ISU President Gregory Geoffroy looked back on the past year’s achievements and forward to this year’s agenda at the University Convocation Monday afternoon in the Memorial Union.

Achievements noted at the ceremony included seven new facilities that opened this year across campus.

“This has been the greatest yearly change in infrastructure in ISU history,” Geoffroy said.

Geoffroy also spoke of the year ahead, calling it a “planning year.”

One of the priorities this year is to reverse the declining enrollment.

“Current enrollment is 26,380 — 1,000 less than it was last year,” Geoffroy said.

Geoffroy said enrollment drops were caused by several things, including tuition increases, budget cuts and the world events.

A decline in the number of students in Iowa high schools was another cause for the decreased enrollment, Geoffroy said.

He said to increase enrollment, the university must become more effective at recruiting freshmen and transfer students.

“We want to make transfer to ISU more seamless,” Geoffroy said.

Enrollment-based budget incentives are another way to improve enrollment, Geoffroy said.

“Colleges that increase enrollment will see incentives,” he said.

Geoffroy finished his address on the year to come saying, “We have much to be proud of and much to look forward to.”

An awards ceremony was also included in the convocation. Faculty and staff from across campus were honored.

“We are pleased to recognize so many outstanding faculty and professionals,” said Sanjeev Agarwal, professor of marketing and president of the Faculty Senate.

Three faculty members were honored with the title of distinguished professor, Iowa State’s highest academic honor.

This honor recognizes faculty who have excelled in areas including teaching, research and university service.

Many additional awards were given to faculty members across campus.

Rex Heer, graphic designer for the Center for Learning in Excellence and Teaching, and past president of the Professional and Scientific Council gave the closing address.

“[These faculty are] the force that drives ISU forward,” Heer said.