Tulane Talk April 18, 2005
TULANE TALK
April 18, 2005
Good afternoon:
Angelo DeNisi, an extremely well-respected scholar, indeed a star among business school faculty, has been appointed dean of the A.B. Freeman School of Business effective July 1.
Angelo is currently the Paul M. and Rosalie Robertson Chair in Business and the head of the department of management at Texas A&M University. He was also recently named a University Distinguished Professor at Texas A&M. After receiving his Ph.D in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Purdue University, Angelo taught at Kent State University, the University of South Carolina and Rutgers University before moving to Texas A&M.
Angelo is a fellow and president-elect of the Academy of Management, the worldís oldest and largest scholarly management association. He has held leadership roles in many organizations, including serving as president of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, which awarded him its 2005 Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award.
Angeloís research on performance appraisal, expatriate management and workers with disabilities has been funded by the Army Research Institute, the National Science Foundation and other government agencies. He has been widely published in scholarly journals, serves on the editorial board of several major academic publications and is also the co-author of a textbook on human resource management.
Angeloís wife, Adrienne Colella, also a business professor at Texas A&M, will join the Tulane business school faculty as well this summer. I hope you all join me in welcoming Angelo and Adrienne to the Tulane community.
When Angelo begins his deanship in July, he will replace James McFarland, who has served in that position since 1988. The entire Tulane community is indebted to James for his many years of service to the university and his tireless efforts that have increased both the physical size and national standing of the A.B. Freeman School of Business, making it one of the top business programs in the country. We are also grateful that James will be staying on as a member of our distinguished faculty.
Tulane Talk April 15, 2005
TULANE TALK
April 15, 2005
Good Morning:
Perhaps youíve noticed a film crew busily working on campus lately. This crew is comprised of students from Tulaneís new Feature Film Production course which, under the direction of veteran Hollywood actor Harold Sylvester (A&S ’72) and theatre and dance professors Ron Gural and Jim Fitzmorris, teaches the ins and outs of film writing, acting and producing.
The 80 or so students who registered for this class wrote the filmís original screenplay, which involves multiple New Orleans story lines set against the backdrop of an approaching hurricane. Students play most of the roles in the production, which will be completed this summer. The film will then make the festival circuit and be shopped around for distribution as a full-length feature film.
What an exciting, educational experience this class is for our students. Innovative courses such as this will play a significant role in training the next generation of writers, directors, producers and actors to meet the needs of a movie industry which has found a new home in New Orleans or, as we are now sometimes referred to, ìHollywood South.î
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk April 08, 2005
TULANE TALK
April 8, 2005
Good Morning:
All week long I have been reading and thinking about Pope John Paul II. His death has had a profound impact on so many people around the world, regardless of their religious affiliations or beliefs.
For me, the Popeís contributions to the world community as a messenger of peace and hope have set an extraordinary example of leadership so desperately needed during these challenging times. As a world leader, his compassion,empathy, personal appeal and humanity left an indelible mark on millions, transcending anyone’s faith, country of origin or station in life.
Of course, as with all great leaders, there are those who disagreed with the Pope on matters of philosophy and principles; yet, dissent is one of the inevitable consequences of leadership. Despite any differences one may have had with the Pope’s views, his courage, ability to inspire and empower others, and his personal magnetism are qualities to be admired and emulated.
As we mourn the Popeís death, I hope his memory becomes a lasting reminder of how one person can make such a difference for so many.
Tulane Talk April 01, 2005
TULANE TALK
April 1, 2005
Good Morning:
This calls for a toast. Christopher Medlock James, co-founder of Medlock Ames vineyard and winery, has joined the Board of Tulane.
But wine-making is just a sideline for Chris. A 1991 graduate of Tulane University, he is also chairman and CEO of Partner Fund Management, a hedge fund he started in 2004. Prior to this, Chris was the chief investment officer and managing director of Andor Capital Management, the second largest hedge fund in the world. In addition, he is an officer of the James Family Foundation, which provides support in the fields of education, the environment, land resources, family services, hospitals and libraries.
Chris has also established the David Andrew Tretter Scholarship in Engineering at Tulane, provided funding that led to the creation of Tulaneís Innovative Learning Center and provided funding for the University Centerís renovation. The whole Tulane community will benefit from the youth and energy Chris will bring to the board. I look forward to working with him.
U.S. News and World Report has released its rankings of Americaís Best Graduate Schools. The Tulane Law School was ranked 41. The law schoolís Environmental Law Program was ranked 5 and the A.B.Freeman School of Business was ranked 45. As I have stated many times before, these rankings are by no means the final word on a universityís quality. However, we are always glad that in this, and other rankings, Tulane is consistently counted among the top universities in the nation.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk March 24, 2005
TULANE TALK
March 24, 2005
Good morning:
The link below will bring you to a very brief video of Ambassador Lindy Boggs dancing, NFL running back Mewelde Moore singing, Riptide sporting a new look, television host Evan Farmer receiving a kiss he will not soon forget and much more: http://distinction.tulane.edu/launch.htm
This was all part of last weekís launch of “Promise and Distinction: The Campaign for Tulane” which, with your help, was an overwhelming success. I hope this short video will help you begin a wonderful long weekend with your family and friends.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk March 18, 2005
TULANE TALK
March 18, 2005
Good Morning:
From the front page of the newspaper to the board room to 29 alumni cities across the nation, the launch of “Promise and Distinction: The Campaign for Tulane” is getting rave reviews.
