A WORD FROM
President Richard Carvajal
President's Update
November 2025
Dear Blazer Nation,
This is such a great time of year with the temperatures cooling off, the holidays closing in, and the end of fall semester in sight. There is plenty happening on campus, and I have some updates to share with you.
Interim Leadership
In case you missed it, interim leadership following my departure has been announced. University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Sonny Perdue named Dr. William “Bill” Crowe as interim president of VSU effective Jan. 1, 2026. Crowe has already begun working with me to get up to speed on things, and you have likely seen him around campus as well. He is a great choice to keep the momentum going here at VSU. Information about the presidential search will be forthcoming from the USG.
Ethics Awareness Week
Today marks the start of Ethics Awareness Week here at VSU. It’s a USG-wide initiative to ensure all 26 institutions are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Our Deputy Chief Audit Officer, Heidi Cox, has worked with the USG and a planning team here on campus to create some great activities and learning sessions. You can also nominate a student, faculty, or staff member for the Blazer Creed Awards. These awards go to students and employees who show integrity, civility, and citizenship day in and day out. The deadline for nominations is midnight tonight, so please go ahead and nominate someone as soon as possible. The links for that and the entire lineup of activities for Ethics Awareness Week are below.
Fall Commencement
We are less than six weeks away from Fall Commencement. Graduate School Commencement is set for Friday, December 12, and the Undergraduate Ceremony is on Saturday, December 13. Nearly 1,700 summer and fall graduates are set to celebrate all their hard work. Commencement is one of my favorite days of the year, and I look forward to celebrating with our graduates and families at “America’s Best Commencement.” You can learn more about Commencement and the events planned leading up to the big day by clicking the link below.
Lighting of the Palms
Get ready to officially kick off the holiday season at VSU with Lighting of the Palms. This year’s event is on Tuesday, December 2 at 6 p.m. Join us on the Front Lawn for music, games, holiday cheer, and of course an appearance by Santa Blaze. All students, faculty, staff, and the entire Valdosta-Lowndes County community are invited. I hope to see you there.
In Closing
While we are getting to the home stretch of the fall semester, there are still so many great events to attend here on campus. From theatre, music, and dance performances, to enjoying the sounds of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, to the men’s and women’s basketball seasons starting this month, and plenty of student organization events, there is something for everyone. Make the most of the last months of 2025 by enjoying some of the wonderful variety of events VSU has to offer.
Go Blazers!
Dr. Richard Carvajal
President