TULANE TALK

December 6, 2013

Good Morning:

I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Nelson Mandela yesterday. Mandela embodied all the attributes of an extraordinary, transformative leader who changed the course of history, not only in South Africa but around the world. His deeds of courage, his humanity and his clarity of principle and vision are examples to all of us as we seek to advance freedom and equality.

For the last 30 years I have taught and written about leadership. Inevitably, I have always included Nelson Mandela as the exemplar of a true leader – someone who inspires people to stand up for what they believe in with absolute courage and conviction.

But for the people of South Africa, Mandela was more than a leader. He was the father of a nation who seemed to have an inexhaustible capacity for sacrifice and forgiveness. Mandela may be gone, but his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those who continue to work for the good of South Africa.

Tulane is working alongside them. Through the Tulane International Office in Durban, the study abroad program in Cape Town and the commitment of Tulane Peace Corps volunteers and School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine students, plus numerous other Tulane-led efforts, we stand with our brothers and sisters in building a new South Africa and in mourning the loss of their father.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

November 8, 2013

Good Morning:

As a former college football student-athlete, I know the biggest hits of the game sometimes echo long after the cheers of the crowd have faded away and the stands are empty. For too many NFL players, life after football is not a smooth transition into the jocular world of the announcer’s booth but a slow, painful and lonely journey of ever diminishing ability, relevance and memory.

That is why I am so proud that Tulane has partnered with the NFL Players Association to provide medical evaluations to former players, with no out-of-pocket cost to them. This partnership is part of The Trust, a new initiative to assist former players with brain and body evaluations, career transition, health and nutrition, physical fitness and financial education.

Financial education and success is at the heart of another exciting Tulane venture, PitchNOLA, an annual elevator pitch contest for startup businesses that target the city’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Sustainable carnival throws, eye screenings for the uninsured and much more are part of the competition that will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Nov. 19, in Freeman Auditorium.

Publicizing great partnerships and events like the ones above is part of the job of Tulane’s communications professionals. This week I addressed a meeting of the newly formed Communications Council, a gathering of communicators from schools and departments throughout the university.

Because they work in the background, promoting the achievements, activities and research of others, our communications specialists – from admissions to athletics to medicine and all points between – are often overlooked. However, like all of our staff, their efforts are so vital to the success of Tulane. I don’t know any dean, department head or university president who has not looked better because of their work.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

November 1, 2013

Good Morning:

Last week I chaired the fall meeting of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization of 62 leading research universities. Tulane has been a member of this association since 1958.

There were three interrelated themes that permeated this year’s meeting. One was the inability of our government to reach long-term agreements on the budget and debt ceiling. Second, was the impact the federal government’s declining investment in scientific research and development could have on our country’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

Finally, we discussed whether higher education is facing or will face significant changes in the future, necessitating rethinking of our mission, strategy and operations. There was strong consensus that seismic shifts were occurring, which were likely to have an impact on all colleges and universities.

Disruptive technologies and questions about college affordability, accessibility, accountability and value must be addressed. There are also questions about whether the financial model of higher education is sustainable, especially in a world where expenses will outstrip revenues unless new sources can be tapped and productivity increased.

Fortunately for Tulane, we have been studying these issues for several years and are well positioned to adapt to what is likely to be a “new normal” in higher education.

We know the United States has the strongest and most respected higher education system in the world, but we also know that we cannot take this system for granted. Change will occur. The only question is whether the transformation will occur proactively or will be the result of crisis. Those institutions like Tulane who are proactive will weather the sea change and be stronger and better for the effort. All others are likely to diminish in quality, strength and influence.

Given their importance for Tulane and all of higher education, I will continue to focus on these issues for the remainder of my presidency and thereafter. If our country is to continue to grow and prosper, it needs a vibrant and outstanding education system, PreK-16 and beyond.

TULANE TALK

October 18, 2013

Good Morning:

Tulane has been a bit star-struck lately with actors Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum filming scenes from “22 Jump Street” on campus, “The Queen Latifah Show” taping from the steps of Gibson Hall and the History Channel filming in one of our earth and environmental sciences labs.

Major motion pictures shooting on campus are not only for fun. They assist Louisiana’s growing film industry, an important part of our city and state’s economy. They also benefit Tulane by raising our profile and creating a positive buzz and excitement about the university. “The Queen Latifah Show” taping, for instance, featured both Tulane students and a special group of http. Tulane students have also been hired as extras and have earned a few speaking roles in the many films we have hosted throughout the years. Margie and I even got to do a cameo appearance in “22 Jump Street.” And that photo of Channing Tatum in a football uniform riding through campus with Jonah Hill has been tweeted and retweeted more times than I can count.

This is all great, but the football players who really deserve tweeting are our own Green Wave, who USA Today just named the nation’s top “surprise team.” This team is fun to watch and last week’s triple overtime victory was one of the most exciting and nail-biting sporting events I have ever witnessed at Tulane. To make sure you are part of this year’s fun, we are offering every faculty and staff member two free tickets to the Green Wave’s next game against Tulsa at 2:30 p.m., Oct. 26, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. You and the team will get to see my hair a lovely shade of (TBD) for this game.

I also definitely plan to visit with students in the tailgating section before the game. Athletics is planning a huge pre-game party for our students with free food, soft drinks and music. It is sort of a Homecoming Part II to make up for some of the special events that got rained out for this year’s Homecoming. I know it will be a blast. Our students pour their hearts into everything they do — in the classroom, on the field, in the stands and in the community they are the real superstars who make the real difference.

Have a great weekend,