TULANE TALK

November 21, 2003

Good Morning:

Last week I told you about the stellar achievements of the New Orleans Center for Science and Math, a high school founded by two Tulane University faculty members. A few weeks before that I told you we were working with the New Orleans Public School system to possibly create a new high school based on the Lusher Alternative Elementary model. Now I’d like to share with you another way Tulane University is helping to improve K-12 education in New Orleans. Howard-Tilton Memorial Library has received a major federal grant to fund the Knowledge Center, an innovative program that gives New Orleans public school teachers and students access to the same databases available to university professors and students.

Educators can access a variety of library and information services for general information gathering, research projects and curriculum support at http://olkc.tulane.edu. Students can access similar databases through the Knowledge Connector at http://know.tulane.edu. Teachers are also able to communicate instantly with librarians for assistance in their research efforts. This arrangement between a major research library and
local schools is rather unique among universities.

So why all the emphasis on K-12 education? Well, improving K-12 education is a major part of our strategic plan to strengthen old and create new partnerships with educational, business and community organizations
in New Orleans. Obviously, a stronger K-12 system is beneficial to everyone. It also makes it easier for us to attract the best and brightest Louisiana high school students to Tulane.

Speaking of outstanding Louisiana students, I learned this week that Jason Mellad, a graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High School who is now a Tulane College senior with a double major in chemistry and cell and molecular biology, has received a prestigious Marshall Scholarship. Marshall Scholarships enable young Americans to pursue graduate degrees at universities in the United Kingdom. No more than 40 scholars are selected each year for this honor. We are all proud of Jason and the distinction he has brought to our university with this award.

Since this is the last Tulane Talk before our Thanksgiving break, I want to wish all of you an enjoyable and restful time with your family and friends. We certainly have much to be grateful for at Tulane.

Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving,