All Tech alumni should recall the tradition of taking a break from classes because of Mardi Gras. That tradition was continued this week as the campus was largely vacated by students and faculty on Monday and Tuesday. Faculty and staff returned on Wednesday and students returned on Thursday. Many of us took advantage of the quiet time to catch up on other things. I spent some time writing personal notes to donors and prospective students. Kathy and I celebrated Mardi Gras by relaxing at home and sampling a King Cake. Wednesday and Thursday were packed with administrative meetings and campus visitors. On Friday, I trekked to Bossier City to have a couple of meetings at our new Bossier Center and catch up on construction progress of the 4th floor space there. While in Bossier, I met with the Executive Director of the Louisiana Tech Research Institute, Curtis McGiffin, who is diligently working to bring new research and training opportunities to Tech and our region.       It was great to see some of the new LED lights in the Quad come to light on Friday.  This is just one part of a significant project to enhance the Quad and Keeny Circle as part of an overall campus landscaping & enhancement plan.  We wanted to start in the Quad, the core of our campus, and begin to develop out from there.  In addition to the lighting project, we have engaged a landscape master planner and an arborist to help us determine how to increase the health of our existing trees, remove trees that are near the end of life, and plant new trees that will restore the core of our campus while laying the foundation for the Campus Green that will eventually run from Keeny Hall to Memorial Gym.  Thanks to a generous donor, we have initiated the Quad & Keeny Circle tree project that will hopefully be completed before the end of Spring.  This project is preserving and enhancing the meaning of our Alma Mater, with its pleasant walks and noble trees phrase, for future generations.