This week offered a little something extra for our Tech Family. It began with an invitation to the DXL Frisco Bowl to play the SMU Mustangs. Congratulations to Coach Skip Holtz and the Bulldogs! Our team and fans are excited about this opportunity to celebrate in a prime recruiting area and home for many alumni and corporate partners. This week, we also offered something a little extra to our faculty and staff as a way to say thanks – a gumbo lunch in the Tonk. This is a special time of the year when Kathy and I can visit with folks from all across campus in a relaxed environment to have a little fellowship and let them know how much we appreciate their efforts. Thanks to Aramark for a great lunch! On Friday, Kathy and I joined Dean Don Schillinger to offer a gumbo lunch to our AE Phillips faculty & staff. On Tuesday evening, we hosted a dinner in our new Tech Bossier Center for a few of our friends who have been so instrumental in advancing our cyber initiatives. And we were able to thank a major benefactor, Scotty Moran, who made the leadership gift to establish our Academic Success Center in the heart of the National Cyber Research Park next to Bossier Parish Community College. The Cyber Innovation Center provided us with the 30,000 sf of space in the building being jointly used by BPCC. Mayor Lo Walker and the leadership of Bossier have been very supportive in creating this home for Tech in the NCRP. We were glad to have this opportunity to do a little something extra to thank them for their support. Governor Edwards joined us on Thursday morning for a ribbon-cutting event at the Bossier Center. There was an excellent turnout of people from all along the I-20 corridor.  Our contributing partners from AEP and CSRA were there to help us cut the ribbon. This new facility represents a powerful public-private partnership that brings together Louisiana Tech, Cyber Innovation Center, BPCC, Bossier City, Bossier Parish, the State of Louisiana and our corporate partners to create a nationally prominent cyber hub for education, research, workforce development and economic development. That morning, our admissions staff hosted an information session for guidance counselors from NW LA. My leadership team also met with BPCC Chancellor Rick Bateman and his team to begin making plans for new collaborations. While in NW Louisiana, Governor Edwards made an announcement about establishing a state-wide Cyber Commission which will bring even greater focus and impact for Louisiana’s cyber future. Governor Edwards also spoke to the Committee of 100 in Shreveport and focused many of his comments on cyber developments and the importance of education in continuing to advance these opportunities. Kathy and I enjoyed watching our Lady Techsters and Bulldogs play games in the TAC this week. We also hosted some friends and community leaders for a Christmas party. We typically host this event in the Prez’s rez, but decided to host it at the DAC because of the freezing weather on Friday. Here are a few of my favorite pics for the week: