Tulane Talk February 12, 2010
TULANE TALK
February 12, 2010
Good Morning,
What a week! Our citywide celebration continues as we approach what might be the biggest and best Mardi Gras ever. As always, members of the Tulane community are heavily involved.
Tulane’s Marching Band, whose participation in the Saints Super Bowl parade was featured on CNN, will perform in the Krewe D’Etat, Thoth and Rex parades. I am extremely proud of our band and what they have accomplished post-Katrina. In addition to this great representation, many of our Tulane faculty, students and staff will ride with krewes throughout the city.
We have also incorporated the study of Mardi Gras into our curriculum. For instance, Tulane students explored Carnival and other Louisiana community performance traditions with anthropology professor and American Routes host Nick Spitzer. The result, Second Lines and Black Pots, was nationally broadcast this week.
While fun and frivolity are the themes of Mardi Gras, the safety of all the members of our community, especially our students, is paramount. I encourage everyone to read these http tips, including expanded Safe Rides hours. Following the advice posted here will ensure all of us have a happy and safe Mardi Gras.
Tulane Talk February 08, 2010
TULANE TALK
February 8, 2010
Good Morning,
There are certain moments in life that are transcendent and transformative and are too wonderful for words. Sunday’s Super Bowl victory was such a moment. It was a victory that went far beyond football, highlights, statistics or trophies. This world championship, coupled with the election of a new mayor by an overwhelming majority, is about the progress and future of our beloved city.
This was a moment for all New Orleanians. The way this city and this team, our team, have embraced one another is unique in all the world. While most professional athletes discuss themselves and their gifts at post-game press conferences, our Saints invariably talk about their city and what its recovery has meant to them and to the nation.
This is what I believe we will be celebrating when we welcome our hometown heroes at tomorrow’s parade. In addition, we will be congratulating our new mayor, Mitch Landrieu, as he leads us into the future. So in recognition of New Orleans, our recovery, our revival and the unity we displayed in one incredible weekend at the polls and on the national stage, I am going to close the university (uptown, downtown and primate center) tomorrow at 1 p.m.
This will allow all New Orleans-area Tulanians time to gather with family, friends and neighbors (are there any other categories of people in New Orleans?) and celebrate what is truly a historic moment in the long life and new life of our city. Enjoy the parade but most of all enjoy the moment. It truly is our time!
Geaux New Orleans,
Geaux Saints,
Geaux Tulane,
Tulane Talk February 05, 2010
TULANE TALK
February 5, 2010
Good Morning,
I am rushing to get all my meetings done and work completed before I head down to Miami tomorrow afternoon. I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the big game and am very much looking forward to seeing our New Orleans Saints bring a Super Bowl win and the Vince Lombardi trophy home to our city and the fans who so richly deserve it.
No other fans in the world embrace their home team like we Saints fans do. I think the team represents the drive, the perseverance and the faith through which our university and city continue to recover and renew. Like our team, we should strive for and expect greatness. Just as the Saints have become a model of consistency and triumph so, too, can New Orleans become a model city for the 21st century in the areas of public education, community-based health care, reform and civic activism.
Just as the Saints are committed both to playing football and serving the community, we, through our leadership in education and research and through the willingness of our students, faculty and staff to use their gifts for the betterment of others, can transform our city and world.
While this is an “All Saints Weekend,” I will still be bringing a part of Tulane with me to Miami. Along with the same Saints shirt and pants I wore for our two playoff victories (not that I am superstitious) I will be sporting a black Tulane hat. I will also take along this memorable song “Look for the Fleur de Lis,” written and performed by Tulane staff member Kathryn Hobgood Ray.
Geaux Saints, Geaux Wave!
Tulane Talk January 29, 2010
TULANE TALK
I went to visit my friend Bobby Boudreau in Lake Charles this week. Bobby, who earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Tulane University, was one of the first Tulanians I met when I became president. He told me then that the most important things in his life were his faith in God, his family and Tulane. I first wrote about Bobby in my inaugural address in 1998.
