A Soaring Start to Fall

September 16, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

It is hard to believe we are already four weeks into the fall semester, and what an exciting start it has been! Across our campuses, there is a sense of energy and vibrancy as our students, faculty, and staff settle into another academic year.

This fall, we welcomed our largest-ever classes of first-year and new graduate students, contributing to another record-breaking year for total enrollment. While these milestones are certainly worth celebrating, what encourages me most is seeing our growth come to life across our campuses. From classrooms and gathering spaces to student activities and events, our campuses are filled with energy, connection, and opportunity.

That excitement extends to Georgia Southern Athletics as well. Our football team kicked off the season at Paulson Stadium with a win over Charleston Southern. It was wonderful to see Eagle Nation back in the stands and our campus come alive with the excitement of game day. We will need you there cheering on our Eagles at our next home game, Saturday, September 26, against the University of Houston.

Our other Eagle teams are also off to strong starts this fall, including men’s soccer, men’s golf, volleyball, and women’s soccer with one of the best starts in their history.

We are also celebrating a new chapter on our East Georgia Campus as the Georgia Southern Golden Eagles begin their inaugural seasons. Cross country has already launched its season, while our basketball, softball, and baseball programs are preparing for competition in the months ahead. At the same time, their athletic facilities are undergoing upgrades and receiving new Georgia Southern and Golden Eagles branding, transforming these spaces into a true home for our Golden Eagles. It is exciting to watch this new identity take shape and to see our student-athletes create new athletic traditions.

On the Armstrong Campus, the Campus Recreation and Intramurals Pickleball and Tennis Complex renovations are now complete. The complex reopened to students this month following improvements throughout late July and August. The renovation included resurfacing, refinishing, and reconstructing portions of the complex to add pickleball courts while also making improvements to the existing courts. The updated facility now features six new pickleball courts alongside nine tennis courts, providing students with even more opportunities to stay active on campus. On opening night, CRI offered a pickleball tournament and had 19 teams participate with 68 people on the courts! 

I also want to extend a sincere “thank you” to the many faculty, staff, and members of our University community who attended the State of the University Address and last week’s Town Halls. These presentations allowed us not only to celebrate and reflect on our successes and accomplishments, but also to have important conversations about where we are headed and the work ahead of us. If you were unable to attend or would like to revisit the presentation, the slides and video are available on my communications webpage.

The FY2028 budget process prioritization is underway, with growth from the previous academic year and this year’s record-setting class helping inform and guide strategic budget priorities. As part of this process, the University System is moving toward a zero-based budgeting approach that uses current data to evaluate costs, needs, and outcomes from the ground up. This approach will help identify true cost drivers and ensure resources align with today’s needs and strategic priorities. The FY2028 budget narrative will be finalized for submission to the University System of Georgia in early November, with updates shared through Faculty Senate, Staff Council, campus email, the Georgia Southern website, supervisors, and divisional vice presidents.

Soaring Beyond, Because of You!

Finally, I am especially excited to recognize our 40 Under 40 Class of 2026. This extraordinary group of alumni represents the very best of Georgia Southern through their success, excellence, character, and values. I am amazed by their achievements and by the impact they are making in their professions and communities. They truly embody our vision of “Growing Ourselves to Grow Others,” and I could not be prouder of the way they represent Georgia Southern.

We have much to celebrate, and even more to look forward to. Thank you for the role each of you plays in creating the energy, momentum, and sense of community we are experiencing across the University.

Sincerely,

Kyle