TULANE TALK

October 12, 2001

Good Morning:

This week is our annual Parent/Family Weekend when families from all over the country return to Tulane to visit their sons and daughters at their new campus homes. Parents will sit in on classes, meet professors, tour the campus and attend a host of lectures, concerts and other special presentations. I will host a Parent’s Convocation this afternoon to update them on recent and planned events at the university.

This year the Parent/Family Weekend coincides with our Homecoming Celebration and features an incredible array of reunions, receptions, gatherings and special events including our annual “Paint The Town Green” parade this evening at 5:15 on the Monroe Quad. My first event for this year’s Homecoming actually took place last night when I hosted a reception for alumni from the classes of 1926 through 1951. We had over 200 alumni in attendance and it was enlightening to hear all the stories about the “old days” at Tulane. These stories embody the values and culture of the institution. I find them fascinating.

I spent most of this week in meetings with various deans, administrators, parent’s groups and Board Committee members. I also hosted a luncheon for student leaders on Wednesday. One thing the students wanted to make sure I mentioned to you was the car wash they are hosting this Sunday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. behind the Mayer Residence. All proceeds from the car wash will benefit the New York Police & Fire Fighters Children’s & Widow’s Benefit Fund. This is another way for all of us to help our fellow citizens recover from the Sept. 11 disaster.

In addition to all the Parent/Family and Homecoming events, this Sunday I will meet with members of the ABET Engineering Accreditation Team as they begin their review of the School of Engineering’s programs. Shortly thereafter I am off to California for a series of meetings with alumni and other friends of the university. I will tell you more about the trip next Friday.

Have a nice weekend,