to announce significant forward progress that we’ve made in just the last 90 days to move toward those goals.”  

Dr. Gonzalez continued by announcing numerous academic and employee investments that will help move OHIO forward, including:

• A $500,000 investment over the next three years to expand the availability of and access to learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom that prepare students for post-graduation success.
• Ohio University is investing in up to 15 new tenure-track positions to increase distinction in research. 
• Ohio University will hold all employee benefits premiums flat for the next two years. 

“What I hope you have heard, clearly and loudly, is that we’re moving forward,” President Gonzalez said. “We’re taking the hard work you put into this plan seriously, and we’re making investments.”