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Dear ,
Graduation season, one of the happiest times of the year at UT institutions, is upon us. But much of our joy this year is tempered by sadness, particularly at UT Austin, where we have recently lost two cherished members of our Longhorn family.
As you know, on May 1, an act of violence claimed the life of UT freshman Harrison Brown, an extraordinarily talented young man who surely had a bright future ahead of him. I remain in awe of the UT Austin community for its outpouring of love and support to the Brown family and to the brave students who are still recuperating from their injuries.
More recently, we lost one of the most respected and beloved giants in higher education when Dr. Peter Flawn passed away this past weekend. Peter served as president of UT San Antonio from 1973 to 1977, and then at UT Austin from 1979 to 1985. Peter was a good friend to me, and more importantly he dedicated his life to making sure young people like Harrison Brown had an opportunity to get a great education.
Both Harrison and Peter are sorely missed, and I want to offer my condolences to all of their loved ones and my thanks to you for your prayers and wishes.
On April 28, I had the privilege of co-hosting the 50th Chancellor’s Council (CC) Annual Meeting & Symposium in Austin. CC Chairman Wallace Smith and I were honored to welcome more than 1,100 dedicated supporters and friends of The University of Texas System as we celebrated a half-century of advances in education, research and health care.
The Annual Meeting is our opportunity to convey appreciation to CC members and provide them with a firsthand look at the impact of their generosity on UT institutions and programs. This year, we focused on “Looking Back to Leap Forward,” highlighting strides over the past 50 years and the initiatives that will shape the next 50.
We began the Symposium with my thoughts on the “State of the System.” The biggest takeaway is that the State of the System is incredibly strong. It is incredibly strong because of the great leaders we have at UT institutions. Presidents who drive for excellence. Faculty who are dedicated to educating our children. Employees who do everything within their power to provide the very best service to students, patients and the community at large. And of course, the magnificent students who are focused, driven, curious, active, and unrelenting in their desire to change the world for the better.
Read the Chancellor’s State of the System remarks
Watch the Chancellor’s State of the System address
The State of our System owes so much to these leaders, but also to the great leaders who came before them. And we were honored to be joined at the Symposium by three remarkable men who shaped the future of the UT System, and helped set the conditions for the success that we enjoy today.
Watch a video showcasing the contributions of Chancellors Hans Mark, William Cunningham, Mark Yudof and Francisco Cigarroa.
Learn and laugh as you watch a video of the lively panel discussion featuring Chancellors Cunningham, Yudof and Cigarroa.
Award-winning journalist (and Texas native) Stone Phillips led Chancellors William Cunningham, Mark Yudof and Francisco Cigarroa in a lively “Chancellor Rewind” panel discussion. I encourage you to view the video highlighting their experiences and adventures as they led the UT System over the years. I promise you will learn and laugh as they reflect on pivotal moments that marked their tenures.
Watch a video highlighting the health care contributions made by UT institutions over the past 100 years.
View the panel discussion featuring Dr. Kirk Calhoun (UT Health Northeast) and Dr. David Callender (UTMB) sharing their perspectives on patient care, medical education and research taking place across the UT System.
The second panel, “Picture of Health,” demonstrated how UT academic health institutions have advanced health care over the past 50 years. Dr. Kirk Calhoun, president of UT Health Northeast, and Dr. David Callender, president of UTMB, spoke of revolutionary collaborations, groundbreaking research and innovative medical education taking place at their institutions and through collaborations across the UT System. These exceptional leaders shared perspectives and insights that were both enlightening and inspiring.
Watch a video showing how universities and the student experience have changed—and remained the same—over the past 50 years.
See the video featuring UT Presidents Greg Fenves (Austin), Vistasp Karbhari (Arlington) and Guy Bailey (Rio Grande) as they discuss the transformation of campus culture and learning.
Another panel of exceptional leaders—UT Austin President Greg Fenves, UT Arlington President Vistasp Karbhari and UT Rio Grande President Guy Bailey—closed out the Symposium. After a video highlighting how universities and the student experience have changed—and remained the same—over the past five decades, these campus leaders engaged in an informative discussion about the ways higher education responds to and leads changes transforming our world. As they noted, while today’s campuses are in many ways different from 50 years ago, students continue to have the same desire to learn, grow and make the world a better place.
Throughout the day, we celebrated and reflected on the past 50 years. But we also looked forward to the next 50 years and beyond, knowing the UT System has the strength, commitment, talent—and loyal network of generous supporters—necessary to “leap forward” in making Texas, our nation and, yes, the world better, safer, healthier and more equitable.
Of course, at the end of the day, everything we do is made possible by our incredibly generous network of supporters. It is heartening, and more than a little humbling, to know that all over the world, people like you believe in what we are doing and are willing to pitch in.
Your support, which means the world to me and to all of my colleagues, will never be taken for granted. Thanks for all you do.
Respectfully,
Bill McRaven
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