Richard McCullough began by thanking the Florida Board of Governors and Florida State's Board of Trustees members in March for approving his three-year extension.
"It's been the honor of a lifetime and I'm humbled to be the leader of Florida State University," McCullough said. "We have a lot of momentum and I think we're doing things at a very high level and we'll continue to do that. We won't rest until we continue to improve every single day."
McCullough is deliberate when he talks, carefully choosing his words. He is soft spoken and thoughtful. The gravity of the moment was not lost on him. Nor was the journey: McCullough was a community college student who earned his bachelor's degree and a doctorate in organic chemistry at Johns Hopkins. A career that took him to Carnegie Mellon and Harvard helped him build a resume as a scientist, innovator and entrepreneur.
He chose to take part in FSU's presidential search, earning selection in the spring and Day 1 was Aug. 16, 2021. The last five years have seen McCullough, a Texas native who spent much of his academic time in Pittsburgh and Cambridge, Mass., embrace FSU as his new home — as well as one for his wife, Dr. Jai Vartikar — and spearhead initiatives across campus.
McCullough sets the tone for the big-picture direction of the university. In December 2022, he spoke before the groundbreaking of FSU's new football building and remarked that it and the new business school were his top priorities as president. Both projects were completed in the summer / fall of 2025, including a $65 million gift from Dr. Herbert Wertheim to establish the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence (FSU’s College of Business).
His STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) background also was critical in helping launch FSU Health with a $125 million appropriation from the Florida Legislature to construct a research and collaboration building. FSU also negotiated the transfer of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare real estate assets to the university.
He has also helped the FSU community heal through tragedy, an April 2025 shooting in the student union.
There have been just a few media interviews through the years with McCullough. The Osceola's request on Aug. 3 for an interview was neither scheduled nor declined. But with the five-year anniversary of his presidency, we felt it was timely to reflect on some of his achievements under McCullough's leadership.
There's no doubt a group of FSU football fans who wanted McCullough and FSU's leadership to take action and dismiss coach Mike Norvell. But McCullough, BOT chair Peter Collins and athletics officials opted to invest in the football front office last winter.
Dr. Richard McCullough and BOT chair Peter Collins often say they make a good team.
McCullough has also been a familiar face around FSU athletics, a passionate fan of the teams and has traveled to cheer on the soccer team's run to national titles in 2023 and 2025. He's often present at games around campus and enjoys connecting with FSU's athletes.
FSU is ranked No. 21 among public universities (by U.S. News & World Report) and has set fundraising records to spark future projects. Alumni, parents and friends contributed a record $235.4 million to FSU in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Below are some bullet-point achievements during McCullough's five years:
Graduation rates continue to climb, with 78 percent of students earning a bachelor's degree in four years or less (top 10 in the nation). And in a six-year window, the graduation rate is 86 percent.
More than 96,000 students applied for the summer/fall 2026 freshman class, competing for 6,000 spots.
FSU earned 4.5 stars on Money's five-star scale for the Best Colleges in America list, which evaluates schools based on their value to students. Money evaluates graduation rates, costs of attendance and financial aid.
The Princeton Review ranked FSU No. 2 in the nation for student experience.
FSU's law school is viewed No. 1 in the state.
Hired more than 200 new faculty per year for three consecutive years in one of the largest recruitment efforts in university history.
Increased research expenditures by 50% since 2021, reaching a record $488 million — the fastest growth rate in the State University System.
Supported faculty in submitting $1.22 billion in competitive research proposals in FY 2025.
Awarded $88 million contract from the U.S. Navy for FSU’s Center for Advanced Power Systems to develop advanced modeling, simulation and testing capabilities for the next generation of shipboard power and energy systems.
Invested $100 million in quantum science and engineering.
Secured a $98.4 million award from Triumph Gulf Coast to launch InSPIRE, advancing aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and regional workforce development.
Established the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases with support from the Florida Legislature and launched the Sunshine Genetics initiative.
Launched the Institute for Connecting Nutrition and Health (ICON-Health) to connect nutrition, health and policy through a research and data-driven approach and to explore the benefits of food as medicine.
This $65 million gift from Dr. Herbert Wertheim was the second largest in FSU’s history and includes a $50 million endowment, FSU’s largest ever for the university.
Received a $10 million gift to the College of Nursing from Bruce and Tracey Berkowitz and the Fairholme Foundation to help address Florida’s nursing shortage.
FSU's film school is ranked fourth among public schools by the Hollywood Reporter.
Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for 40 percent off to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn a $20 gift card at Alumni Hall
