From the desk of President Leslie K. Guice

A week of TECHSPYs, National Champs, Tech & Tails and AvFest

Apr 29, 2017 | Weekly Update

As the end of the academic year end comes into sight, it becomes a busy but fun time at Louisiana Tech. There have been many activities on campus and across the community this week as our faculty, students and alumni come together to celebrate accomplishments for the year. I have also had numerous students, prospective students, alumni and friends stop by my office for a visit. And I have been meeting with members of my administrative team as we consider reorganization of some functions and responsibilities of my cabinet. Monday evening, Kathy and I went to the TECHSPYs. We enjoyed visiting with many of the student-athletes who were in attendance and I was honored to present the Presidential Award to Katie Sloan (soccer) and Xavier Woods (football) for their outstanding athletic and academic accomplishments.

Enjoying learning about the “Call me Mister” program from JSU students

On Tuesday, we welcomed visitors from Jackson State University who came to tell us about a special program named “Call me Mister” for attracting more black males into education programs.  I also welcomed to campus my colleague Dennis Epps, Chancellor of Louisiana Delta Community College, to sign an agreement that provides his staff with better access to our graduate programs. On Wednesday, I headed over to Bossier Parish Community College to visit with Chancellor Rick Bateman to discuss more collaborations between our two institutions. On Thursday, I was very proud to present the National Championship trophy to our Powerlifting Team led by Josh Chovanek and AJ MacFarland. The team is now making plans to compete in the World Championships in South Africa. This is the first time that our entire team has been selected to participate in that competition. Congrats to our IronDawgs! Later Thursday, I traveled to Monroe to participate in a reception with the Tom Scott Foundation and those students who have been recipients of the Foundation’s scholarship program. I left that event to head back to Bossier City for the Tech & Tails event hosted by the NW TAG group and Argent Financial Group. This is always one of the best alumni events of the year. We were pleased that several leaders and employees of our industry partner, CSRA, joined us for the event.

Professional aviation alumni at Prez’s reception for AVFest

On Friday, Kathy and I hosted faculty and alumni of our professional aviation program who are having a week-end celebration of the 50-year anniversary of that program. It truly has a distinguished history of producing some of the nation’s top pilots. And the program has attracted students from all across the nation, even back in its early days. The alumni have been very supportive of our program and return to campus each year for a get-together called AvFest. I understand that the Ruston airport has been particularly busy!   Here are a few of my favorite pics for the week:    

Katie Angel and Ari Mendiola of Tech Cheer stop by for a chat

Courtney Nash of Wesley and Weichong Tang come for a visit

               

With Chancellor Dennis Epps

Diamond Dog Nate Harris accepts Team of Year TECHSPY award

                   

Recognizing National Champ Powerlifting Team

CSRA CEO Larry Prior joins us for Tech & Tails 10 (Courtesy of Tom Morris)

               

Carson Craig, one of our Tech students who received the Scott Foundation scholarship

Showing Cyber Storm video at Tech & Tails (courtesy of Tom Morris)