TULANE TALK

January 3, 2005

Dear Colleagues:

I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break with your family and friends. This past year was a good one for Tulane University because of the dedication and hard work of all of you. I am deeply appreciative of your efforts and look forward to another exciting and successful year for the university. I feel privileged to be president of this wonderful institution.

However, as we begin this new year, I am deeply distressed by the events that have taken place in Asia as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami. My heart and prayers go out to the countless people impacted by this tragedy. Every day I read the news and ask myself what I, or the university, can do to be of assistance to those in such need. I plan to discuss the options with the university’s senior officers this week. In the meantime, I encourage you to send any suggestions you may have to me at http@tulane.edu and to provide assistance in any way you feel appropriate. Here is a link to various agencies providing relief http://www.google.com/tsunami_relief.html.

Let us hope and pray together that 2005 is a year of peace and relief for those less fortunate in the U.S. and around the world. Let us also continue to use our individual and collective talents and skills to make a difference for positive change in our communities.