From the desk of President Leslie K. Guice

Kicking off Fall 2016 with a blast

Sep 10, 2016 | Weekly Update

This is one of the greatest times of the year at Louisiana Tech! Fall welcome week. Welcoming all of the students, faculty and staff back to campus for another great school year. I could not wait until all of our students returned, including the many new students that are just joining the Tech Family. Actually, some students have been arriving over the past couple of weeks to get organized for various groups coming in. The Tech Band of Pride has been on campus for a while and it has been exciting to hear them practice in the Aillet parking lot and stadium. Other students were here getting ready for rush and many other student activities. I was so impressed with all of our students who showed up on Labor Day to help all of our new freshmen move into student housing. Approximately 600 upperclassmen met new students and parents at the residential facilities and helped them carry their clothes, furniture, etc., from their cars to their rooms. I am so proud of these student leaders. And I am so thankful for all of our staff who also made this transition as smooth as possible. We also had two other special events this week: Freshmen Academic Convocation and the Faculty/Staff Convocation. And there were many other activities for students scheduled throughout this first week.  I really hated to leave Tech on the first day of class, but I had to head to Baton Rouge for Board of Regents and University of Louisiana System meetings on Thursday and Friday. Hope you enjoy a few of my favorite pics from this first week!
2016-bop-first-practice-at-joe

Christopher was excited to see the 2016 Band of Pride getting their first practice in The Joe! 200 strong!!

christopher-everly-elizabeth-rocking

This week was even more special with Christopher, Everly and Elizabeth here for visit.

                 
dog-haul-volunteers

600 student leaders showed up for Dog Haul on Labor Day!

freshmen-checking-in

Several hundred freshmen & others showed up to check in to housing on Labor Day.

             
bop-at-convocation-2

Band of Pride welcoming faculty & staff to Convocation

2016 Fall Faculty-Staff Meeting , Howard Center for the Performing Arts, Ruston, LA, Louisiana Tech University, Copyright:Louisiana Tech University.All Rights Reserved.(dcrowe@latech.edu) 318-257-4854

Kathy escorted to Convocation by her Top Dog

                 
rebecca-ben-erwin

Rebecca & Ben Haley lead freshmen in medallion walk around the Lady

freshmen-convocation

Welcoming freshmen to the Tech Family

               
michelle-duran-madison-byles-nelson-duran

Freshman Michelle Duran introduced to Tech by her brother Nelson and alum Madison Byles

community-students-in-plaza

Taste of Ruston: community shows up in the Plaza to welcome students to Ruston

               
loyal-blue-friday

Loyal Blue Friday at Railroad Park thanks to Mayor Ronny Walker. A new tradition for football weekends.

soccer

Kathy & I enjoyed watching Lady Techsters Soccer Friday evening. A GREAT turnout! Congrats for the big win!

                 
stacy-at-blue-fire-corridor

Stacy Gilbert introducing us to new space in Davison Hall for our superb new Communications/First Year Experience program for all freshmen: BLUE FIRE.

stacy-in-blue-fire-collab-space

Collaboration space in Davison for BLUE FIRE. Thanks to all of our faculty & staff who have worked so hard to create this great new experience for ALL freshmen.