TULANE TALK

March 21, 2014

Good Morning:

I am thrilled by the number of you who have already signed up for our annual faculty and staff Day of Service, which will take place on April 21. We will be out in force once again this year at City Park, the United Saints organization, Second Harvest, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans, Arc of Greater New Orleans and STARC. We will sort food and Mardi Gras beads, clear vacant lots, garden, mulch, paint, build, install art and join together in numerous other ways to improve our city and serve our neighbors. In true New Orleans fashion we will also have a great time.

I never gave much thought to the concept of “legacy” until a reporter recently asked me what I thought mine would be at Tulane. “Katrina, athletics reform, graduation rates?” the reporter offered as I paused to consider his question. Finally, I told him that I would like to be remembered for the contribution I made to enhancing and expanding Tulane’s tradition of public service. Of course this is as much your legacy as it is mine. Never once was your response anything less than extraordinary when I presented a community service challenge, whether it was developing service learning or asking you to contribute to our annual toy drive.

This has made all the difference in my presidency and in my life. Because of you, I cannot imagine a more noble undertaking than having served as president of Tulane. So let’s serve together one more time. If you have not already done so, please register for the Day of Service between now and April 4 at http://tulane.edu/wave-of-green/index.cfm.

Have a great weekend,