evidence: One of my favorite quotes is attributed to Abraham Lincoln and Peter Drucker, "the best way to predict the future is to create it." I’ve shared these words with graduates during commencement, with faculty and staff members during meetings, and once again it rings true, as we reflect on the accomplishments of 2016 and focus on what we want to achieve in the coming year. [...] As we look toward 2017, and we all work to ‘create the future,’ I am excited to build upon the foundation we have set this year with initiatives such as the Innovation Grant Program. I look forward to further developing the innovative programs and services that keep the National University System a network of distinctive, leading-edge universities.