Chancellor Panu's "State of the University Address" Highlights Progress at USCB
USCB Chancellor Al M. Panu delivered his annual State of the University address to faculty and staff on Dec. 12, 2025, reflecting on a year marked by collaboration, innovation, and record-setting achievements across the »ĆąĎĘÓƵ Beaufort.
Panu emphasized that USCB’s greatest strength is its people—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners—whose collective efforts have propelled the university forward. Collaboration, he noted, has been a defining theme throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, driving progress in academics, athletics, enrollment, community engagement, and student success.
In Academic Affairs, faculty and students worked closely to deliver high-impact learning experiences. Nearly 70 percent of students participated in experiential learning opportunities that connect classroom instruction with real-world application. Faculty-led research continued to grow, securing $4.4 million in external funding and earning significant recognition. Faculty honors included Professor Caroline Sawyer’s Governor’s Award in the Humanities, Professor Cindy Lahar’s Carolina Trustees Award, and Professor Libby Ricardo’s Arts Integration Award—achievements that Panu said reflect a culture of mentorship, partnership, and shared vision.
Athletics celebrated a historic milestone as the Sand Sharks earned full active membership in NCAA Division II. On the field and in the classroom, student-athletes demonstrated excellence. Men’s Golf won the Peach Belt Conference Championship, Men’s Basketball finished second in the conference championship, and Track and Field athletes earned two gold medals. Academically, 149 student-athletes were named to the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Academic Honor Roll, underscoring USCB’s commitment to well-rounded student success.
Community engagement also expanded significantly. From Chamber Music at Palmetto Bluff to the university’s 20th anniversary events and OLLI programming, USCB strengthened its regional presence by bringing new audiences to campus and increasing community participation. Panu noted that cross-departmental collaboration has been central to these efforts, with initiatives that also boosted basketball attendance and revenue.
Development and »ĆąĎĘÓƵ Relations reported strong philanthropic momentum, engaging nearly 700 donors and raising $3.3 million in support of the university. Seven new scholarships were established, ensuring lasting impact on student access and affordability. New alumni events and awards further strengthened lifelong connections between graduates and the university.
Enrollment and student success reached record levels. Nearly 4,000 applications were processed, resulting in a record 759 new first-year and transfer students enrolled. The university awarded $23.3 million in financial aid and achieved its highest-ever first-year retention rate of 68 percent.
Operational improvements were also highlighted. Under new leadership, Finance and Operations completed a strategic restructuring, improved financial reporting systems, increased transparency, and implemented a cost-of-living salary increase for faculty and staff. Marketing and Communications expanded USCB’s reach with 1.5 billion advertising impressions, nearly 870,000 social media engagements, and a 54 percent increase in website traffic. Meanwhile, Information Technology Support Services upgraded campus infrastructure and resolved more than 2,000 Helpdesk tickets in six months.
Panu concluded by celebrating national recognition from U.S. News & World Report, which named USCB among the Top 12 Public Regional Colleges in the South—an achievement he credited to a shared commitment to collaboration, excellence, and the university’s mission.
-USCB-
CW 12/16/25