[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 12, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H6825-H6826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. LES GUICE, PRESIDENT OF LOUISIANA 
                            TECH UNIVERSITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Louisiana (Ms. Letlow) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. LETLOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the retirement of 
a dear friend and respected member of the Ruston, Louisiana, community, 
the president of Louisiana Tech University, Dr. Les Guice.
  President Guice has tirelessly served Louisiana Tech in multiple 
capacities over the course of 45 years and recently completed his 10th 
year as the university's president.
  He graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1976 with a bachelor of arts in 
architecture, earning a master's degree in civil engineering in 1978, 
and served as an assistant professor in the Department of Civil 
Engineering. He was promoted to associate professor in 1981. After 
obtaining his Ph.D. in civil engineering from Texas A&M in 1988, he 
earned a full professorship and became the permanent department head of 
civil engineering.
  President Guice impacted countless students in the classroom before 
serving as the dean of the College of Engineering and Science in the 
late 1990s. His extensive and impressive list of accomplishments at 
Louisiana Tech

[[Page H6826]]

speaks to President Guice's dedication to students and faculty, as well 
as his unwavering commitment to excellence and higher education.

  His leadership facilitated ground-
breaking faculty and student research, multiple national and global 
rankings, historic enrollments and graduations, notable philanthropic 
campaigns, and the innovative expansion of the school's campus.
  President Guice kindled public and private partnerships, bridging the 
gap between government resources and private-sector efficiency. He 
truly understood the concept of ``town and gown'' by working diligently 
with Ruston local officials to make sure it always felt like that 
special college town where students could enjoy both the campus as well 
as the beautiful amenities the city of Ruston has to offer.
  He consistently inspired both students and faculty to seize their 
potential, ultimately enabling the university to achieve higher goals 
year after year. He promoted diverse perspectives among his teams and 
encouraged each person around him to pursue their passions, and then he 
would give them the runway to fly.
  I remember attending an event where President Guice was giving a 
campus update to the community. He asked all of his faculty and staff 
to stand up. He gave all the credit for every success that Louisiana 
had under his presidency to them. That is the kind of man President 
Guice is: always working behind the scenes, giving credit to others, 
and delighting in their successes.
  There is a reason people call Louisiana Tech a family. You can't help 
but feel it when you are on their campus. That kind of culture comes 
from the top down.
  Kristi Stake, a professor at Louisiana Tech, said it best when I 
asked her about him. She said that Dr. Guice never wanted the focus to 
be on him. He always put the spotlight on the people around him, 
especially the students. He accomplished a lot that people will 
probably never know.
  President Guice continuously put students' success as his top 
priority as he created a thriving environment where students felt 
welcome. He supported the development of strong academic programs, a 
robust school culture, and a place where students could be successful.
  We know that beside every strong man is often an equally strong 
woman. Kathy Guice has served selflessly by his side as the first lady 
of Louisiana Tech. They have opened their home to countless students, 
faculty, and staff, helping to cultivate that warm family environment.

                              {time}  1100

  Also not lost on me are the sacrifices a person makes when they are 
in public service, especially the toll it takes on your family life. 
Nevertheless, Kathy was always up for the challenge, making everyone 
feel welcome. She is the ultimate steel magnolia, and I thank her for 
her service.
  Today, I echo thousands of Louisianians in celebrating President 
Guice's retirement from his influential career at Louisiana Tech 
University and his extensive legacy that will continue to grow and 
thrive because of programs, innovation, and partnerships that he helped 
to form during his tenure. He will be fondly remembered by friends, 
faculty, and students, and his work will continue to benefit the 
community. He may be retiring, but we know he will always be there 
cheering on the Bulldogs.
  I thank Dr. Guice. He transformed an entire region, and for that we 
will be forever grateful.

                          ____________________