Introduction

The first known cases of what’s now called COVID-19 began in December 2019.  We initiated meetings to prepare for its impact on the UT System in January.

Like everyone else, we have embraced the strategies to slow transmission of the virus to help enable the health care system to cope.  This began with social distancing and has now extended to very limited physical presence at our academic institutions and the UT System building.   

Good morning.  I join President Woodley in welcoming you today, and I want to congratulate her, Dean Nnanna and everyone at UT Permian Basin on this important day. Special thanks, of course, to our effective and committed leaders in the Texas Legislature – including Representative Craddick, Senator Seliger, and Representative Landgraf – who approved the Tuition Revenue Bonds that provided most of the financing for this great new facility. And, to all the donors, supporters of UTPB, who helped make today possible.  We can’t thank you enough.

Thank you, Dr. Raimer, for the outstanding job you are doing as President ad interim. Your devotion to this historic and critically important institution is clear.  I congratulate you, and your entire team, on this exciting and important day. I’ll add my welcome and deepest appreciation to David Callender, UTMB’s recent, visionary president.  And thanks, especially, to all of the donors and supporters here with us today, who helped make this magnificent new facility possible. 

It’s an honor to be in the presence of some exceptional leaders, who’ve been champions of higher education in Texas for many years.  I applaud all of you for being here, and for recognizing that in the years and decades to come, Texas is going to go exactly as far as our people can take us. We have the second largest, and third youngest population in the country – and it’s growing fast.   About 1000 people each day, half births outnumbering deaths, and half people moving here. According to the state demographer, Lloyd Potter, a faculty member at UTSA, we may even double in the next thirty years.

Good afternoon, everyone.  Thank you, Bob.  As James Huffines mentioned, your many years of outstanding service to higher education in Texas will serve the UT System and CCEC quite well, and we’re grateful for your willingness to serve again. 

I also think it’s wonderful that the Chancellor’s Council, after 54 years of existence, finally has a chairman who is known as “Bubba.” We are honored to have you take the helm of this distinguished group. 

I’ve been in Austin now for only seven and a half months, but pretty early on I became aware of the community’s commitment to early childhood development.   I met Libby Doggett at a party and it didn’t take long to realize we knew many of the same people and had many of the same interests.   I suspect that started the chain reaction that led to me being with you this morning.   I think Libby was surprised the UT System Chancellor was even moderately conversant in the subject.   It wasn’t always the case.  

As Chancellor, nothing is more important to me than the safety, health and well being of our nearly 240,000 students, and all of the members of our campus communities. The UT System was created was to serve the people of our state, helping them lead prosperous, productive, and healthy lives. It’s hard to think of many things less helpful to that mission than tobacco.

When I was talking to the search committee, the Board of Regents, and the Governor, something I strongly suspected became crystal clear. It wasn’t the much better weather. It wasn’t tacos for breakfast. It wasn’t even the generous and engaged members of Longhorn Nation. Although all those things are wonderful. The thing that most attracted me to Texas is the ambition, confidence and optimism that is so clearly part of this state’s DNA.

Good morning.  It’s great to be with you.

I want to thank the Chamber and Opportunity Austin for the chance to visit with you today.  And I appreciate the effort you all made to be here on a Friday, and before you’re fully caffeinated.

As Gary mentioned, though I visited many times over the years, I’m a relative newcomer to Austin – almost to the six-month mark.

People often ask about the differences between living in New York and living in Austin.