VIDEO: State of the University Address is this Thursday
President Armacost kicks off the year with an invitation to multiple events this Thursday, Aug. 20
UND President Andrew Armacost welcomes everyone back to campus this week with the help of Meloney Linder Mecklenburg, vice president for Marketing & Communications.
Armacost talks about three significant events, all happening on the same day, in his first video message of the 2026-27 academic year.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, the UND community is encouraged to attend:
- State of the University Address, 10 a.m., Memorial Union and livestream
- Picnic with the Prez, 11 a.m., University House at 1 Yale Drive
- Lift-Off Showcase, 4:30 p.m., Gorecki Alumni Center
Linder Mecklenburg takes the lead in asking Armacost questions about these events — a swap from the typical style of Armacost interviewing his guests.
The State of the University Address, Armacost says, is an event that’s been held for the past four years in which he and other University leaders talk about the year previous and look forward to the new academic year.
In addition to introducing a new “word of the year” to guide and inspire the UND community, Armacost will also help unveil the UND Community Quilt that has been in the works since last December. Displays will be available to learn more about the 144 squares making up the finished piece.
“Picnic with the Prez” immediately follows the address at the president and First Lady’s residence, University House, located at 1 Yale Drive on campus. The picnic is an opportunity to get together, catch up and honor what we do as a campus, Armacost says.
RSVPs for the picnic were requested by Thursday, Aug. 13, to anticipate and accommodate attendees.
Later that day, the Center for Innovation is hosting its Lift-Off Showcase at the Gorecki Alumni Center. This showcase will feature faculty who have worked toward commercializing their University-based research and intellectual property as part of the CFI’s Innovation Moonshot Accelerator program.
With students moving in during Welcome Weekend, just days after these events, Armacost says, “What a way to begin the semester!”