Now, at age 79, Bobby still personifies the spirit of Tulane University and, though battling various health ailments, exudes the same humor, enthusiasm and joie de vivre he did as a Tulane student in the early ’50s. Every time I see him he asks me dozens of questions about the university and always demonstrates unwavering support of Tulane and me. Bobby is a true and loyal friend whom I deeply admire and respect. In addition to his devotion to Tulane, he loves everything related to New Orleans, especially its food and French heritage. A tour of his Lake Charles house bears testimony to this devotion.
An inveterate e-mailer, Bobby regularly sends me his encouragement, advice and unique observations on all things Tulane. Recently, I estimated receiving more than 2,500 e-mails from him in 12 years. I cherish these messages as I did the visit I paid him this week along with two of his favorite Tulanians, Yvette Jones, executive vice president for university relations and development, and Athletic Director Rick Dickson.
So Bobby, here is a big e-mail back to you for all the ones you sent me. And I will sign off in a similar fashion as you do.
Roll Wave,
Roll Bobby,
With great affection,
Tulane Talk January 22, 2010
TULANE TALK
January 22, 2010
Good Afternoon,
A little over a week ago I wrote about the unfolding tragedy in Haiti. Since then, like all of you, I have been following the stories of human tragedy and triumph that are being reported daily from this devastated country.
As I watch and listen, the urge to do something immediately is almost overwhelming, and I know that many of you feel the same way because of your calls and e-mails.
It is critically important for us to reach out to Haiti and help its citizens in their time of need; but it is equally important for us to help in the way that will be most beneficial. From conversations with disaster recovery experts at Tulane and elsewhere, I have been told repeatedly that donations of cash, including benefits to raise money, are the best way to extend a helping hand at this time.
Many Tulane organizations have started fund-raisers, and you will see signs and collection jars in offices across campus. This is a good way to help and there are other ways as well. In an effort to share with you what Tulanians are doing and planning to do, both in fundraising and in other humanitarian efforts, we have developed a http that will be a clearinghouse for information.
As another week draws to a close, it is true that the situation in Haiti commands our attention. However, those of us in New Orleans have a welcome distraction this weekend when our hometown heroes, the Saints, meet the Minnesota Vikings with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
One of the men in Black and Gold, linebacker Jonathan Vilma, is like usówhile focused on the game his heart is with the beleaguered citizens of Haiti. A portion of the proceeds of a http-shirt he has designed will go to disaster relief.
I’m proud that in the midst of all the excitement about this momentous game, New Orleanians are still thinking about others. I’ll be wearing my Saints colors proudly on Sunday as I cheer them on to victory.
Have a good weekend.
Tulane Talk January 15, 2010
TULANE TALK
January 15, 2010
Good Morning,
Tomorrow our beloved New Orleans Saints begin their journey to become Super Bowl Champions. The “Who Dat Nation” around the world will be cheering the Saints as they meet the Arizona Cardinals in what promises to be a clash of offensive titans.
Weeks ago, in anticipation of this magical journey, I began to ask New Orleanians to explain to me the origins of the “Who Dat” chant. The vast majority of respondents had no idea of the answer. I shouldn’t have been surprised Wednesday to pick up the Times-Picayune and see they were thinking along the same lines!
The fact that the Who Dats and all things Saints are the topics of conversation everywhere is not much of a surprise. At Tulane we have a whole contingent of dedicated fans of the Black and Gold as shown in this http from the New Wave.
When Councilman Arnie Fielkow and I made a presentation at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., last month and talked to media from around the country, the Saints were one of the first subjects to come up.
And remember: Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Not the Cardinals, whose wings will be clipped by the next Super Bowl Champions!
Have a great weekend and enjoy the game.
Tulane Talk January 14, 2010
TULANE TALK
January 14, 2010
Dear Colleagues,
This has been a sad week as we have followed the tragic story of the earthquake in Haiti. As New Orleanians, we can identify with what it is to be victims of a calamity. We have seen human suffering up close, and I know our hearts and prayers are with those affected by this horrific event.
