Since coming to Kentucky State University in 2004 as its 13th president, I have stood before you – students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the Frankfort community and the KSU extended family – nine times to deliver the State of the University Address. This address will be a bit different than those I’ve done in the past, however, because these are different times. While I will certainly highlight the progress we have made in the past year, I will spend even more time focusing on the tremendous challenges before us and the opportunities that await us at the end of the journey under this, our new “normal” situation. Some of you may remember that the title of my inaugural address was KSU: A Work in Progress. That theme came from the title of the painting done in 2004 by one of our students, Yvette Hardy. Her work won the national Verizon art contest. It is a painting of a young girl getting her hair braided. The braids are so integral that you wonder how it is possible to keep the design in mind and ever get it done. The theme this morning – KSU: A Work in Progress … Still – is purposeful in that my goal is to remind us that while we have done much, there is much yet to do. Let's talk first about some of the things we have accomplished.

the carpet and curtains.

After homecoming is over, a remodel of Bradford Hall's foyer will begin. /there will be a reception desk, new ceiling tiles, lobby seating and signature entrances to the business school and to the music department.

school and to the music department.

Around the campus near the library and close to Chandler and Kentucky halls and the health

Some of you may remember that the title of my inaugural address was KSU: A Work in Progress. That theme came from the title of the painting done in 2004 by one of our students, Yvette Hardy. Her work won the national Verizon art contest. It is a painting of a young girl getting her hair braided. The braids are so integral that you wonder how it is possible to keep the design in mind and ever get it done. The theme this morning – KSU: A Work in Progress … Still – is purposeful in that my goal is to remind us that

center, you have seen new green park benches. There is the area planted by the chiller facilities by Dr. Tamara Sluss and her students that deals with sustainability of the area. Another area in front of the motor pool building suffered from very bad erosion. Funds given by the university allowed that group to plant trees to beautify and to help stabilize the area.

Another area in front of the motor pool building suffered from very bad erosion. Funds given by the university allowed that group to plant trees to beautify and to help stabilize the area.

while we have done much, there is much yet to do. Let's talk first about some of the things we have accomplished.

Look around you. As you walked to this meeting this morning, you could see some of the things we have done. When you entered this auditorium, you walked down aisles with new carpeting; you took a seat in chairs that are new, and I must add should not snag your dresses, pants or suit. Some of you may have noticed that the railings on each side of the stage are new and distinctive with the KSU logo imbedded in them. The curtains will be replaced soon, and there will also be new technology added for viewing presentations like this one.

with new carpeting; you took a seat in chairs that are new, and I must add should not snag your dresses, pants or suit. Some of you may have noticed that

We have added several more new SMART classrooms. All classrooms in the Business College area of Bradford Hall have been repainted, new blinds and flooring have been installed and the faculty offices are being upgraded. We have added 70 plus new parking spaces, with an additional 100 plus parking spaces to be added this fiscal year. New blinds have been put up in most of the faculty offices in Carver Hall.

Perhaps the most dramatic addition, however, is the new front gate entrance and the guard station. The entrance contains some architectural features that will tie in with the Cheaney walkway and help unify the campus. The guard station will help direct visitors to visitor parking and will give

the railings on each side of the stage are new and distinctive with the KSU logo imbedded in them. The curtains will be replaced soon, and there will also be new technology added for viewing presentations like this one.

Additionally, we are preparing to redo the small auditorium. It will become a seminar room, still capable of staging plays and smaller productions, but one that can also be used for some of the larger classes in the business program or other programs. The seats will be replaced, along with the carpet and curtains.