Tulane Talk March 21, 2014
TULANE TALK
March 21, 2014
Good Morning:
I am thrilled by the number of you who have already signed up for our annual faculty and staff Day of Service, which will take place on April 21. We will be out in force once again this year at City Park, the United Saints organization, Second Harvest, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans, Arc of Greater New Orleans and STARC. We will sort food and Mardi Gras beads, clear vacant lots, garden, mulch, paint, build, install art and join together in numerous other ways to improve our city and serve our neighbors. In true New Orleans fashion we will also have a great time.
I never gave much thought to the concept of “legacy” until a reporter recently asked me what I thought mine would be at Tulane. “Katrina, athletics reform, graduation rates?” the reporter offered as I paused to consider his question. Finally, I told him that I would like to be remembered for the contribution I made to enhancing and expanding Tulane’s tradition of public service. Of course this is as much your legacy as it is mine. Never once was your response anything less than extraordinary when I presented a community service challenge, whether it was developing service learning or asking you to contribute to our annual toy drive.
This has made all the difference in my presidency and in my life. Because of you, I cannot imagine a more noble undertaking than having served as president of Tulane. So let’s serve together one more time. If you have not already done so, please register for the Day of Service between now and April 4 at http://tulane.edu/wave-of-green/index.cfm.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk March 14, 2014
TULANE TALK
March 14, 2014
Good Morning:
One thing that has made commencement at Tulane the standard by which other university graduations are judged is the unique New Orleans tradition that flavors our celebration as we honor our graduates and their families.
No one embodies and articulates this tradition better than Wynton Marsalis, a nine-time Grammy winner, Pulitzer Prize recipient and, according to famed classical musician Maurice AndrÈ, “potentially the greatest trumpeter of all time.”
Wynton received his first horn on his 6th birthday, and he’s been blowing them away ever since — from the Fairview Baptist Church in New Orleans to New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he serves as artistic director. He has produced over 70 albums ranging from jazz to blues to classical music. He has performed with everyone from London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to Willie Nelson.
Nearly equal in power to his music are his words. In 2006, Wynton spoke at a special Martin Luther King Day event marking the reopening of Tulane, Xavier, Dillard and Loyola universities after Hurricane Katrina. His was one of the best and most moving speeches I have ever heard.
This is why I am so thrilled to announce Wynton Marsalis as the keynote speaker for Commencement 2014. Wynton is one of the world’s most-acclaimed musicians, bandleaders, composers, educators and cultural ambassadors. We are so proud to bring him home.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk February 28, 2014
TULANE TALK
February 28, 2014
Good Morning:
When midnight rolls around on a Thursday night, you know where you’ll find a lot of Tulane students?
If you guessed the library, you’re right. That’s where Lance Query, dean of libraries, found at least 150 students last week as rainwater began pouring onto books through two holes in the roof of Howard-Tilton Memorial Library.
With thousands of books at risk as water cascaded onto the stacks, Lance took to the library’s public address system and made a plea for help. He was hoping that a handful of students would come to assist staff members. What he got was an army of volunteers who quickly formed lines and began passing books to safety.
While many books, as well as volunteers, received an inevitable soaking, the teamwork of library staff, facilities services members, UNICCO employees and students (who Lance dubbed Tulane’s Monuments Men and Women) worked hard to mitigate the damage. On behalf of the entire Tulane community, I want to thank all of the staff and students who came to the rescue of our library and books. We are proud of you.
Given our experience in Katrina, we know a thing or two about remediating waterlogged books and Lance may get some of the books back in circulation even before their overdue date. In the meantime, the whole city is getting ready for the biggest weekend of the Carnival season. The library will be closed Monday and Tuesday to mark the holiday. Lance promises he won’t call.
Have a great Mardi Gras,
Tulane Talk February 21, 2014
TULANE TALK
February 21, 2014
Good Morning:
Service and Tulane have a long history together. The notion of “Not for one’s self, but for one’s own” has been enshrined in our motto, tried by the water and fire of Katrina, incorporated in our mission and etched upon our hearts.
