Written
by: Brianna Kwasnik 鈥16, M.A. 鈥23 | Photography by: Jessica Leigh
Presidential Pillars Come into Focus
Attention will be placed on three priorities: impact, reputation and the endowment
President Dahlberg was ceremoniously welcomed to the University with inauguration activities that stretched over two days last spring.
The Blade of Grass that Breaks the Blacktop
By Victorio Reyes Asili, professor of English and writing
On March 31, in a much-anticipated ceremony marked by tradition and an outline for the University鈥檚 future, Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg was officially inaugurated as the 11th president of the University of Tampa.
Faculty, trustees and other dignitaries opened the event in David Falk Theatre with an academic procession, followed by speeches and musical and other creative performances.
Speakers included Abigail King 鈥25, president of Student Government, and Christina Hurley 鈥88, Alumni Association board chair. Victor Boschini Jr., chancellor of Texas Christian University, where Dahlberg was provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs prior to her appointment at 葫芦影业ampa, also spoke, expressing his respect and extending congratulations, before Board of Trustees Chair James Eyer introduced President Dahlberg for her inaugural address.
Dahlberg's speech was the first opportunity for members of the campus community, 葫芦影业ampa alumni and others to officially hear her vision for the University.
In her remarks, President Dahlberg noted three areas of focus: magnifying 葫芦影业ampa鈥檚 impact on people and communities, starting with student success; reputational excellence; and growing the University鈥檚 endowment.
鈥淥ur programs are built upon a strong liberal arts foundation. Exceptional faculty guide students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively and lead with purpose,鈥 she said. 鈥淓xperiential learning outside the classroom compliments academics, fulfilling the 葫芦影业ampa commitment of learning by thinking and learning by doing.鈥
葫芦影业ampa recently launched an initiative known as 鈥淚nternships for All,鈥 she said, which builds upon long-standing efforts by faculty and staff. The goal is to provide paid internships to students, so they鈥檙e ready to enter the workforce, regardless of their chosen major.
As part of the initiative, she announced the Tampa Bay Nonprofit Endowed Fund to support students who intern with local nonprofits.
Secondly, Dahlberg addressed the University鈥檚 reputational excellence, focusing on academics.
Under the direction of outgoing Provost David Stern, the 葫芦影业ampa curriculum has evolved to meet society鈥檚 future needs, Dahlberg noted, with facets like personalized learning environments, small classes, cutting-edge technologies and meaningful community engagement.
She said she wants to expand and extend this foundation by embracing artificial intelligence.
鈥淎s a young university, we are nimble; even so, generative artificial intelligence is advancing at lightning speed, so we鈥檙e launching the AI Across the University initiative to accelerate the great work that faculty have already begun,鈥 she said.
鈥淥ur goal is to prepare 葫芦影业ampa graduates to ride the wave of change as AI becomes integrated into their future careers and future lives.鈥
The third pillar of focus, she said, is the University endowment, the financial foundation that supports 葫芦影业ampa鈥檚 long-term excellence.
鈥淥ver 90% of 葫芦影业ampa students receive financial aid and scholarships,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his is why we have intensified our focus on growing endowed student scholarships and endowed faculty and staff positions.鈥
She specified a few ways to support the University鈥檚 endowment: giving to the Centennial Circle, a recognition society for donors who contribute $100,000 or more to create an endowed fund; Spartan Alliance scholarships, which are awarded to deserving Tampa Bay-area high school graduates; the Tampa Bay nonprofit scholarship; and creating endowed faculty and endowed staff positions.
Dahlberg began her position at the University on June 1, 2024. She succeeded President Ronald L. Vaughn, who led the University for nearly 30 years.
In one of the more evocative moments of her inauguration ceremony, Professor of English and Writing Victorio Reyes Asili read an original poem, titled, 鈥淭he Blade of Grass that Breaks the Blacktop鈥.
In the first line, Asili asked, 鈥淲hat does it mean to meet the moment?鈥
He went on to make a case for connection and resolve, found in a love for community.
Asked & Answered
Jen A. Miller 鈥02, a former Minaret editor, author and nationally known freelance journalist, asks President Dahlberg about points from her inaugural address.
The Blade of Grass that Breaks the Blacktop
By Victorio Reyes Asili, professor of English and writing
On March 31, in a much-anticipated ceremony marked by tradition and an outline for the University鈥檚 future, Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg was officially inaugurated as the 11th president of the University of Tampa.
