Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef, in his final State of the Campus address, talked about budget challenges old and new, the promise of UC Davis’ future, and the next chapter in his academic career.

Vanderhoef, who plans to step down in June after 15 years as chancellor and 10 years before that as provost and executive vice chancellor, delivered his address to the Academic Senate’s Representative Assembly on Feb. 24. Here are some highlights:

The budget crisis of the early 1990s — “It was not easy, but, together, we navigated those processes of change and self-renewal — the toughest test of greatness.”

On today’s budget crisis — “I hope ... that even in the face of such challenge, we will always pursue innovations and new ideas.”

The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts — It “has changed the region and our campus, with more than 125,000 attendees each year, including 20,000 schoolchildren.”

On the senate’s collaboration with the administration — “It’s this kind of caring and commitment that characterizes the Davis campus so well.”

Record research funding ($586 million last year) — “That’s a remarkable achievement and a clear indicator of the high quality of our faculty.”

About being offered the job of chancellor 15 years ago — “I told (then-UC President Jack Peltason) I was thrilled. I still am.”

On his future — “As I anticipate re-entering the world of the faculty, I can’t imagine a better human and intellectual community to be a part of than UC Davis.”

Read the full text of his speech.