St. Edward’s University President George E. Martin gave his semester’s address to students and faculty, giving updates over an array of campus improvements and honors.

The March 8 address in the Mabee Ballroom included congratulating faculty of notably long time-in-service, scholarship winners from among the student body and appraisal of the overall state of the university and plans going forward.

Martin covered the ‘Campus Master Plan,’ the impending $375 million plan for comprehensive overhaul and construction of several buildings on campus, including significant work being done on Main Building and Holy Cross Hall.

He also described the new construction coming, emphasizing a new 450 bed residence hall to be built on the south-east side of campus.

The residence hall, meant to ease some of the on-campus housing pressure created by rising enrollment numbers, will help tie the community experience of that part of campus together, Martin said. The plan also calls for the construction of a new operations building for the grounds staff.

Martin also recognized a number of faculty members from across the university for their steady service, including faculty entering their 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th and even 45th years with the school.

Of particular note, though he was unable to attend, was Brother John Perron, honored for his 45 years with St. Edward’s. Perron has played a number of roles at the university, including English professor, director of freshman studies and architect of the English Writing and Rhetoric major.

This year’s 15 Fulbright scholarship finalists were also celebrated, including senior Hayley Barone, who received a full grant to design and carry out her research.

“It makes our hearts burst with pride when we see students win Fulbrights,” Martin said.

The Fulbright scholarship is a competitive scholarship that provides grants for students to conduct research or teach abroad in the spirit of furthering international understanding and cooperation, according to the Fulbright Program website.

The president also provided a brief overview of the school’s recent successes in other areas. He touted the recent homecoming events as a success across the board, from fundraising goals to the social experience.

Martin also referred to the school’s receipt of the NCAA President’s Award for the second consecutive year, the school’s across-the-board-increases in applicants to the school from all categories and the new partnership with Management Center Innsbruck in Austria.

The university’s McNair scholars, past and present were also recognized. The McNair scholaraship was created to give first generation college students or students from traditionally academically underrepresented segments of society better odds of achieving a post-graduate degree.

Martin closed by asking students and faculty to be ambassadors for the school, demonstrating to the world what makes the university great through their lives and actions.

“Everybody here gives part of their heart to the students that we serve. And that’s how they become who they become,” Martin said.