Faculty, trustees and other dignitaries opened the event in David Falk Theatre with an academic procession, followed by speeches and musical and other creative performances.
Speakers included Abigail King 鈥25, president of Student Government, and Christina Hurley 鈥88, Alumni Association board chair. Victor Boschini Jr., chancellor of Texas Christian University, where Dahlberg was provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs prior to her appointment at 葫芦影业ampa, also spoke, expressing his respect and extending congratulations, before Board of Trustees Chair James Eyer introduced President Dahlberg for her inaugural address.
Dahlberg's speech was the first opportunity for members of the campus community, 葫芦影业ampa alumni and others to officially hear her vision for the University.
In her remarks, President Dahlberg noted three areas of focus: magnifying 葫芦影业ampa鈥檚 impact on people and communities, starting with student success; reputational excellence; and growing the University鈥檚 endowment.
鈥淥ur programs are built upon a strong liberal arts foundation. Exceptional faculty guide students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively and lead with purpose,鈥 she said. 鈥淓xperiential learning outside the classroom compliments academics, fulfilling the 葫芦影业ampa commitment of learning by thinking and learning by doing.鈥
葫芦影业ampa recently launched an initiative known as 鈥淚nternships for All,鈥 she said, which builds upon long-standing efforts by faculty and staff. The goal is to provide paid internships to students, so they鈥檙e ready to enter the workforce, regardless of their chosen major.
As part of the initiative, she announced the Tampa Bay Nonprofit Endowed Fund to support students who intern with local nonprofits.
Secondly, Dahlberg addressed the University鈥檚 reputational excellence, focusing on academics.
Under the direction of outgoing Provost David Stern, the 葫芦影业ampa curriculum has evolved to meet society鈥檚 future needs, Dahlberg noted, with facets like personalized learning environments, small classes, cutting-edge technologies and meaningful community engagement.
She said she wants to expand and extend this foundation by embracing artificial intelligence.
鈥淎s a young university, we are nimble; even so, generative artificial intelligence is advancing at lightning speed, so we鈥檙e launching the AI Across the University initiative to accelerate the great work that faculty have already begun,鈥 she said.
鈥淥ur goal is to prepare 葫芦影业ampa graduates to ride the wave of change as AI becomes integrated into their future careers and future lives.鈥
The third pillar of focus, she said, is the University endowment, the financial foundation that supports 葫芦影业ampa鈥檚 long-term excellence.
鈥淥ver 90% of 葫芦影业ampa students receive financial aid and scholarships,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his is why we have intensified our focus on growing endowed student scholarships and endowed faculty and staff positions.鈥
She specified a few ways to support the University鈥檚 endowment: giving to the Centennial Circle, a recognition society for donors who contribute $100,000 or more to create an endowed fund; Spartan Alliance scholarships, which are awarded to deserving Tampa Bay-area high school graduates; the Tampa Bay nonprofit scholarship; and creating endowed faculty and endowed staff positions.
Dahlberg began her position at the University on June 1, 2024. She succeeded President Ronald L. Vaughn, who led the University for nearly 30 years.
In one of the more evocative moments of her inauguration ceremony, Professor of English and Writing Victorio Reyes Asili read an original poem, titled, 鈥淭he Blade of Grass that Breaks the Blacktop.鈥听In the first line, Asili asked, 鈥淲hat does it mean to meet the moment?鈥
He went on to make a case for connection and resolve, found in a love for community.
Jen A. Miller 鈥02, a former Minaret editor, author and nationally known freelance journalist, asks President Dahlberg about points from her inaugural address.
Inauguration activities happened over two days last spring. On March 31, Dan Huber, professor of environmental studies, carried the ceremonial mace in the inaugural procession in Falk Theatre. The Chamber Singers performed, and President Dahlberg and other university leaders held a symposium about issues in higher education.
April 1 started with a tree planting to replace a grand live oak that fell in Hurricane Milton. The new tree symbolizes resiliency and President Dahlberg鈥檚 planting roots in the Tampa Bay community. Later, Dahlberg greeted students around campus, and the annual scholarship luncheon was held, highlighted by a Q&A session with Spartan Alliance Scholars.
More 葫芦影业 News
