From the desk of President Leslie K. Guice

A Week for the 100,000 Strong at Tech

May 21, 2017 | Weekly Update

Spring Commencement….. What a week! A week with so many emotions as our students were still pushing deadlines, finishing projects and taking finals. There were parties, pinnings and get-togethers. And a lot of congratulations and good-byes. I also took some time walking around campus to chat with students and faculty. Several students also came by my office for a visit before they graduated or left for the summer.

Jim Robken and Champ visit during Faculty/Staff BBQ

Kathy and I hosted a BBQ appreciation lunch for faculty and staff on Monday and the Tonk was packed! Late Monday evening, we hosted the Midnight Breakfast for all of our students.  And again, the Tonk was packed! We all enjoyed this special time together. I also enjoyed my regular year-end visit on Monday afternoon with the faculty and staff of the University Senate. On Wednesday, I was able to bum a ride on a plane to Baton Rouge to participate in the Committee of 100 meeting.  Governor Edwards and several key representatives, senators and administrators gave updates on the legislative session. Thursday evening, the Alumni Association and University Foundation hosted the annual Benefactors Dinner and Celebration for some of our major contributors. We also had some of our students there who had been beneficiaries of the contributions made by our donors. That was a wonderful evening!

Our largest ever graduating class

I spent much of Friday in final preparations for Saturday’s special commencement. The 320th Commencement exercise on Saturday included several milestones, notably our largest graduating class ever (973 students) that propelled the total number of graduates over Tech’s 123-year history to 100,914 graduates. The 10 doctoral graduates for Spring Quarter also gave Tech its largest ever annual number of doctoral graduates (55). And we were pleased to present President Emeritus Dan Reneau with the Tower Medallion and membership in the Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Governor John Bel Edwards was our commencement speaker, bringing even more significance to the special day for our “100,000 Strong” alumni. Here are a few of my favorite pics of the week:

Faculty & Staff serve students at Midnight Breakfast

Keeney at Midnight in the Quad

               

Marlon Watts & Nick Clark have quite a life story (see wrldinvsn.com)

2017 Spring grad La’Darrius Thomas also has an incredible life story (see my Facebook)

               

Committee of 100 panel in Baton Rouge

Student trying to give a campus tour when Prez interrupts…..

               

Miguel Jimenez from Mexico

Abi Olsen from New Orleans

               

New Pisces Bridge at MedCamps thanks to School of Design

Three past Miss Techs at the Benefactors Dinner

                 

Dan & Linda Reneau with son John and daughter Dana

Kendra Wessels, Class of 2017