University of Akron president Scott Scarborough says the university needs to move towards being a national university.

That's what he said Tuesday in his "State of the University Address", where LeBron James' new commercial for the university was unveiled.

LeBron will join first lady Michelle Obama for an event at UA tomorrow.

In his address, Scarborough recognized the University's local strengths - but says its reach needs to expand.

"We have to become more of a university with a national reach, an international reach, and we're at that time," Scarborough said in his address. "That's the reason why it feels uncomfortable at the moment, because we are making a transition in character from merely a regional, state university to a national university with an international reach."

Scarborough says recruiting is expanding beyond the traditional focus in the Northeast Ohio area.

He says UA should also target potential students in places like Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Scarborough once again highlighted the University of Akron's polytechnic direction, and said again that it will not short circuit things like arts and the humanities.