As students, faculty and staff returned for the fall semester, President Carter shared his thoughts on opportunities to build on Ohio State's historic momentum and achieve new levels of excellence.
A Message from President Carter on the New Academic Year
As students, faculty and staff return to campus for the 2025-26 academic year, President Carter shares a message outlining Ohio State’s progress and goals for the future. On the heels of a historic year for the university, the upcoming release of the president’s “Education for Citizenship” strategic plan promises to keep Ohio State in the lead.
Welcome to our new academic year. Whether you're a new or returning student, I am so excited to have you on campus. The energy is on another level when our students, faculty and staff are all here engaging and learning and discovering together.
Hi Buckeyes, I'm Ted Carter, president of The Ohio State University, and I'm coming to you from The Horseshoe, one of the most iconic venues in college sports, home of the defending national champion Buckeyes, where we will be unveiling our championship banner on game day. And this is also the venue where we award over 12,000 degrees and certificates each spring.
It's quiet now, but that's all going to change in a big way in a few days when Texas comes to town. You don't know what it's like to get loud with a hundred thousand fans and see The Best Damn Band In The Land up close and personal, I can't wait for you to experience it. I'm still on a high from our historic title run, but I'm ready for the new season and our new semester to get underway.
At Ohio State, we strive for excellence in everything we do, athletics, academics, research, patient care, service to Ohioans, our state and the world. Last year was a banner year for us and not just because we brought home national titles in football, dance and pistol.
We launched new academic initiatives that will put us on the forefront of educating tomorrow's leaders. We achieved historic success in the life-saving research of our faculty and students. We are setting a new standard in patient care that will make us a model for the nation. We're doing what we and universities like us all across the country have done so well, for over a century, provide a world-class education at an affordable cost to young people from every corner of the state who want to take the opportunity to work hard, chase their dreams and change their lives with a college degree.
You're already well on your way. The decision you've made to invest in yourself with an Ohio State education is one of the best you'll ever make. You're going to learn from the world's best faculty. You're going to get support from dedicated staff who care as much about your well-being as they do your success in the classroom. You'll be part of a vibrant campus environment, full of unlimited opportunities, robust discussion and respectful debate.
From studying at the library to hanging out at the union, to walking across the Oval, and of course, fall Saturdays at The 'Shoe, there's no student experience like the one you're getting here at The Ohio State University. What I'm most excited about is that I think this year is going to be even better than last year. You see, as Buckeyes, we never rest on our laurels, even when there's a lot going on in the world, we rise to meet the moment no more than ever. There are new challenges to be met, new ideas to be explored and new memories to be made.
Together we're building the future of American higher education right here at Ohio State. I'm so glad to be on this journey with each and every one of you. Let's have a great year, work hard, do big things, and have some fun, and we'll see you back here at The 'Shoe in a few days, I can't wait.
As always, Go Bucks!