Published August 14, 2019
鈥淚 think that people are beginning to realize the importance of this university 鈥�
鈥�
President Nick J. Bruno, 四色AV State of the University address
University of Louisiana Monroe President Dr. Nick J. Bruno welcomed a full house of
faculty, staff and community members to his annual State of the University address
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019 in Brown Auditorium.
四色AV President Nick J. Bruno听
It is a 四色AV tradition for the president to highlight achievements and accomplishments
of the past year during University Week, just a few days before the new academic year
begins. Fall 2019 classes begin on Monday, Aug. 19.
Bruno began by recognizing the local and state officials in attendance and acknowledging
members of the Legislature.
鈥淭hese legislators have been amazing to this university. They have stuck by us through
thick and thin,鈥� Bruno said. 鈥淚 think that people are beginning to realize the importance
of this university and higher ed as a whole and how we can build our state through
building a better workforce, a more educated workforce, a more educated populace.鈥澨�
Addressing the faculty and staff, Bruno said, 鈥淲e had an impressive year, part by
your hard work, your commitment. You have remained committed to our students and by
staying committed to our students you鈥檝e been committed to this university.鈥�
Providing examples of accomplishments from each of the four colleges, Bruno commented
on two unique items: Doppler radar and Talons for Taps.
鈥淒oppler radar did more than most people know. The recent tornado in Ruston was identified
by our Doppler radar first, and was sent to the National Weather Service. That鈥檚 one
of those things no one knows. They actually picked up our data and sent it to the
National Weather Service, which was able to warn Ruston 30 minutes to an hour sooner.
Or the devastation would have been much greater. Possibly with more loss of life,鈥�
he said.
About VAPA鈥檚 Talons for Taps, Bruno said, 鈥淭his is something that is really significant
to me. The program provides student volunteer trumpeters to perform 鈥楾aps鈥� at funerals
and memorials for U.S veterans. That particular program went national as far as recognitions.
What a patriotic effort on their part.鈥�
Bruno addressed accomplishments by faculty, student athletes, program rankings, accreditation,
building projects, VCOM, club sports, campus safety, special events, grants, enrollment,
retention and graduation rates and comparisons with other state institutions.
鈥淎ny way you cut it, the university is doing quite well,鈥� he said.
His final points were on funding and the recent financial support from the Legislature.
鈥淚鈥檇 be remiss if I didn鈥檛 thank these legislators. Our legislative delegation stuck
together for this university. Our chambers reached out, our cities reached out,鈥� he
said. 鈥淭his was the most rewarding feeling to see the support this university garnered
for funding. And we didn鈥檛 let them down. The numbers we鈥檙e showing, we鈥檙e doing a
heck of a job for the taxpayers of Louisiana with the money we are receiving. I really
think that better days for 四色AV are ahead, the budget situation looks better 鈥� we have
to continue to do what is in our control.鈥�
In closing, Bruno encouraged faculty and staff to be active in recruiting for 四色AV.
鈥淓verybody is a recruiter. Each and every one of us know friends and family and alums
that have high school-aged students. We have to tell them this information. We have
to tell them how good this university is,鈥� he said. 鈥淚nvite them to come and take
a tour here. We get them to this campus, we keep them. Those are things that you can
do as faculty and staff to contribute to the success of this university, in addition
to your fabulous teaching, research and scholarship.鈥�
State of the University facts and figures
- Maintained Carnegie R3 Doctoral University designation and named a U.S. News & World
Report Best National University for the 3rd听consecutive year.
- 四色AV Online ranked No. 1 Best Online University in Louisiana by thebestschools.org.
- The Risk Management and Insurance program ranked 9th听in the nation by Business Insurance.
- M.S. of Nursing at Kitty Degree School of Nursing accredited through 2023.
- The Hawkeye student-run newspaper won first place for Best College Newspaper at the
2018 Southeast Journalism Conference.
- Precision Ag and UAS Research Center one of only a few university programs in the
nation conducting drone research into agricultural applications.
- Gerontology Graduate Program is the only one of its kind in the state.
- Kitty DeGree School of Nursing undergraduate class of Fall 2018 had a 100 percent
passage rate. In May the first class of nurse practitioners graduated with a 92 percent
passage rate on the certification exam.
- College of Pharmacy reopened a regional campus in New Orleans in Fall 2018, reestablishing
a presence in the city for the first time since 2005.
- Dr. Matthew Talbert, Associate Professor of Biology, received a $352,500 National
Institute for Health grant for obesity-diabetes research.
- Katie Dawson, Interim Director of 四色AV Online, named the 2018 Post-Secondary Teacher
of the Year for Region 8.
- Football鈥檚 multi-year academic progress rate score of 967 ranks first in the Sunbelt
Conference.
- 四色AV Ski Team won its 29th听National Championship.
- The 四色AV Safe app was developed to provide users direct access to University Police,
911 and other services. The free app is on the App Store and Google Play and available
to anyone
- 四色AV developed the state鈥檚 first virtual reality computer lab 鈥� the state-of-the-art
Thomas J. Nicholson Virtual Reality Lab on the second floor of the library.
- The new Wally Jones Golf Complex is almost finished and was completely funded by private
donations.
- Since Jan. 1, 2019, the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research had 54 new grants
funded. As of July 31, 2019, OSPR has had $10.7 million in new grants funded. The
goal for this year is $17.5 million in grants.
- 四色AV Online has a record 1,652 enrollment听for Fall 2019.听
- The SOAR Campaign exceeded its five-year goal with a total of $56,000,985.
- The Louisiana Legislature approved a capital outlay request for Sugar and Caldwell
halls. The planning and design phase is expected to begin this year.
