BGU | PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2026

From the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

connection to our mission firsthand. I am proud to welcome them into our extended family and look forward to engaging with them at our upcoming Board meeting in October. The Board of Governors will convene under the theme “Our Roots Define the Path Forward.” Although BGU is still a relatively young institution, its philanthropic roots are deep and enduring. We remain forever indebted to the devoted supporters whose vision and generosity helped build our campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sde Boker, and Eilat, and transformed BGU into the research powerhouse it is today. As a new chapter unfolds and the North Campus takes shape before our eyes, I wish to thank the new generation of supporters whose contributions, from scholarships and programs to laboratories, I extend special thanks to our global leadership, including both those who have stood beside us for decades and those who have joined us more recently, for their invaluable perspectives and strategic guidance through the Officers Forum, which advises the University at the broad, strategic level. I also wish to thank the many members of the Board who contribute their time and expertise through participation in BOG committees. Your engagement provides essential oversight and support across the University’s work. The Board is proud to partner in the University’s newest initiative, Prisma Negev, a broad cross-sector effort that leverages BGU’s strengths in collaboration with local government and industry to create a critical mass of excellence and innovation in the region. I am proud and honored to lead the Board of Governors during this pivotal period and urge all our friends and supporters to continue sharing this mission. I look forward to seeing everyone in October. Your insight, expertise, and dedication remain among our greatest assets as we work together to define the path forward. With hope for continued quiet, lecture halls, and entire buildings, reflect a profound commitment to the Negev and the State of Israel.

Dear Friends and Members of the Board of Governors, As I write this message, life in Beer-Sheva is gradually returning to a semblance of normalcy after a very challenging time for Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the Jewish people worldwide, and the global community. The University experienced the direct impact of Iranian missile strikes on campus in June 2025 and the ongoing burden of extended reserve duty continues to be carried by many of our students, faculty, and staff. While these disruptions are felt deeply across our community, I would also like to express my relief and gratitude that the final hostages held in Gaza have returned home, even as we remember and honor those we have lost. Their absence, and their return, has been profoundly felt across our community. Abroad, shifting geopolitics and a troubling rise in antisemitism have further underscored this moment. And yet, despite these challenges, we have emerged stronger: more determined, more united, and more convinced than ever of BGU’s essential role in shaping the future of the Negev and contributing to a better world. I am deeply grateful to our friends and supporters around the globe who rallied in support of our mission. Your response to the emergency fundraising campaign launched in the wake of the missile strikes was truly heartening and made an immediate, meaningful difference. Thousands of student reservists received grants that eased their financial stress, and we were able to immediately begin repairs while planning to build back better. This year also marked continued growth for the BGU family. New members from around the world joined our Board of Governors, and a new associate organization was established in Germany. I warmly welcome our new partners, whose experience, commitment, and connection will enrich our shared work, and look forward to the collaboration ahead. We are equally committed to fostering the next generation of lay leadership. The Zin Fellows and Halutz programs once again brought together two exceptional groups of young leaders, offering them a deeper understanding of BGU and its impact. It is always heartening to see their energy and

Lloyd Goldman Chairman of the Board of Governors