Hannah, the 8th grade daughter of loyal Louisiana Tech alumni Phillip and Melanie Parker, recently asked me for a day of job-shadowing. She made it clear that she wanted someday to be President of Tech. So, Hannah spent the day with me on Monday and sat in on meetings with my communications director, an architect who is helping us assess the condition of Wyly Tower, an alumnus who is working to build our Letterman’s Club, and my Chief Innovation Officer. I also took her over to Tolliver for lunch and spent some time visiting with students, faculty and staff while taking her on a walking tour across campus. Hannah and I also spent some time discussing other things that I might do on typical day. I hope that the day with me did not discourage her from pursuing her dreams, but I am confident that someday she will be leading some organization, and I would be thrilled if it were to be Tech. Before Hannah arrived at the office on Monday, I enjoyed a short visit with legendary and loved coach E.J. Lewis. E.J. and a few of his friends get together on Monday mornings for breakfast and I was pleased to be invited to join them. I was proud to present E.J. a Leadership Presidential Medallion for all that he has done for Louisiana Tech over the past six decades. On Tuesday, I drove to Baton Rouge to chair a couple of Regents’ master planning and research-related committee meetings. It is always good to interact with my university and economic development colleagues around the state. We are continuing to develop plans and programs to advance research, technology transfer and commercialization programs that will enhance the long-term competitiveness of Louisiana. On Wednesday, my administrative team and I met with architects who are evaluating and planning our new student housing project. We are still in the evaluation phase, but are excited to see the plans begin to come together. This project will include several new housing units, renovations of others, new parking, sidewalks and streetscapes that will transform our campus environment for students while helping us achieve our goals for Tech 2020. VP Jim King is doing a great job in leading this initiative. Later Wednesday, I welcomed a team from CenturyLink who were visiting with us about a collaborative project. I also visited with a prospective student, had a conference call with our fund-raising consultants, had an athletics budget meeting. I was also able to attend the football signing day reception on Wednesday at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center. With this newest class of outstanding student-athletes that Coach Skip Holtz and his staff have recruited, the future for Bulldog football looks bright and we all have much to be excited about in the years to come. Thanks for your leadership, Coach Holtz! Thursday was another full day of meetings for me, but the highlight of the day was a reception for the Student Government Association, Union Board and Tech Leadership Class members at the president’s home. We had a great time and I had the opportunity to thank these exceptional students for their leadership with student activities on campus. The programs and activities that they lead throughout they year have a tremendous impact on the learning, development and quality of life of our student body. Kathy and I enjoyed getting to know them a little better. We also had the opportunity to let a few of them showcase their talents by playing the Steinway piano in the house. I love our students!