TULANE TALK

February 4, 2011

Good Morning:

I am writing this from our nation’s snowy capital where I am attending the first meeting of the White House Council for Community Solutions, a group of 26 men and women selected by President Obama to advise him on how to most effectively address the needs of communities throughout the country with a particular focus on disconnected youth.

While preparing for the meeting, I received the news that Tulane once again ranks among the nation’s top 25 medium-sized schools based on the number of graduates who serve in the Peace Corps. This ranking comes as no surprise given the culture of service at Tulane.

Whether it is the Peace Corps, Teach for America, AmeriCorps VISTA or any number of other local and national nonprofit organizations to which our graduates apply, Tulanians continue to demonstrate their commitment to making the world a better place.

Of course this effort is not restricted to nonprofits. Through our community engagement activities, Tulane is preparing a new generation of engaged citizens and leaders who measure success not only by the income they earn but by the positive impact they make in helping alleviate hunger, poverty, environmental degradation and a host of other societal ills.

I am convinced that this incredible level of community engagement and service by Tulane students, alumni, faculty and staff is the reason I was appointed to the council.

And while we are talking about rankings, did you see that the Green Wave is ranked 25 in Baseball America’s preseason poll? I can’t wait for the opening pitch of the 2011 season.

Have a great weekend,