TULANE TALK

April 30, 2010

Good Morning:

We are currently marshalling Tulane’s vast array of experts in the environmental, biological, economic and energy related fields to determine how we can assist in mitigating the impact of the massive oil leak that is threatening our state and region. After assessing the situation and coordinating our response this weekend, I will update you early next week on our efforts.

Ironically, just this week we have also been working to determine how we can best commemorate the upcoming fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the catastrophic levee failures that changed our lives and the life of our city forever.

We want this commemoration to honor those who suffered so much as a result of Katrina and the failed levee system while also noting the remarkable progress our recovering, resurgent city and university have made in the last five years.

One element in our effort to mark this milestone anniversary will be a large multi-media memorial display we will place in the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life that will tell the story of Tulane’s Katrina experience.

Just as we could never have gotten through that experience without your help, we cannot construct this remembrance without your creativity and assistance. Please contact Kathryn Hobgood Ray at http@tulane.edu and let her know what material and ideas you might be able to contribute to this memorial.

I will send more details in the coming months on this and other anniversary-related activities. While no one wants to dwell on the dark days of the storm and its aftermath, it is important that we honor the memory of those who were lost so that the living will never forget. It is also important to remember that we will face and triumph over this current disaster just as we did Katrina.

Have a great weekend,