Coastal Carolina University President Ronald R. Ingle delivered his final "State of the University" address on Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Wheelwright Auditorium.

Topics including the need for a new science building and the importance of embracing change at universities will be addressed by Ingle.

Ingle will retire June 30, 2007 after serving as president of the university for 13 years. A national search for a new president began earlier this year, and a new president is expected to take office July 1, 2007.

Ingle became Coastal's first president on July 1, 1993, when the institution gained its status as an independent, public university, ending its 34-year affiliation with the University of South Carolina.

During his presidency, Ingle has led the institution to unprecedented levels of growth and achievement. The current enrollment of nearly 8,000 students is the largest in the university's history.

The full text is his speech is at http://www.coastal.edu/about/2006address.html.