Universities today find themselves in the crosshairs, facing heightened scrutiny and criticism from various corners of society and, in some cases, severe financial penalties from the government. As the national conversation around universities continues — whether in the news or your professional circles — I hope you’ll remember the critical role research universities like Georgia Tech play in strengthening our country.

On March 8, we celebrated International Women’s Day in the most memorable way by unveiling a new art installation dedicated to the history, accomplishments, and impact of women at Georgia Tech.

A few weeks ago, I traveled to South Korea with some colleagues to visit our partners at Hyundai Motor Group. The trip left me extremely excited for the future of our state’s economy in the global marketplace and proud of Georgia Tech’s role in it.

Amid so much public debate and critique about the role and value of universities this past year, I was delighted that Forbes chose to write a great story about how Georgia Tech has become a leading outlier in terms of the return on investment for our students and our impact in our community.

With all the shared joy in the arena, the smiles on students’ faces, and the cheering by family members, Commencement is the most energizing time of the year — and it’s also a good reminder of how much our work matters.