Garnet and gold filled the halls of the Florida Capitol as lawmakers, Florida State University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends came together to celebrate FSU Day on March 19.
FSU’s prestigious colleges and programs were showcased on the second and third floors of the Capitol Rotunda, highlighting the university’s accomplished students and faculty with booths representing various departments.
Jeff Culhane, the voice for Florida State football and men’s basketball, emceed the outdoor pep rally featuring music by the FSU pep band Seminole Sound with performances by the FSU Cheerleaders. The event featured special guests, lively entertainment and student-athletes from FSU football signing autographs and greeting the public.
Members of the Florida Legislature’s Seminole Caucus joined FSU officials and members of the Board of Trustees for the festivities. Special guests included Chancellor of the State University System of Florida Ray Rodrigues, State of Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, FSU Football Associate Head Coach Odell Haggins and FSU Men’s Head Basketball Coach Luke Loucks.
President Richard McCullough opened the program with his excitement and passion for Florida State University.
“It’s a great day to be a Florida State Seminole,” McCullough said. “So wonderful to see so many alumni and friends here, all in garnet and gold.”
President McCullough invited Chancellor Rodrigues to share his thoughts, where he emphasized FSU’s record high 76% four-year graduation rate and 96% first-year retention rate.
“So, it’s not just all these applicants that want to come to FSU, the ones you choose to admit want to come back and stay,” Rodrigues said. “They want to graduate a Seminole and enter their professional life as a Seminole.”
Rodrigues also touted FSU’s contributions to the State University System of Florida being named the nation’s best for higher education for the eighth year in a row, including FSU’s recent ranking as one of the nation’s top 10 public universities and No. 1 for student satisfaction.
During the program, McCullough also highlighted the ongoing support that the legislature has given to the new FSU Health initiative, including the construction of an academic health center on Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s campus in Tallahassee.
“We at Florida State University continue to expand our research footprint, we’ve created FSU Health,” McCullough said. “In that partnership, we will build research and help to provide even better health care for this region of the country.”
McCullough concluded by thanking the Florida Legislature and all individuals assisting in FSU’s climb in academic excellence.
“Florida State University is an academic and athletic powerhouse, and there’s never been a better time to be a Seminole,” McCullough said. “Thank you for helping us continue our climb. We’re grateful again to our legislators. Thank you so much for helping to provide support for the vision that we’re set for, but also the vision that you set forward — Go Noles!”
