Things have been quite busy for me since being named Tech’s 14^th President by the University of Louisiana System Board on December 4, 2012. I am most grateful for the tremendous support of so many people during and after the search process. My first action was to form a transition team to advise and assist me in planning for this day.  Actually, my first action was to lead the search team for our football coach. With the help of a strong search committee and the Athletics Council, we found an excellent coach in Skip Holtz.  I look forward to some more great Tech football this season under his leadership. I have tried to get around and visit as many members of the Tech Family and the community that I can.  It was really important to me to go around and visit every academic, administrative, athletic, and service unit on the campus.  It was a great experience for me and I appreciate the openness and warm welcome that I received.  I was also grateful for Vice President Terry McConathy joining me for most of these meetings. I have also met with different student groups, attended department activities and year-end events, met with several department, college and university advisory boards, and even had the opportunity to work a couple of hours in the Tech greenhouses.   I have spoken with civic groups in Ruston and Shreveport, sharing with them our vision for the future of Tech.  One of my greatest experiences has been Tech alumni gatherings in Shreveport, Bossier, Dallas, Houston, Baton Rouge and the Northshore.  I was able to renew friendships with many of my former colleagues and students. It was also a great treat for me to meet with former Tech lettermen at one of their breakfasts at Squire Creek. It has been important for me to spend time in Baton Rouge and I have been there regularly to visit with the Board of Supervisors, Board of Regents, the legislature, the Louisiana Committee of 100, and others. I have also had the opportunity to host a few of them on campus, and that is something that I believe will be most important to continue into the future. We have worked with the City of Ruston and other community leaders to strengthen connections with Tech.  You should expect to see us release a joint Tech & Ruston community calendar before long. On a personal note, my greatest joy of the transition period happened on May 25th when Bret and Christy delivered my first grandchild, Christopher.  He helped me celebrate today’s big move into C-USA. The journey has just begun.