TULANE TALK

February 6, 2008

I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Mardi Gras. I am sure you all noticed that this year’s Rex was former chair and current member of the Tulane Board, John Koerner. John certainly deserved this wonderful recognition.

Over the Mardi Gras holiday we also received a surprise request to host an on-campus speech by Sen. Barack Obama tomorrow morning. It took considerable effort for us to coordinate this event and its numerous details during a time when the city was virtually shut down. However, despite the challenges and hardships, I thought it was an important opportunity that we should not pass up.

Sen. Obama’s speech is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. tomorrow morning at Fogelman Arena. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. This event is open to the public, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to RSVP please visit http://www.la.barackobama.com/neworleans.
For security reasons, please do not bring bags or large purses. No signs or banners are permitted.

We are honored to have Sen. Obama speak on campus and, of course, welcome requests from any other remaining presidential candidates to address the university community. I hope you have an opportunity to attend this event in what looks like a very exciting and historic presidential election year.