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The ���ӽ紫ý Faculty Opportunity Awards prove that a little startup funding can reap huge returns. The program provides a seed funding for research teambuilding and the costs related to submitting proposals for federal, philanthropic, and industry research funding. In 2021, the program invested about $188,000 in 13 projects that, one year later, brought in $4.7 million in grants. 

What happens when scholars join forces to study solutions to societal issues like addictions, the fast-emerging use of AI, and racial equity and social justice? We’ll make progress faster and on a bigger scale, thanks to the ���ӽ紫ý Interdisciplinary Research Development Areas initiative. With the big-picture in mind, ���ӽ紫ý has begun hiring groups of faculty who can come at topics from different disciplines to collaborate with existing faculty and community leaders toward one common goal: improving the quality of life for all.

Linebacker Jackson Woodard was the first player in team history selected as a First-Team Academic All-American. A transfer from the University of Arkansas, Woodard completed his kinesiology degree in May. This fall, he will pursue both his graduate certificate and opposing quarterbacks — the latter as a team captain and a candidate for multiple national honors including the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker.

The ���ӽ紫ý Athletics Hall of Fame welcomed a diverse class of inductees including athletes Hunkie Cooper (football), Kevin Lofthus (baseball), Christine Parris (softball), and Talance Sawyer (football); the 1991 ���ӽ紫ý softball team; national championship-winning golf coach Dwaine Knight; and beloved equipment manager Paul Pucciarelli. Longtime ���ӽ紫ý athletics supporter Bruce Bayne was inducted as a Distinguished Contributor, while one-time quarterback Steve Stallworth received the Silver Rebel Award.

Lee Business School students are sweeping up awards — and job offers — at national competitions. ���ӽ紫ý teams have won the Institute of Management Accountants Student Case Competition seven times in the last decade, while other ���ӽ紫ý teams have brought home national trophies from marketing, tax advising, mining and other industry competitions. Faculty advisors and travel funds help these student groups get to the competition, and once they’re there, they show off how well their ���ӽ紫ý education prepares them for their professions.

To be successful as a university — and to fulfill our community focused mission — we need to first build a college-going culture. That’s why we’ve bolstered early outreach programs — visiting schools, attending family nights, and hosting programs that demystify college and make it within reach for all. We’ve also launched the “Young Rebels” program, which brings dozens of our youth programs under one umbrella. 

���ӽ紫ý Nursing graduated its first cohort through its direct-entry master of science program. It was created for students who already have a bachelor’s degree and are looking for a career change to nursing and prepares them for licensure in one year. The school’s highly ranked online master’s programs are also filling the need for nurse educators, family nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and psychiatric mental health.

This fall, ���ӽ紫ý became one of a select few U.S. universities to offer a robust slate of classes exploring mariachi, a cultural Mexican folk music. The College of Fine Arts also introduced a new bachelor’s degree in creative practice. Other new offerings across campus include athletic training, counselor education and supervision, and water resources. For those thinking ahead, ���ӽ紫ý will launch a new bachelor’s in neuroscience in 2025.