TULANE TALK

February 26, 2010

Good Morning,

This week we brought a little of the Big Easy to the Big Apple with “Beads on Broadway,” our second annual Mardi Gras gala for the many alumni, family and friends of Tulane University in the New York metro area.

Held at Manhattan’s historic Chelsea Piers (once the destination of the Titanic and other great ships of yore) the night featured a reception, dinner and entertainment by the Broadway cast of the Tony award-winning Jersey Boys. The “Boys in Concert” was a huge hit with everyone in attendance, regardless of age.

The evening also gave me a chance to share Tulane’s progress and ongoing challenges and opportunities. One thing I made clear is that I have never been more optimistic about the future of Tulane as I am today. My brief remarks were followed by a special presentation by Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation and former president of the New York Public Library and Brown University. Vartan is a legend in higher education and he spoke beautifully about New Orleans and Tulane. His remarks made us all proud.

The night made our alumni and friends aware of both our triumphs and aspirations for the future. It was also as big and as fun as New York itself. As a proud New Orleanian, Tulanian and Jersey boy, I’d say the evening was a smash hit.

Have a great weekend,