TULANE TALK

April 25, 2003

Good Morning:

I received a very special visitor from Canada this week, Ambassador Michael F. Kergin, who was in town as part of a visit to strengthen his country’s educational and cultural ties to our region. As you know, Louisiana’s connection to Canada dates back to the 1700s when French colonists who had settled in Acadia, now Nova Scotia, were exiled and came to Louisiana. Here they founded the Cajun culture that has so enriched our state.

What you may not know, is that today Canada is a vital trading partner of the United States with more than $500 billion in trade exchanged between our countries. I was pleased to learn from the ambassador that there is an increased interest in our region by the Canadian government. It was an honor to tell him “Bienvenue a Louisiane” on behalf of Tulane University.

I was also pleased to learn this week of several Tulane University students who have received scholarships in national competitions. Richard Reish, a senior in Tulane College, won a scholarship from the foundation created by Jack Kent Cooke, the late media mogul and owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Redskins. The award will provide Richard up to $300,000 to attend medical school. Alexander Flyax, a sophomore in Tulane College, received a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship that will provide up to $30,000 to finish his undergraduate degree.

In addition to these two scholars, Anne O’Donnell, a Newcomb senior, Margaret Sage Briscoe, a Newcomb junior and Jason Mellad, a Tulane College junior, have each received a prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarship, which provides funding for college students who intend to pursue careers as scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. These, of course, are just a few of the many accomplished Tulane students of whom we are so proud.

I have received quite a few responses from this week’s Special Tulane Talk regarding the Board of Tulane’s discussion and study of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program. I have read all of these messages and will share them with members of the board. If you want to read these messages and add your own opinion visit http://feedback.tulane.edu.

Have a great weekend,