This week has been book-ended by major natural events that have garnered the attention of people across the nation and globe. The solar eclipse that occurred on Monday was spectacular and fun. It brought everyone a renewed perspective of our solar system and how our planet earth, moon and sun have orbits that periodically create amazing events like the solar eclipse. We were pleased that students and faculty from engineering and science as well as education were able to engage in this event during a trip to Carbondale, Illinois, where they released a weather balloon with instruments to collect data during the total eclipse. And as the week comes to a close, we are in the midst of experiencing the wrath of Hurricane Harvey and get a renewed perspective of our weather system and the huge impacts storms like this have on our planet. We pray that those in Harvey’s path will be safe and spared from major disaster. Kathy and I experienced the solar eclipse while returning Monday from a long week-end in Branson. We enjoyed taking Kathy’s Mom there for a get-away and to enjoy some shopping and a couple of shows. On Tuesday, I drove over to Bossier City to meet with others at the Cyber Innovation Center to discuss future projects. While there, I stopped by to see progress of the construction of our Academic Success Center and Cyber Training Center in the new BPCC STEM Building. It is looking great and we expect to move in by November.   Late Tuesday, Tommy McClelland and I gave Kathy, Mayor Ronny Walker & Heather a tour of the new Pressbox and Suites. We are excited about this great addition to our athletics complex. Kathy and Ryan Richard are in the midst of planning the game-day activities for the presidential suite. On Wednesday, I caught up on things in the office and welcomed Guidance Counselors to campus before heading down to Baton Rouge for University of Louisiana System Presidents Council and Board Meetings. These meetings provide great opportunities for us to interact with our colleagues from other institutions, the system staff and our board members. Friday morning, I was back in the office for half a day (we are on a 4-1/2 day week summer schedule) before heading over to Bastrop for a short visit with my Mom. When we returned to Ruston, I made a trip around campus to see progress on our numerous construction progress. Everyone is working hard to get ready for our students who will begin to arrive in force around Labor Day! Here are a few of my favorite pics for the week: