McCullough underscores FSU’s momentum, record achievements in State of the University address

President Richard McCullough delivers the annual State of the University address during an FSU Faculty Senate meeting at the College of Medicine Durell Peaden Auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.

Florida State University President Richard McCullough reflected on the university’s record-setting achievements and heralded ambitious plans during his annual State of the University address Wednesday. 

McCullough praised the collective effort driving FSU’s momentum — including historic highs in graduation rates, research expenditures and fundraising — during an FSU Faculty Senate meeting at the College of Medicine Durell Peaden Auditorium. He outlined plans to build on this progress by focusing on student success, research excellence and community impact. 

“The story of Florida State is one of momentum — we are on the rise,” McCullough said.  

FSU set records in several key areas in 2024, including a four-year graduation rate of 76%, research expenditures of nearly $455 million and the second-best fundraising year in FSU’s history, totaling more than $163 million. 

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends are the force behind the university’s progress, McCullough said. 

“As we continue to climb, momentum is on our side,” the president said. “The achievements and progress that we’re making together is unbelievable. It’s unprecedented — and we’re not slowing down.” 

McCullough emphasized FSU’s rising national rankings, noting the university’s No. 10 placement on Niche’s list of Top Public Universities, its No. 1 spot for student satisfaction among public universities from The Princeton Review, and its continued status as a Top 25 public institution in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. 

“Our momentum is unstoppable, and the best is yet to come.” — President Richard McCullough   

The president also touted the university’s success in student achievement and highlighted the impressive academic qualifications of the freshman class and the growth of programs like Honors and Presidential Scholars. 

McCullough said a goal is to make FSU the top research university with the lowest rate of student debt in the nation. More than 86% of full-time undergraduates received non-loan financial aid last year, and only 32% of FSU students graduate with debt, averaging $14,500 — well below the national average of $29,400. 

He noted FSU’s progress toward becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution with more than 24% of undergraduate students identifying as Hispanic, just shy of the 25% threshold required for the designation. 

“That’s a milestone that will be incredible for this university and is evidence nationally of our strong commitment to inclusivity and academic excellence,” McCullough said. 

President Richard McCullough delivers the annual State of the University address during an FSU Faculty Senate meeting at the College of Medicine Durell Peaden Auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.

FSU’s story of student success is not just about undergraduates, McCullough said. The university conferred the highest number of master’s and doctoral degrees in its history during the 2023-2024 academic year. FSU also welcomed the largest ever incoming doctoral cohort and hired the highest number of postdoctoral associates ever this fall.  

FSU welcomed more than 200 new faculty members for the second consecutive year — among the largest cohorts in its history, and McCullough said he would keep working to support faculty excellence and bring in more full-time, tenure-track faculty members. 

“These appointments really underline the momentum we have at this university,” McCullough said. “Faculty from all over this country see what’s happening at Florida State — that we’re investing in faculty and providing resources for new initiatives.” 

McCullough reported that the university’s experiencing extraordinary momentum in research, scholarship, and creative excellence. He applauded the faculty for submitting more than $1 billion in research proposals — a record-breaking achievement that doesn’t include the $300 million NSF grant renewal for the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. 

He highlighted three major research initiatives underway at FSU: 

• FSU Health: The university is developing plans for a 100-bed hospital in Panama City Beach and has broken ground on a new academic health center at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. These projects will advance medical education and research while expanding access to quality health care. 

• InSPIRE: The Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, and Education, based in Panama City, received a $98.4 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast last year. This initiative in aerospace and advanced manufacturing has the potential to transform the region’s economy. 

• Ignite Tallahassee: This program is the cornerstone of a four-year plan to foster innovation and support entrepreneurs. It connects high-tech startups with resources, mentorship, and funding to foster innovation and position North Florida as a hub for entrepreneurship. 

On the fundraising front, McCullough said the university raised $163 million last year, marking its second-best total in history, and increased its endowment to over $1 billion. In July, FSU also began the Leadership Gift phase of a new campaign that will continue to be a priority over the next several years. 

McCullough pointed to a recent monumental gift from FSU alumna Anne Spencer Daves, for whom the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is now named. The gift is one of the largest ever for an education-related college in the country. 

FSU received its largest state appropriation ever during the 2024 Florida legislative session, which is a testament to the university’s reputation, McCullough said. 

“I think FSU is seen as a wise investment for state dollars, and legislators and the Governor know we bring a very good return on investment to the state and Florida’s taxpayers,” he said. 

Looking forward, McCullough and the Governmental Relations team are working with state leaders to push forward budget and policy requests for the 2025 legislative session, which begins in March.  

McCullough also lauded outreach efforts around the university, highlighted by FSU’s deepening of its friendship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In November, the university dedicated the new home of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Center, a space that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples, both in Florida and across the country.   

While FSU continues to make strides in its academic initiatives, the president touted university’s athletic achievements as well. FSU student-athletes have their highest collective GPA in university history, and the Seminoles placed 12th nationally in the annual Director’s Cup rankings, their highest ranking in five years.  

In closing, McCullough expressed confidence in FSU’s trajectory. 

“Our momentum is unstoppable, and the best is yet to come,” McCullough said.