TULANE TALK

December 7, 2001

Good Morning:

This week started with wonderful news. For the last year and a half, a dedicated group of Arts and Sciences faculty have worked extremely hard to create a humanities center focused on the Deep South. Part of that effort included a proposal to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) that would establish the Center as part of a national network of nine Regional Humanities Centers operating at select institutions across the country. The competition was very intense, involving many of the most outstanding universities in the country. This week we learned that our proposal had been accepted.

This is a terrific accomplishment for our faculty and the university and testifies to the strength of many of our Arts and Sciences disciplines. I am especially proud of the efforts of Sylvia Frey, Larry Powell, Rebecca Mark, Thomas Klingler, Lance Hill, Tom Reese and their staff for bringing this distinction to Tulane. Through research fellowships, teacher training, lectures, performances and exhibitions, the Center will promote education and research on the Deep South and its connections to Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.

I also wanted to let you know about our second Presidential Symposium which will take place January 14 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Freeman Auditorium of the Woldenberg Art Center. This symposium, entitled “Your Brain’s Future,” will focus on exciting new research on the wonders and capabilities of the human brain. The symposium will feature some of the nation’s top brain researchers from Rockefeller University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Institutes of Health. Mark your calendar and I’ll see you there.

Can you believe the semester is almost over? Before our students begin their exam period I’ll get to spend some time today at a special celebration with some of our young leaders who work as RAs, Orientation Team Leaders, Ambassadors, Program Coordinators and other positions within our Housing and Residence Life, Multicultural Affairs and Student Program Offices.

Before I sign off I wanted to commend Tulane kicker Seth Marler, who was recently awarded the Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award, one of college football’s highest honors. Coach Scelfo tells me that Seth’s nearly perfect performance on the field this season is matched by his dedication to his studies. Congratulations, Seth.

Have a great weekend,