Last week the Peace Corps ranked Tulane No. 2 in its list of top volunteer-producing graduate schools and No. 13 among the top volunteer-producing undergraduate schools of its size. This news came on the heels of an announcement by http.com that Tulane is No. 9 among medium-size schools for producing the most socially conscious alumni.
The timing of these two announcements could not have been better as Tulane hosted its annual http Service Fair at the LBC on Tuesday. This is a chance for students to connect with nonprofit organizations from around the country and learn more about the career and service opportunities these organizations have to offer. The fair included a discussion with Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps and other programs that engage more than 5 million Americans in service and volunteering.
We will soon announce details of an exciting and innovative program with the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Aspen Institute’s Franklin Project to expand national civilian service opportunities even further. Look for more to come on this topic in the next week or so.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk February 14, 2014
TULANE TALK
February 14, 2014
Good Morning:
Imagine an area in the Gulf of Mexico approximately the size of New Jersey that is so low in oxygen virtually no marine life can live within it. Unfortunately, this dead zone is no figment of the imagination. It is real and grows larger every year. Its cause is hypoxia, oxygen-depleted water created primarily by excessive amounts of river-borne fertilizers and other nutrients entering the Gulf. What enhances life in the Midwest can suffocate it downriver.
With Tulane’s uptown, downtown and West Bank campuses located so close to the banks of the Mississippi River, the main conduit of the Gulf’s nutrient pollution, the dead zone is a global problem that sweeps past our very doorstep. On Monday, I will announce a major effort to combat this problem by tapping into the genius of entrepreneurs, researchers and inventors worldwide. This effort will be funded by a Board of Tulane member and longtime advocate of market-driven solutions to major environmental and social problems. Farmers, business leaders, government partners and elected officials from the upper Mississippi River basin to its mouth are joining in to help.
This kind of endeavor represents Tulane at its best and exemplifies our commitment to social innovation and building sustainable communities. We mean it when we say our mission is nothing short of building a better world. Reducing hypoxia will not only help the Gulf, it will improve life in water regions around the world. Be sure to check out Monday’s New Wave for more details about this exciting announcement.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk February 07, 2014
TULANE TALK
February 7, 2014
Good Morning:
Last May, when I announced my plans to retire as president, a reporter asked me how I was going to feel when another leader of Tulane was appointed. I told him I thought it might be akin to how parents feel on their child’s wedding day. While they have little choice on whom their child will marry and even less influence on the ultimate success of the union, their happiness rests on the outcome.
On Tuesday, when Michael A. Fitts was named Tulane’s 15th president, I made a prediction that during his career here Mike would fall deeply and profoundly in love with Tulane and New Orleans. Mike is a man with outstanding academic credentials, proven administrative skill and extraordinary leadership ability. But what has impressed me most about him are his commitment and passion for undertaking the noble endeavor of serving as president of Tulane.
Mike understands the culture and values of our university. He knows that being Tulane’s president is not merely a job or a position, it is a labor of love. On July 1st, when I step down, I will be glad to call Mike my president. I’m going to look forward with great interest and expectations as he takes Tulane on a journey from renewal to greatness.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk January 31, 2014
TULANE TALK
January 31, 2014
Good Morning:
I thought “snow days” were a part of my past life as a native of New Jersey and resident of Cleveland for more than 20 years. Well, what can I say? New Orleans never ceases to surprise me. Some of our friends living in colder climates may have chuckled at our precaution of closing for two days this week, but icy roadways are particularly dangerous in an area not accustomed to severe winter weather. We wanted to ensure the safety of all our faculty, students and staff during this rare winter storm.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to members of the Tulane police department, facilities services, dining services, the LBC, the Reily Center, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library and other staff members on all of our campuses who ensured our students remained safe, well-fed and occupied during this week’s closings.
