TULANE TALK

June 21, 2005

Good Morning:

I am pleased to report that Philip Greer has been appointed chair-elect of the Board of Tulane, the university’s governing and policy-making authority. Philís three-year term as chair will begin July 1, 2006. He will replace our current chair, Cathy Pierson, when her term expires.

Phil, a member of the Board of Tulane since 1999 and a past Tulane parent, is a significant contributor to the university and board in his roles as vice chair of the board, vice chair of the Endowment Committee and chair of its Investment Subcommittee. Phil is knowledgeable and keenly interested in all aspects of the university and has all the requisite skills to lead the board during these exciting times. To learn more about our new board chair-elect visit http://www2.tulane.edu/article_news_details.cfm?ArticleID=5831

TULANE TALK

June 3, 2005

Good Morning:

Another academic year has come to an end. And what a year itís been — with everything from record-breaking student enrollment to having our baseball team ranked No. 1 in the country! The good news just kept coming.

Our incoming undergraduate class, selected from our largest applicant pool ever, was among the top four percent of college-bound students nationwide. Their upper class colleagues proved no less impressive, picking up some of the nationís highest scholastic honors.

Our faculty and researchers had an extraordinary year as well. Tulane neurosurgeon Donald Richardsonís ground-breaking use of a deep brain stimulator to alleviate a young manís severe Touretteís syndrome is just one sterling and inspiring example of this yearís faculty achievements.

It was another record-breaking year for fundraising, too. In March we launched ìPromise and Distinction: The Campaign for Tulane,î accompanied by the news that we were nearly two-thirds of the way toward the goal of raising $700 million by 2008. Reaching this goal will establish Tulane as one of the most distinguished universities anywhere, an institution with the best students, a truly unique educational experience, the most important research and the greatest commitment to economic development and community engagement.

Thereís lot more to tell regarding this spectacular year, but I will save it for a comprehensive report on the universityís accomplishments Iíll send you in August. However, as we end this year, I wanted you all to know how much I appreciate your hard work. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you have done to make this academic year such a success.

Although this is the last weekly Tulane Talk until the fall, I will write periodically throughout the summer to keep you up to date on important news.

Have a great weekend,

TULANE TALK

May 20, 2005

Good Morning:

I led a group of faculty and administrators to the State Capitol this week where, as part of the annual Tulane Day at the Legislature, we gave Governor Blanco and various legislators an update on Tulane’s activities and its continued educational and economic importance to the state.

The highlight, however, came later that evening during a special ceremony in which we renamed a popular Tulane scholarship program in honor of our friend, the late Sen. John Hainkel. It was a particularly moving ceremony, with Johnís family in attendance. I think the family appreciated our gesture and, especially, the short film tribute we showed in honor of John.

Please take a minute to view this film at http://www2.tulane.edu/hainkel.cfm

You will be inspired by Sen. Hainkelís lifelong devotion to the people of this state and to the Green Wave.

Have a great Commencement Weekend,

TULANE TALK

May 6, 2005

Good morning:

Students in our Theatre and Dance Department can be forgiven for acting up lately.

First came the news that the departmentís presentation of the Civil War drama Hallowed Ground won a Big Easy Award for Best University Production. Then it was announced that Blythe Danner will join Emmy-winning writer-producer Tom Fontana (Homicide: Life on the Street, Oz) in a coaching session for theatre students May 9 from 11 to noon in McWilliams Hall, Room 104.

Blythe is a Tony-award winning actress whose career includes starring work in movies such as To Wong Foo: Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, as well as memorable roles as the long-suffering wife in The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides and Meet the Parents. She is also a longtime friend of our university through her marriage to Bruce Paltrow, a Tulane graduate and the director of television hits such as The White Shadow and St. Elsewhere.

Blythe and Bruceís 32-year marriage was the envy of Hollywood and gave the world Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and director Jake Paltrow. Bruce passed away in 2002, but his commitment to Tulane University and its students lives on through the efforts of Blythe and others.

Have a great weekend,