Tulane has three of its people in Haiti, some of whom are with their families or significant others. We have now confirmed that all are well and safe, and we are providing direct assistance, where possible and needed, to bring them back to the United States. We are also reaching out to our students from Haiti to offer our support, as well as assistance in contacting their families.
As more details surface about this terrible disaster, I know you join me in saluting the efforts of the heroic first responders. We well know from our experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina how critical their efforts are. We also know how important the second wave of support will be to this embattled country and that is where the assistance of the Tulane community, whose expertise and experiences were honed after the storm, will be most critical.
Senior university administrators are currently in discussion to determine how Tulane can most effectively use its talent and experience to provide long-term assistance. Our experts in disaster recovery management, mental health, health systems management and environmental health, as well as our health professionals, are already formulating plans and working with aid organizations to see how we can assist Haiti as it begins the very long and difficult road to recovery.
Finally, we provide the following sites for those of you wanting to directly support Haitian relief efforts now:
- The http.S. Department of State, through which you can text a donation or access relief organizations.
- http, a list of agencies responding to the crisis and accepting donations.
The Tulane community is known for its community engagement ethos and disaster experience; letís do whatever we can to assist those in Haiti, a country closely aligned with New Orleans.
Tulane Talk January 08, 2010
TULANE TALK
January 8, 2010
Good Morning:
I hope you had a joyous and restful holiday and that you and your families will enjoy a prosperous and fulfilling 2010. Our law school and graduate social work students, who began classes this week, will be joined by their fellow students on Monday and our campuses will once again come to life with the hope and promise of a new semester.
In fact, the excitement has already begun, as we recently learned that Anderson Cooper, the Emmy-award winning anchor of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, will serve as the keynote speaker for Commencement 2010. You can learn more about this by visiting the http website. Anderson Cooper is a favorite of New Orleanians and many Tulanians. A well-respected journalist, who has covered nearly all major world events including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Anderson has always seemed to have a special affinity for New Orleans. He spent more than a month covering Katrina and returned more than 20 times to follow our reconstruction. He also wrote movingly about this experience in his book Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival.
His address will no doubt be one of the highlights of this semester. But Commencement is still a long way off. By then we will have had a whole semester’s worth of challenges, triumphs and memories. I look forward to sharing them all with you.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk December 18, 2009
TULANE TALK
December 18, 2009
Good Morning:
As 2009 comes to a close, I want to thank you all for your tremendous effort this year. To get you in the holiday spirit, we’ve put together a “scrapbook” of winter images of a once-in-a-blue-moon New Orleans snowfall. Marjorie and I hope you enjoy this special message, which features music by Tulane faculty members.
We hope that this holiday season is peaceful and happy for all of you.
Tulane Talk December 11, 2009
TULANE TALK
December 11, 2009
Good Morning:
Have you heard the news of the extraordinary $50 million pledge Tulane University has received from the Weatherhead Foundation?
This gift is all the more meaningful to me because of the personal connection I have with Albert J. Weatherhead III and his wife, Celia, who oversee the Weatherhead Foundation.
I first met Al and Celia about 30 years ago when I was a young assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. Our friendship continued through the years and eventually I became the Albert J. Weatherhead III Professor of Management and dean of the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. I was always awed by the Weatherheads’ commitment to higher education and the breadth and depth of their generosity to a few exceptional universities. Their standards of excellence and creative philanthropy have set a superb example for others around the country.
The Weatherheads have also had a profound influence on me personally. Celia, a graduate of Newcomb College and a member of the Board of Tulane, was instrumental in my decision to interview for the Tulane presidency in 1997 and to ultimately leave Case Western, where I was very happy, and come to Tulane, where I found true fulfillment and purpose. Likewise, Al has been a valuable mentor, dear friend and adviser to me for years.
Programs such as the one funded by this pledge, which build stronger faculties, are available only at a handful of select universities in the country. By their pledge, the Weatherheads have shown they have faith in us and our aspiration to be counted among the world’s most distinguished and distinctive institutions of higher education. I know their faith is well-placed.
Please join me in thanking the Weatherheads for their incredible generosity to Tulane.
Have a great weekend,