Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, president of the NU system, delivered his first State of the University address at the Nebraska State Capitol on Sept. 4. The speech marked one year since Gold introduced the “Odyssey to the Extraordinary” during his investiture.
Gold reflected on the progress made in the past year, noting that despite serious challenges facing higher education, the University of Nebraska is already well along its journey to becoming not just excellent, but truly extraordinary.
“Our Odyssey to the Extraordinary reflects a conviction that Nebraska’s only public university system has the potential to become something more,” Gold said. “And today, one year later, I can say with confidence that we are already well underway.”
In his remarks, Gold highlighted examples of extraordinary teaching, research and engagement taking place across the system:
- Project Health: A bold plan to position Nebraska as a national leader in the academic health sciences and address pressing workforce and technology needs.
- Groundbreaking research: UNMC’s first-in-the-world clinical trial using donor T-cell therapy to treat multiple sclerosis.
- Artificial intelligence leadership: Launch of new undergraduate and graduate programs, a systemwide AI task force, and the creation of a new Center of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.
- Agricultural innovation: Expansion of NFarms and partnerships that have helped Nebraska farmers lead the nation in adopting precision agriculture technologies.
- Community engagement: Nebraska Extension’s work in towns like Lynch, where the Valley Foods Cooperative has become both a grocery hub and an economic driver.
- Extraordinary partnerships: Expanding collaborations with the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, including UNMC’s C-STARS program and UNO’s NCITE center, which are advancing military medical readiness and homeland security.
- Athletic excellence: Championships and historic achievements across Husker, Maverick and Loper programs — from UNK wrestling’s national title to UNO men’s basketball’s first NCAA tournament berth to Husker volleyball’s continued dominance — that showcase the values and culture that define the University of Nebraska.
Gold also spoke candidly about the university’s fiscal challenges. Over the past decade, the University of Nebraska has absorbed an annual funding shortfall of more than $260 million compared to inflation-adjusted levels, a gap driven by stagnant state appropriations, inflation, and limited tuition increases.
This year alone, the university system is implementing more than $40 million in reductions across its four campuses and system administration to address structural deficits and projected shortfalls. While painful, Dr. Gold said, these steps are necessary to put the university on stable financial footing.
“We cannot cut our way to excellence, nor can we cut our way to our extraordinary destiny,” Gold said. “Continued bold investment in Nebraska’s only public university system is essential to sustaining the needs of our students, economy, and communities.”
Gold closed his address with optimism about the future, pointing to the university’s $6.4 billion annual economic impact, its role in educating one in seven working Nebraskans, and the unwavering support of faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners.
He drew on the Stockdale Paradox, a principle named for Admiral James Stockdale, who survived years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Stockdale credited his survival to his ability to confront the harsh realities of his situation while never losing faith that he would ultimately prevail.
“This is exactly the mindset we must hold today,” Gold said. “We must acknowledge the hard truths of our challenges — financial and otherwise — while maintaining an unwavering belief in our ability to emerge stronger. Together, we will keep faith in the extraordinary future we can achieve. Together, we will continue our Odyssey to the Extraordinary.”
Review Gold's entire 2025 State of the University address here.
