TULANE TALK

January 17, 2003

Good Morning:

I’m pleased to report that David Halberstam, one of the nation’s most distinguished social and political commentators, has accepted the invitation to address our graduates at the 2003 Commencement, which will be held May 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the Louisiana Superdome.

During his brilliant career, Halberstam has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize and countless other honors. His last 13 books, with subjects ranging from the Vietnam War to Michael Jordan, have made The New York Times Best-Seller List. His latest national best seller is Firehouse, the story of Engine 40, Ladder 35 in Manhattan, which lost 12 of its 13 firefighters in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

His many other notable works include The Best and the Brightest, which traces the origins of the Vietnam War, The Powers That Be, which examines the power of the modern media, and The Reckoning, a study of Japan’s industrial challenge to Detroit. Halberstam also writes a weekly column on ESPN.com and is a frequent guest on programs such as Face the Nation and Nightline. I know he will be a particularly engaging and memorable commencement speaker. For an overview of all the activities planned for Commencement 2003 visit http://www.grads2003.tulane.edu/.

In addition to the excitement of securing our commencement speaker, I am looking forward to next week’s celebration of the life and dream of Martin Luther King Jr. I am pleased that once again, Tulane will join Dillard, Loyola and Xavier Universities in observing the 17th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week for Peace, January 20 – 24. Please try to make at least one of the week’s events, which address issues of vital importance to all of us. For a full list of events, please visit http://www.tulane.edu/%7Eoma/mlkweek.html.

Have a great weekend,