TULANE TALK

August 31, 2012

Good Afternoon:

As we continue to prepare the campus for a full opening on Tuesday, I want to thank all of our students, parents, staff and faculty who are taking us through Hurricane Isaac. Isaac was not the biggest storm but it was uncommonly unpredictable, from its initial forecast that targeted Florida to its final landfall that stalled right over us.

Obviously, Isaac has upended our lives for days. It is also giving us a shared experience that will bring the Tulane community closer together, teach us great lessons in friendship and resiliency and remind us of what matters most.

Throughout the storm I visited students in their residence halls and talked to off-campus students. The welcome they gave me, their unflagging good humor, their http and laughter lifted my spirits and sustained me. Our dedicated employees who are working around the clock while coping with their personal issues are inspiring me. These people are truly remarkable individuals.

Shared experiences like Isaac can create unforgettable memories and lasting friendships. They also build a community of caring, thoughtful, intelligent and concerned citizens with the common good closest to their hearts. That is true whether you have been at Tulane for 15 years or 5 days.

So how can I render sufficient thanks to all of you? I can’t. I can only offer my deepest gratitude, admiration and respect. And I can only say over and over again, “Thank you.”