CDU’s State of the University Address Highlights Growth and Resilience
CDU held its annual State of the University address on August 27, 2024, drawing hundreds of attendees from the CDU community to the Cobb Lawn. This year’s address, the 12th delivered by President and CEO Dr. David M. Carlisle, was themed “Community Founded: Standing Our Ground,” a testament to the university’s enduring commitment to health equity and social justice.
Dr. Carlisle, introduced by John Baackes, Chief Executive Officer of L.A. Care Health Plan and Chair of CDU’s Board of Trustees, focused on the university’s dedication to its mission in the face of ongoing challenges. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion is and will always be a central theme of our story, not just a chapter,” Dr. Carlisle affirmed, emphasizing CDU’s steadfast commitment to these principles. “DEI is in our DNA.”
Throughout the address, Dr. Carlisle highlighted the university’s continued growth and its impact on both students and the broader community. He shared stories of students and graduates who embody CDU’s mission, demonstrating how their education is preparing them to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities.
The address also recognized the significant contributions of CDU’s partners and donors, whose support is essential to the university’s success. Dr. Carlisle called out the monumental $75 million donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the largest in the university’s history, as a transformative gift that will significantly bolster the institution’s efforts to reduce health disparities and support its diverse student body.
He expressed deep gratitude to all donors, whose investments are helping to ensure that CDU can continue to provide vital resources and scholarships to empower the next generation of healthcare leaders.
A recording of the speech is available here to watch.