TULANE TALK

June 30, 2006

Good Morning:

Another chapter in Tulane Universityís renewal came to a close this week with the ending of the Lagniappe semester. I hope all of you realized what a critical role you played by your participation in this historic semester.

Lagniappe students: you were a visible sign of the continued recovery of New Orleans. More than you realized, you gave the city a boost by your youthful spirit, your scholarship, your unflagging willingness to volunteer and, yes, your spending habits. We are already looking forward to seeing you again next fall.

Lagniappe faculty: no one can stop a hurricane but you mitigated Katrinaís impact on the lives of thousands of Tulane students. Think of how much stress you relieved and how many choices you made possible by teaching this semester. You prevented the deferral of dream jobs, advanced studies, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and probably one or two weddings by simply doing what you do best. We all appreciate the many sacrifices you made to make this happen.

Lagniappe staff: the glue that holds things together, the oil that keeps the engine running, the straw that stirs the drink. There are a lot of metaphors for what you do, but basically you make the academic enterprise possible. Forgive us if we donít always appreciate that fact.

Lagniappe: I didnít know what the word meant until I came to Louisiana. Then I learned it means ìa little something extra.î Well, then perhaps this semester was misnamed. Because I know all of our Lagniappe students, faculty and staff gave ìa whole lot extraî to make this semester possible. I offer you my sincere gratitude.

Because of people like you Tulane is recovering and leading the way for the full recovery of our beloved city.

I hope you all have a chance to have some fun and relaxation this summer.

P.S. This is my last regular Tulane Talk until the start of the fall semester, but I will update you periodically over the next couple months with any important news.

TULANE TALK

June 16, 2006

Good morning,

George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres, Brian Williams, Laura Bush. These are just a few of the major leaders and personalities who have visited Tulane University this year. So why stop now?

Madeleine Albright, our countryís first female secretary of state, will speak June 25 at 1:30 p.m. in the Freeman Auditorium of the Woldenberg Art Center.

Secretary Albrightís appearance, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Renewal Series, an effort by Tulane, Dillard, Loyola and Xavier universities to bring high-powered individuals to New Orleans.

The Renewal Series is made possible with the assistance of the Aspen Institute, whose president, Walter Isaacson, is a native New Orleanian and a member of our Board. Past speakers in the Renewal Series have included jazz great Wynton Marsalis and authors Richard Ford and John Biguenet.

Secretary Albright will make remarks, followed by a question and answer session with the audience. Afterwards, there will be reception where she will sign copies of her book The Mighty and the Almighty – Reflections on America, God and World Affairs in Woodward Way, just down the hall from Freeman Auditorium.

I hope you will attend Secretary Albrightís speech. Having a speaker of her caliber visit us underscores how important our recovery is in the eyes of the country and, indeed, the world.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

June 7, 2006

Good Morning:

As we near the mid-point of the Lagniappe Semester, planning for the Fall Semester is beginning in earnest. One critical aspect of preparing to welcome the class of 2010 and all of our returning students is the appointment of an Interim Senior Vice President (SVP) for Academic Affairs and Provost.

I am pleased to announce that Professor Paul Barron has agreed to accept this interim appointment. Many of you remember that Paul previously served very capably in this position prior to the arrival of Provost Lefton. Additionally, Paul has been a member of the Law School and university faculty for over 30 years. Paul has been a member of the President’s Cabinet since Katrina in his capacity as CIO and, therefore, has an excellent perspective and understanding of the challenges and issues facing the university. Finally, the length, breadth and depth of his array of academic and administrative experiences at Tulane will serve Paul well in this appointment.

As Provost Lefton prepares to leave Tulane, we are fortunate that he is leaving a Provost’s Office with a strong staff that has been working very hard to implement the academic reorganization that is key to the success of the Renewal Plan. Under Paul’s leadership and with his comprehensive knowledge of the university and the Renewal Plan, combined with his effective management and interpersonal skills, I know that the Provost’s Office will continue to perform its academic mission.

During this interim period, all of the departments that currently report to Provost Lefton will report to Paul with a few exceptions that Paul and I will discuss when he assumes his appointment. The Office of Technology Services will continue to report to Yvette Jones through Paul and a leadership structure that Paul and Yvette are putting in place.

This summer we will launch the search for the new provost. I have appointed a Provost’s Search Advisory Committee, chaired by Robert Hill of the School of Liberal Arts. Committee members include Nick Altiero, School of Science and Engineering; Barbara Beckman, School of Medicine; Rebecca Chaisson, School of Social Work; Rick Marksbury, School of Continuing Studies; Carol Reese, School of Architecture; Paul Spindt, A.B. Freeman School of Business; Jeff Tasker, School of Science and Engineering; Tulane Board Members Catherine D. Pierson and Linda Wilson; Ana Lopez, associate provost and School of Liberal Arts; Deborah Love, vice president for institutional equity; and Associated Student Body President Sara Dwyer. A representative from the Law School will be added shortly.

We envision the search process will take approximately six months and we anticipate hiring a search firm to assist us. In the meantime, any questions about the search should be directed to Professor Hill (rhill@tulane.edu) or Anne Banos (apbanos@tulane.edu), who will staff the committee.

Have a good week,

TULANE TALK

May 26, 2006

Good Morning:

Whenever anyone asks me why I love New Orleans so much, I always have a question for them: “Tell me what other American city can lay claim to its own music, its own food, its own architecture and its own language?”

These are the foundations of our unique way of life and restoring and protecting these cultural treasures is as vital to our recovery as rebuilding our homes, businesses and infrastructure.

That’s why First Lady Laura Bush will join NBC news anchor Brian Williams; local restaurateur Ralph Brennan; jazz legend Ellis Marsalis; New Orleans native and Aspen Institute President Walter Isaacson and dozens of artists, musicians, educators, journalists, chefs and neighborhood leaders for “Rebirth: People, Places and Culture in New Orleans,” May 30 to June 1 at Tulane University.

The conference will also feature renowned New Orleans’ restaurant owners Leah Chase, Frank Brigtsen, Wayne Baquet and JoAnn Clevenger; food critic Tom Fitzmorris; jazzman Irvin Mayfield; columnist and Pulitzer-Prize finalist Chris Rose and others.

Participants will explore how hurricane recovery strategies have included steps to protect the city’s cultural heritage, what opportunities are being lost and how local and national governments, businesses, non-profits, universities and private citizens can work together to save the culture that defines us.

The conference is co-sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Tulane University, Dillard University, Xavier University, Loyola University and the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans.

Highlights of the program will be broadcast at http://www.tulane.edu/rebirth/news.html beginning May 31.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend,