I want to start with a word of heartfelt gratitude to the members of our faculty, staff, and administration, as well as our students, alumni, volunteers, and donors, for having delivered another banner year for Georgia Tech. Together, we have found ways to serve more students; to provide them with one of the best value propositions in the nation; to conduct more groundbreaking research; and to have more impact in our city, our state, and our world.

Tomorrow will be my fourth anniversary in this job (an anniversary I share with GTRI chief Jim Hudgens and Dean Lozier, by the way). The significance isn’t lost on me that each time I’ve given this address (even during the pandemic), I have been able to celebrate another “banner year at Tech.” That, I’m happy to report, won’t change today. We committed in our strategic plan to amplify our impact and I can proudly say that our impact has never been greater. And at a place like Tech, that’s really saying something.

I hope you all had a chance to rest and recharge this summer. Beth and I loved being able to travel again, reconnect with family and friends on both sides of the pond and spend time with many impressive Yellow Jackets along the way. At each stop, I was reminded of the impact Georgia Tech has around the world, and I thought I would share some of those moments with you.

What this community did last year was simply remarkable. Though different, the situation was equally complex. And we not only went through it, we thrived and ended up delivering one of our most impactful years ever. I have no doubt we will do it again, together.

This has been a truly extraordinary year. Over the past six months, we have navigated through one of the most difficult periods in our history. We have each faced unique challenges in our own personal lives. And, together, we have managed to keep Georgia Tech strong and delivering on its important mission.

Thank you. It is such an honor to be back at Georgia Tech. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that one day I would be asked to return to Georgia Tech as president. Today standing here before you, it’s still hard to believe, but I’m thrilled to be back here in this community that has always been home to me, and I am so excited to begin working with all of you to write the next chapter in the history of this great institution.

There are still many bridges that need to be crossed to make our society more just and prosperous, to bring about freedom, opportunity, and peace to people around the world, to help us all live healthier, safer, more enlightened lives. And much of that work can once again start here in Atlanta, in the classrooms, the labs, the innovation spaces at Georgia Tech.

President Cabrera’s key speeches and select public appearances are made available here. These and other presidential documents, including archives from past Georgia Tech presidents, are housed in our institutional repository, SMARTech.