UNF empowers students, faculty and staff to soar, President Moez Limayem says during 2024 Convocation address

University of North Florida President Moez Limayem outlined in his 2024 Convocation address how the University will achieve its strategic goals while maintaining the supportive and nurturing environment that helps empower success for students, faculty and staff.

"With our clear vision for the future, our talented faculty and staff, and our relationships with key industry partners, we look ahead to how we will continue to elevate everything we do at UNF." Limayem told students, faculty, staff and guests.

The UNF Strategic Plan calls for the University to grow from nearly 17,000 students to 25,000 students in four years.

The University will do that "while holding close those things that make UNF special. To all our students here today, you came to a university where faculty know your name, where staff know how and when you need support and want to help you," Limayem said. "We are changing the lives of thousands of students, one at a time."

During the event, faculty award winners were recognized, as were winners of the first awards honoring those who exemplify UNF's core values: accountability, integrity, excellence, civility and culture of care.

UNF is also where every student can take part in meaningful experiential learning opportunities - including hands-on research, study abroad, service learning and internships. Already, 85 percent of graduating seniors report taking advantage of such experiences. Limayem said that will soon grow.

"To continue with this success, I am committing to you today that 100 percent of our students - beginning with our next incoming class - will participate in experiential learning," Limayem said. "Yes, I said 100 percent so that no students will be left behind."

As the University aspires and works toward an R1 status, Limayem highlighted some of the University's recent and ongoing successes. Those include news that three UNF professors were awarded a patent for discovering a compound that can "turn off" cancer, research by other faculty that is helping improve the mobility of children with cerebral palsy and students who show how data can help improve outcomes for community organizations as part of the Florida Data Science for Social Good program.

Last year, UNF doubled funding to support faculty Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, bringing it to $2 million. This year, that is being increased to $3 million, Limayem said.

The University is also renovating the Coggin College of Business and Brooks College of Health, is building a new Honors Residence Hall and will next build a Student Support and Academic Building to give students, faculty and staff spaces they need to be successful.

These improvements come as UNF received a record, two-year total state investment of funding of $30 million in recurring funds, $14 million in nonrecurring funds and $73.9 million in capital investments. It also exceeded its annual private fundraising goal again, raising $30.5 million this past year - nearly double the amount raised in 2021.

UNF's economic contribution to the state of Florida is more than $1.3 billion, and its return on investment is $11 for every state dollar invested in UNF.

"Our community is proud of their hometown university - the title that has been ours for more than 50 years," Limayem said. "Let's be clear, we are the No. 1 provider of talent for our region. We are the backbone of our community, and we are so proud of it."

After the Convocation, the festivities continued at the Party on the Plaza. At that time, the University provided refreshments and merchandise, while also giving out scholarships and gift cards.