With the return of the sun and warmer temperatures, it’s good to have the whole Tulane community back where we belong.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk January 24, 2014
TULANE TALK
January 24, 2014
Good Morning:
The effort to build a better world through enhanced human and ecological health and increased social and economic justice, collectively known as sustainability, has long been a goal of Tulane University. So how is Tulane doing?
To answer this question, we are now embarked on a university-wide effort to measure how well we promote and practice sustainability in our course offerings, research, civic engagement, operations, planning, administration and new initiatives. For instance, to what extent do we use our physical plant and other infrastructure as a laboratory for students to study the issues and challenges of sustainability? Does our community engagement include partnerships that protect the environment or promote social equity, health and well-being across New Orleans and our region? Are we steadily reducing university waste, water use and energy consumption? Are we purchasing as much locally grown produce as possible for our dining operations? Does campus construction include green building practices and energy-saving measures? Are we working toward a more inclusive and diverse community of students, faculty and staff?
The data we gather through this effort will be compiled and submitted to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, a measuring index designed for universities by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Tulane won AASHE’s Campus Sustainability Leadership Award in 2008, but we know we must expand our sustainability efforts in a comprehensive and holistic manner to continue to be a leader in this vital area. I will share the progress we have made, as well as the areas in which we need to improve, in late spring, once all the data has been compiled and analyzed.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk January 17, 2014
TULANE TALK
January 17, 2014
Good Morning:
I spent yesterday in Washington, D.C., discussing how to increase college access for low-income students with President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and university and civic leaders from around the country. Discussing this particular subject at the White House as we approach Martin Luther King Day caused me to reflect on the famous “I Have a Dream” speech Dr. King delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial just a couple of miles away. I believe yesterday’s meeting and the http announced by Tulane and other universities are helping to fulfill some of the promise and hope of that speech. Much work remains to be done but that should not prevent us from recognizing and celebrating the real progress we have made.
Marking that progress and continuing that work is the inspiration behind the 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week for Peace, four days of speeches, prayer and service sponsored by Tulane, Loyola, Dillard and Xavier universities. This year’s Week for Peace keynote address will be given by Minnijean Brown-Trickey, one of the “Little Rock Nine” who were spit on and faced other physical and verbal assaults when they attempted to desegregate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Other Week for Peace events include a lifetime achievement award presented to actor Wendell Pierce, an interfaith service, a step team competition and a day of community service. You can find more information on these and other Week for Peace highlights at http.mlkweek4peace.org. Please try to attend at least one of these special events. Pursuing a dream is a great way to spend a holiday.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk January 10, 2014
TULANE TALK
January 10, 2014
Good Morning:
To me the new year has always been about new opportunities. That’s why I was pleased to receive an invitation to join other university presidents at a White House summit next week. The purpose of the summit is to discuss how to get more low-income students enrolled in college and ensure that they succeed once they get there.
I will share Tulane’s efforts in this area, which include establishing the first Posse Foundation chapter in New Orleans. Through this chapter, Posse recruits talented public high school students from New Orleans and Los Angeles and prepares them to attend Tulane in multicultural teams known as posses. The first Posse class graduated from Tulane last year. One star among the class was Chris Hanuscin, who earned a degree in cell and molecular biology, a spot on the Green Wave football team and entrance to medical school at the University of Southern California. I will also share information on our efforts to enroll graduates of KIPP, a national network of free, open enrollment college preparatory public schools.
Then I will introduce a new partnership we formed last month with the Urban League of Greater New Orleans and College Track, a national nonprofit that empowers students from underserved communities to attain their dream of a college degree. We will work with these newest partners to enroll more underserved students at Tulane and help them to succeed in college and in life. We are also continuing our efforts to keep tuition as low as possible for all students.
Ensuring that a college education is accessible to all qualified students regardless of their financial circumstances is vital not only to the future of these students but to the promise of our country as a whole. I am proud to be able to share our efforts and ideas on this important mission with the president’s senior staff.
Have a great weekend