Earlier today, I delivered my fifth State of the University address as 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó president. As I participate in events like this, my commitment to our students, staff, alumni, and supporters deepens. I’m reminded what an honor and a privilege it is to lead a university that has had such a profound impact on our community and throughout Nevada for decades.
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about this moment – the year 2025 – and how much our university has grown in just the past 25 years. Our community has more than doubled in size since the year 2000, and our university has grown along with it.
So, what’s in store for the next 10 years, or 25 years?
During my address, I asked those joining me to imagine 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó in the year 2035 and beyond. To start, we have big plans for our Maryland Parkway campus as student enrollment continues to break records, our community impact strengthens, and as our research metrics reach new heights.
51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó’s footprint now stretches throughout Southern Nevada, and it’s exciting to ponder the future of our 2,000-acre North Campus, our developing research park in the Southwest, our prominent role in the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÃâ·ÑApp Medical District, and of course the growing reach in the area of our Maryland campus.
And just as exciting as new buildings and land are the things we can achieve in those spaces. Bigger research, more collaborative and interdisciplinary programming, stronger community and workforce connections, and immersive learning experiences that take student learning to a whole new level. And athletics programs that continue to make all of us proud and bring new fans and supporters to our university.
When thinking about the future, it’s important to look to the past. Much like those dedicated few who went door to door in the 1950s with a dream, and the will, to bring 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó to life, it's now our turn to share the immense pride we have in what 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó has become and think about what our university can be for future generations.
At 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó, Rebels truly do make it happen, and the possibilities of what we can achieve both today and into the future by working together are limitless.
I invite you to read about some of the takeaways from today’s State of the University, and that offers a glimpse of how far we’ve come.
Thank you for your partnership and support.
Keith E. Whitfield, Ph.D.
51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó President