TULANE TALK

March 28, 2008

Good morning:

Interest in Tulane University is at an all-time high. Nearly 34,000 high school students from around the country and world have applied for only 1,400 spots available in next year’s freshman class. We believe our 100 percent increase in applications this year is the highest among major research universities in the country.

The upcoming March 30-31 “Honors Weekend” is an opportunity for us to bring some of the highest achieving members of this applicant pool to campus. The beautiful weather we’ve been enjoying offers the perfect backdrop to introduce these prospective students to our various honor programs and other academic offerings. It is also the perfect setting to introduce them to New Orleans food and culture.

While looking forward to our new class, our current students continue to bring honor to the university. We just learned that Tulane juniors Sarah Elizabeth Ray and Timothy Kramer Schmidt were two of only 65 students nationwide to have been selected as 2008 Truman Scholars.

The Truman Scholarship Foundation, which bestows this honor, was established by Congress in 1975 as a memorial to President Truman. The Foundation awards scholarships of up to $30,000 for college students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or other public service. The rigorous selection process requires that candidates have a strong record of public service, as well as a policy proposal that addresses a particular issue in society.

Sarah is a double major in political science and social policy. Her career goal is to make government programs more accountable and efficient, especially in the area of public housing and poverty. Timothy is a political science major with a concentration in American politics and policy. He mentors at-risk youth through Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. He also guts and rebuilds hurricane-damaged homes through Tulane SAFER (Students Acting for Equitable Recovery).

Both of our Truman winners are well deserving of this honor and reflect the quality of Tulane students yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Have a great weekend,