TULANE TALK

November 30, 2001

Good Morning:

Today I am in El Dorado, Arkansas and Monroe visiting with various friends and alums of the university. As you know, I spend a good percentage of my time on the road spreading the word about Tulane.

Just before the Thanksgiving break Martha Barnett, former American Bar Association president and an attorney with the national law firm Holland & Knight LLP, was named to the Board of Tulane. Martha, a Newcomb alumna, currently serves on the Newcomb Dean’s Advisory Council. She was named Outstanding Alumna for Newcomb College in 1999 and Tulane University Distinguished Alumna in 2001. With her strong local ties and national perspective, Martha is a perfect addition to the board. We are absolutely delighted to have her more closely associated with the university.

I had a very productive luncheon and meeting this week with student leaders at our Health Sciences Center. Tuition, fees and handicap access were just a few of the items we discussed. I usually meet with student leaders from across the university two times a semester to discuss any topics of interest to them.

I wanted to let you know about a special service Tulane’s School of Architecture will hold in memory of Professor Malcolm Heard at the school’s J. Herndon Thomson Hall tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. A renowned architect, author and scholar, Professor Heard joined the Tulane faculty in 1981 and, for the past decade, taught a nationally known interdisciplinary course on the culture of New Orleans. Professor Heard’s legacy includes his work on New Orleans landmarks such as the Piazza d’Italia, his teaching and writings and his many contributions to the preservation of New Orleans’ architecture. Professor Heard’s death was an inestimable loss to Tulane and the New Orleans community.

I was delighted to learn this week that Tulane History Professor Kenneth Harl was one of two recipients for this year’s Robert Foster Cherry Awards for Great Teachers. The two winners of the award split a prize of $25,000 and presented a series of lectures at Baylor University. Baylor hosts the awards program to honor great teaching and “to expose Baylor University students to the world’s greatest teachers.” This award is just one further indication of the esteem Tulane faculty enjoy throughout the academic world.

Our young Lusher friends are back at their school now. It sure feels empty at Uptown Square. It was fun having them stay with us.

Enjoy your weekend,