Written
by: Brianna Kwasnik ’16, M.A. ’23 | Photography by: Jessica Leigh
|
June 05, 2025
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’s 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 ’25, president of Student Government, and Christina Hurley ’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 UTampa, 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, UTampa alumni and others to officially hear her vision for the University.
In her remarks, President Dahlberg noted three areas of focus: magnifying UTampa’s impact on people and communities, starting with student success; reputational excellence; and growing the University’s endowment.
“Our programs are built upon a strong liberal arts foundation. Exceptional faculty guide students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively and lead with purpose,” she said. “Experiential learning outside the classroom compliments academics, fulfilling the UTampa commitment of learning by thinking and learning by doing.”
UTampa recently launched an initiative known as “Internships for All,” she said, which builds upon long-standing efforts by faculty and staff. The goal is to provide paid internships to students, so they’re 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’s reputational excellence, focusing on academics.
Under the direction of outgoing Provost David Stern, the UTampa curriculum has evolved to meet society’s 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.
“As a young university, we are nimble; even so, generative artificial intelligence is advancing at lightning speed, so we’re launching the AI Across the University initiative to accelerate the great work that faculty have already begun,” she said.
“Our goal is to prepare UTampa graduates to ride the wave of change as AI becomes integrated into their future careers and future lives.”
The third pillar of focus, she said, is the University endowment, the financial foundation that supports UTampa’s long-term excellence.
“Over 90% of UTampa students receive financial aid and scholarships,” she said. “This is why we have intensified our focus on growing endowed student scholarships and endowed faculty and staff positions.”
She specified a few ways to support the University’s 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, “The Blade of Grass that Breaks the Blacktop”.
In the first line, Asili asked, “What does it mean to meet the moment?”
He went on to make a case for connection and resolve, found in a love for community.
Asked & Answered
Jen A. Miller ’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’s 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 ’25, president of Student Government, and Christina Hurley ’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 UTampa, 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, UTampa alumni and others to officially hear her vision for the University.
In her remarks, President Dahlberg noted three areas of focus: magnifying UTampa’s impact on people and communities, starting with student success; reputational excellence; and growing the University’s endowment.
“Our programs are built upon a strong liberal arts foundation. Exceptional faculty guide students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively and lead with purpose,” she said. “Experiential learning outside the classroom compliments academics, fulfilling the UTampa commitment of learning by thinking and learning by doing.”
UTampa recently launched an initiative known as “Internships for All,” she said, which builds upon long-standing efforts by faculty and staff. The goal is to provide paid internships to students, so they’re 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’s reputational excellence, focusing on academics.
Under the direction of outgoing Provost David Stern, the UTampa curriculum has evolved to meet society’s 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.
“As a young university, we are nimble; even so, generative artificial intelligence is advancing at lightning speed, so we’re launching the AI Across the University initiative to accelerate the great work that faculty have already begun,” she said.
“Our goal is to prepare UTampa graduates to ride the wave of change as AI becomes integrated into their future careers and future lives.”
The third pillar of focus, she said, is the University endowment, the financial foundation that supports UTampa’s long-term excellence.
“Over 90% of UTampa students receive financial aid and scholarships,” she said. “This is why we have intensified our focus on growing endowed student scholarships and endowed faculty and staff positions.”
She specified a few ways to support the University’s 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, “The Blade of Grass that Breaks the Blacktop.”In the first line, Asili asked, “What does it mean to meet the moment?”
He went on to make a case for connection and resolve, found in a love for community.
Jen A. Miller ’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’s 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.
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