TULANE TALK

September 10, 2002

Dear Tulane Community:

This has been a very difficult week for all of us as we make plans to gather as a community to mark the first anniversary of September 11, 2001. This anniversary holds even greater significance, arriving as it does upon yesterday’s tragic death of Tulane College senior Jonathan Lorino. Along with all the victims of 9/11, we will remember Jonathan and all those who have died from senseless violence in our city, country and around the world. I have met several times with Jonathan’s parents, Tony and Lisa, and other members of his family. I will let you know when funeral arrangements have been made. Members of the Student Affairs staff, as well as the Deans of Tulane and Newcomb Colleges have been assisting Jonathan’s roommates and friends as they cope with this tremendous loss. If we can be of assistance to any other students affected by this tragedy please let us know.

In addition to coping with the loss of Jonathan we have a number of events planned to commemorate 9/11. The university will begin this solemn day with the sounds of a bugler, accompanied by a Tulane ROTC Color Guard, who will play taps at 7:48 a.m. at Gibson Hall, 8:05 a.m. at the University Center, 8:43 a.m. at Newcomb Hall and 9:00 a.m. at the Reily Student Recreation Center to coincide with the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania one year ago.

Students, faculty and staff will also gather in Dixon Hall at 4 p.m. for “In Remembrance of September 11, 2001,” a special university-wide program of music, readings and reflections. The ceremony will include antiphonal trumpets, the presentation of colors by Tulane ROTC, the national anthem sung by the Tulane University Health Sciences Center Chorale and some brief remarks from me. Justin Steinschreiber, Tulane’s Associated Student Body President, will also announce plans by students to design and raise funds to build an outdoor classroom as a memorial to 9/11 victims. The ceremony will end with the retiring of colors and the playing of taps. For those unable to attend, the program will be webcast at http://www2.tulane.edu/911/webcast.cfm

The Health Sciences Center will also hold a concurrent program in commemoration of 9/11 at the School of Medicine auditorium. This program will feature a live broadcast of the opening portion of the Dixon Hall university-wide ceremony followed by remarks and reflections from the Health Sciences Center’s administrators and students.

These ceremonies will be important occasions for us to gather together as a community to remember and reflect. I hope as many of you as possible can attend one of these ceremonies or at least share some of your thoughts at the 9/11 Memorial Forum we have established at http://www2.tulane.edu/911