The following speech was given by Dr. Savoie on February 24, 2022, at the University's R1 Designation Celebration.
I want to thank you Dr. Kolluru for the leadership and vision you’ve provided that kept the R1 designation in our sights and within our grasp. Thank you Ramesh.
I also want to express my appreciation to U.S. Sen. Cassidy, State Sen. Boudreaux, Dr. Henderson and all our special guests for joining us to celebrate this achievement.
And to the leadership of our academic colleges and Graduate School; to faculty and staff members, and students; and to donors, friends, and elected leaders – thank you for the work you’ve done, and the support you’ve shown, that has made this moment a reality.
Each of you coauthored the success we celebrate today. And each of you will contribute to the success that’s yet to come.
Please give yourself a round of applause. [lead clapping]
Thank you.
The progress of any institution is measured in milestones, and we are standing today at a moment steeped in history and rich in promise.
Decades ago, when our University set out to expand the scope, quality and influence of research activity here, our leaders made a series of commitments.
We would be fearless in the pursuit, creation and sharing of knowledge.
We would place ourselves at the forefront of innovation and scholarship.
We would serve our community as an engine of economic development and an agent of societal progress.
We would do all this while continuing to prioritize learning – because we believed then – as we do now that success for every student should be our focus.
Achieving R1 reflects these values and affirms these commitments. And, as their stewards, it’s our duty to build on them.
In the same way that we stand on the shoulders of those who went before us, we must seize this moment of opportunity so that those who come after us can reach even greater heights.
I’ve been thinking lately of my predecessor. As a student, professor and administrator, Dr. Ray Authement was associated with this University for more than 60 years.
I think he may have dreamed about a celebration such as this.
Like so many others, and like all of you, he built a foundation that made today possible.
Dr. Authement was fond of a poem titled “The Call of the Open Sea,” and he often quoted its first stanza to describe the destiny he was sure this University would one day achieve.
The Call of the Open Sea
I’m tired of sailing my little boat
Far inside the harbor bar
I want to be out where the big ships float
Out on the deep where the great ones are!
Today, we stand together on the deck of a great vessel, riding a sea of possibilities.
Our voyage as an R1 University is just beginning, but the wind is at our backs, our compass is true, and from this moment on – it's full steam ahead!
Congratulations to all of you, thank you for being here, and Geaux Cajuns!