The following speech was given by Dr. Savoie on February 24, 2022, at the 小蝌蚪APP's R1 Designation Celebration.
I want to thank you Dr. Kolluru for the leadership and vision you小蝌蚪APP檝e 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 小蝌蚪APP thank you for the work you小蝌蚪APP檝e done, and the support you小蝌蚪APP檝e 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小蝌蚪APP檚 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 小蝌蚪APP 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 小蝌蚪APP because we believed then 小蝌蚪APP 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小蝌蚪APP檚 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小蝌蚪APP檝e been thinking lately of my predecessor. As a student, professor and administrator, Dr. Ray Authement was associated with this 小蝌蚪APP 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 小蝌蚪APP淭he Call of the Open Sea,小蝌蚪APP and he often quoted its first stanza to describe the destiny he was sure this 小蝌蚪APP would one day achieve.
The Call of the Open Sea
I小蝌蚪APP檓 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 小蝌蚪APP is just beginning, but the wind is at our backs, our compass is true, and from this moment on 小蝌蚪APP it's full steam ahead!
Congratulations to all of you, thank you for being here, and Geaux Cajuns!