Oakley STEM Center progress: As we prepare for a new semester, we have many reasons to show our TTU Pride. One strong example is the success we are already demonstrating with our Oakley STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Center. While groundbreaking for the building is not expected until this fall, operations have been in full swing for more than a year. Fund raising continues, but some of the STEM-related programs we've already conducted or planned this year include hands-on engineering and science workshops for high school and middle school teachers; summer math institutes for middle school and special education teachers; the Engineering-A-Future program for middle school girls; a Lego League robotics competition for middle school students; an after-school STEM program for middle school students; our Governor's School in Information Technology Leadership for high school students; our President's Academy for Emerging Technologies for high school students; and a new, one-week Calculus Tune-Up Workshop for incoming students. I want to thank all of the faculty and staff for their tremendous collaboration in making these programs so successful.

Nursing building: As you'll see in the article in today's Tech Times, we still face several construction funding challenges for the new School of Nursing building. However, those challenges are met by our determination to begin this project this fall. Our goal is to break ground on the site by October.

Unveiling a new brand in Athletics: Our first home football game on Aug. 31 will kick off a new season and a new attitude for TTU Sports. Before the game, the Athletics Department will unveil a set of TTU Sports logos featuring the first official mascot art. Our next Tech Times issue on Aug. 25 will give more details about the tailgate party unveiling and several other TTU Sports plans for the evening. In the meantime, be sure to show your TTU Pride!