Welcome to the Randall Recap. In a word March was filled with – momentum.

March brought greater clarity on the impact of the 2026 legislative session, and I want to thank Utah’s legislative leaders and our state partners for their continued support. This year’s session delivered meaningful investments in research, workforce development and student success from ongoing funding for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine in St. George, the Utah wildfire camera network and SafeUT, to new investments in the Utah Health AI Vault, AI research infrastructure, cancer research and mental health. Together, these investments position us to make a real difference in the lives of all Utahns.

This impact is reinforced by a new report released by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, which highlights the value of higher education across our state highlighting higher earnings and stronger communities to contributing nearly $14 billion in economic impact and supporting 138,000 jobs. It’s a powerful reminder that what we do here matters far beyond our campus.

We also took an important step in planning for the year ahead with a modest tuition increase alongside targeted salary investments for our faculty and staff. Our goal is simple: remain accessible and affordable for students while ensuring we can recruit and retain the people who make this university exceptional.

We joined USHE and institutions across the state to launch the Utah Cooperation Cohort in partnership with Interfaith America. Led by Utah Impact Scholar Eboo Patel, this initiative will strengthen civic understanding and how we engage across differences.

We also announced our 2026 honorary degree recipients—Clark Ivory, Ronald Rasband and Meeche White—each a role model whose life and leadership reflect the very best of our mission to serve and create impact. We look forward to honoring them at commencement on April 30.

On the national stage, I had the opportunity to represent Utah at a White House roundtable discussion on the future of college athletics. The conversation was critical for the long-term stability and sustainability of college sports.

Let’s close with Utah Athletics. Congratulation to the Utah Ski Team on capturing their 18th national championship—an incredible achievement. And to our Red Rocks gymnastics team for winning back-to-back Big 12 titles. Your excellence inspires us all.

To the entire University of Utah family, thank you for all that you do.

And as always…Go Utah!