This university's long history has prepared us well to be a 21st century university—an institution that uses lessons from the past to prepare for a future of continuing excellence.

Our dedication to excellence encompasses many realms. Consider, for example, our academic programs. With the Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University-Extensive designation, and with many of our schools and colleges rated among the country's finest, we stand firmly in the ranks of the nation's top public universities.

Florida State University welcomed its sixth Nobel laureate in 2003, and our faculty includes eminent scholars in many areas of the arts and sciences. Hundreds of National Merit, National Achievement and National Hispanic Scholars have made our university their top choice for higher education.

Among many points of excellence is the creation, in 2000, of the nation's first allopathic medical school in a generation. The FSU College of Medicine is truly a 21st century medical school and as such is charting a new course for medical education.

Florida State University has built one of the country's "most wired" campuses, ensuring that students are well prepared for the technology and demands of this new century. We are recognized as a pioneer in the area of distance learning.

In the realm of scientific excellence, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory—which houses the most powerful magnets in the world—is located on our campus. We also have the most powerful supercomputer owned by a single university, and the U.S. Navy has chosen Florida State University to develop the advanced power systems that will drive its next generation of ships.

We rank third in the nation on royalties from patents, thanks in great part to Dr. Robert Holton's development of the cancer-fighting drug, Taxol. Our external research awards have been increasing during a time when declines have been more typical, and our endowment has increased sixfold in less than a decade. That is a real mark of our excellence as an academic institution.

Located in countries throughout the world, our international programs are unparalleled.

Our excellence shines in realms beyond academics, beyond our tri-fold mission of teaching, research and service.

In the realm of athletics, our scholar-athletes continually provide examples of excellence, and their hard work and dedication add to this university's great reputation.

In uncountable ways, this university reaches out to our community, our region, our state and our nation. The advances made on our campus contribute to the health and welfare of people throughout the world.

Florida State University can take pride in our excellence in so many realms, and we recognize that our students and our faculty have created the foundations for this excellence.

I hope that, as you become a part of this campus, you will join us in our continuing efforts toward excellence.

T.K. Wetherell
President, Florida State University