Speeches

Thank you, President Podolsky, Senator Hutchison, Regent Hall, Provost Fitz, Deans, distinguished faculty and most importantly, the graduates of 2015.

It is indeed a pleasure for me to be here tonight to celebrate this wonderful moment in your life. 

From the time I was a little boy, my mother longed for me to be a doctor. But, somewhere along the way, destiny had a different path for me to take.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0qQHLjLBIA

Chancellor Bill McRaven gives a State of the System address to UT System's many supporters at the 48th Chancellor's Council Annual Meeting & Symposium. "The State of the System is strong, and it is getting stronger," said Chancellor McRaven.

I appreciate this chance to congratulate and thank tonight’s inductees into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers.

I want to salute the Board of Regents for their support of great teaching, and thank Vice Chancellor Reyes and his team for all the vision and hard work that went into creating this Academy.

I would also like to take a moment and congratulate and thank Doctors Brent Iverson and Beth Brunk-Chavez – the driving forces behind The Little Orange Book, Short Lessons in Excellent Teaching – and all of the Academy members who contributed chapters.

So, I have been on the job a little over two weeks now, and I can tell you it has been an e-ticket ride!

I worried when I left command of the all the special operations in the United States that life would be boring – how wrong I was! 

What we have going on in Texas – at our academic and health institutions is as exciting as anything I have ever experienced.

When you jump out of a plane at 30,000 feet, an oxygen mask strapped to your face, a rifle on your leg and a rucksack on your chest – it is quite a rush. 

The Chancellor’s talk begins at 10:00 minutes and ends at 22:22 minutes on the video below.