President’s Spring Address Focuses on the University's Commitment to Core Values
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 17, 2025) — President Havidán Rodríguez used his Spring University Address to highlight UAlbany’s accomplishments and impact, and to celebrate faculty, staff and student accomplishments. Throughout, he stressed the University’s commitment to its core values.
“In challenging times like these, the public mission of higher education is not just more important, it is the light by which we will find a path forward for our democracy,” he said to the audience that packed the Campus Center Auditorium Wednesday afternoon.
“UAlbany is not retreating from our mission or our values,” Rodríguez said. “We are an engine of opportunity for everyone. Inclusive excellence is a core part of our identity. This is who we are.”
Rodríguez noted that last week the visas of two current and two former UAlbany students were terminated without notification. He said the University is providing support and resources to the four impacted, as well as to the University’s entire international student community.
Prior to taking the stage, the president was introduced by University Senate Chair Kate Coddington, an associate professor in Geography, Planning and Sustainability. Coddington urged University leadership to tap into the expertise found on the 12 councils and committees within the University Senate when making decisions on University policy.
“It’s important to use this decision-making infrastructure to the fullest, and make the most of the incredible shared governance resources we have, particularly as we are confronted with challenging circumstances in the years ahead,” she said.
During his address, the president took time to highlight the University’s impact on the region and the world, including its $1.1 billion economic impact and the 8,000 jobs it brings to the community. He talked about philanthropy, including the $38 million raised by The University at Albany Foundation — money that supported faculty research and provided more than 3,200 student scholarships.
And he called out examples of excellence at the University: new academic programs, impactful research, a new AI and Society College and Research Center, and major facilities upgrades, including a decarbonization project and planned new Health Innovation & Technology Research building. The Massry School of Business welcomed a new dean, Paquita Davis-Friday, and launched the public phase of a $30 million capital campaign. And the student ambulance company, Five Quad, earned the highest award — EMS Ready Campus Gold Tier — at the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation conference.
Rodríguez had praise for the 17 University projects that received StAR grants, and congratulated the winners of the Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence, as well as the women's basketball team and men and women's track and field teams for their stellar seasons. And he welcomed UAlbany mascot Damien onto the stage to present a trophy for winning “Mascot Madness.”
“Hey, we have to have fun too, right?” he said.