President Brooks Keel gave his annual State of the University Address as well as awarded honors to several faculty and staff members at this morning’s Fall Convocation.

“It is an exciting time to be back on campus. This campus has never looked better, the faculty have never been more prepared and excited, our staff has never been more supportive and our students have never been more qualified,” Keel said.

The State of the University Address included Keel talking about the major changes and accomplishments Georgia Southern University have overcome over the past twelve months as well as his hopes for the future.

For the first time since 2008, GSU is not expecting any budget cuts for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, which also includes an $81.6 million budget for this school year, Keel said.

As far as the future is concerned, there are four categories of focus in order for GSU to move forward, Keel said.

“I am very excited about the future of this university. We can’t have a future without a vision,” Keel said.

The four strategic themes are enhancing student success, ensuring fiscal sustainability, promoting academic excellence and increasing research and creativity, Keel said.

There were several awards given to members of faculty and staff in appreciation to their research and dedication to GSU.

The recipients for the 2013 Focus on Excellence Award:

Contributions to Service: Dr. Yasar Bodur and Dr. Julie Maudlin, College of Education.

Contributions to Instruction: Dr. Scott Beck, College of Education and Ms. Lisa Yocco, College of Science and Mathmatics.

Contributions to Research/Creative Scholarly Activity: Dr. John Luque, Jian-Ping Hsu College of Public Health and Dr. K. Bryant Smalley, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Keel closed with thanking each staff and faculty member and encouraged everyone to keep the university’s success in motion.

Keel said, “In order for us to be successful in motion, we have to stay in motion. I can’t think of a better place to do that or a better faculty and staff to get us to where we need to go.”