A major part of the excitment was yesterday’s announcement of a $6 million gift from Bertie Deming Smith and her late husband, Dr. John W. Deming (M’44), who have brought so many good things to Tulane throughout the years, including their daughter, Board of Tulane Chair Cathy Pierson. This latest gift, $5 million of which will go to the endowment with the rest benefiting the Murphy Institute for Political Economy, brings us to approximately the $478 million mark toward our goal of $700 million.
The launch continues today with “The Big Splash” from 3 to 5 p.m. on the Gibson Quad. This will be a great time for all students, faculty and staff to celebrate.
“The Big Splash” will feature the music of Marcia Ball plus New Orleans favorites like crawfish pies, jambalaya, cotton candy, red beans and rice and more. It is going to be a great day. See you there.
Tulane Talk March 16, 2005
TULANE TALK
March 16, 2005
Dear Tulane Community,
What a week this is with all the activities and festivities associated with the launch of ìPromise and Distinction: The Campaign for Tulane.î Thursday and Friday are packed with events that show the best of Tulane and I hope you are planning to take advantage of them.
To take our celebration to a fitting conclusion, Friday is hereby declared Tulane Spirit Day. You are invited to wear your Tulane colors and show your Green Wave spirit at the Big Splash, our all-campus celebration. Roman Candy, Lucky Dogs, Marcia Ball and a sea of greenówhat a way to end the week!
See you on campus.
Tulane Talk March 11, 2005
TULANE TALK
March 11, 2005
Good morning:
Do you think I have what it takes to conduct the Tulane Concert Band? Have you ever seen a glass-blowing exhibition where beautiful forms emerge from a fiery furnace? Are you a fan of novelist Ellen Gilchrist? Have you ever wanted to learn more about the miraculous potential of gene therapy? Would you like to receive tips on investment opportunities from a Wall Street expert?
If so, be sure to attend one or more of these ìHighlights of Tulane,î March 16 and 17:
- A performance sponsored by the Tulane Music Department that will spotlight the talents of Tulane students in the Tulane Symphony Orchestra, the Tulane Concert Band, the Tulane Choir, the Tulane Jazz Combo and Tulane soloists and musical theater students. The finale of the concert will be the ìTulane Fight Song,î conducted by yours truly. (I hope they bring their sheet music.) March 16 at 8 p.m. in Dixon Hall.
- A glass-blowing and casting exhibition led by renowned glass artist Gene Koss, March 17 at 11 a.m. in the Pace-Willson Glass Studio.
- A talk with National Book Award winner Ellen Gilchrist, March 17 at noon in the Myra Clare Roges Chapel.
- A lecture by Darwin Prockop, a national leader in using adult stem cells in gene therapy, March 17 at 1 p.m. in Myra Clare Rogers Chapel.
- A presentation by stock expert Peter Ricchiuti on Louisiana business and investment opportunities. March 17 at 2 p.m. in the high-tech trading room of Goldring/Woldenberg II.
These highlights will help mark the public launch of “Promise and Distinction: The Campaign for Tulane University.î They also represent an excellent opportunity to showcase Tulane’s outstanding faculty. Hope you can attend at least one of these exciting events.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk March 04, 2005
TULANE TALK
March 4, 2005
Good morning:
Two newcomers to the Tulane University community have really impressed me recently. In only their second year of competition, the Green Wave swimming and diving team won the 2005 Conference USA Championship last week and head coach Daniella Irle was named Conference USA Coach of the Year. This is an incredible accomplishment for this team.
I had the opportunity to visit another Tulane newcomer this week when I attended a reception celebrating the donation to Tulane of ìA Studio in the Woods,î a retreat on the forested banks of the Mississippi River where visual, literary and performance artists go to work uninterrupted.
The studio is a natural fit for Tulane since its mission corresponds to our commitment to the arts, education, human and environmental health and research and community outreach. If this weekís reception, which attracted more than 200 people interested in supporting the studio, is any indication, this new addition to the Tulane family has a bright future. We are indebted to Joe and Lucianne Carmichael for donating their ìStudio in the Woodsî to Tulane.
An artists’ retreat and a swimming and diving team might not seem to have much in common but their excellence proves that the winning tradition of Tulane comes in many forms, old and new.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk February 25, 2005
TULANE TALK
February 25, 2005
Good Morning:
Tulane University was founded as a Medical College in 1834 to address the epidemics that devastated our region. Next week Tulane University medical students will address another devastating epidemic through “Global AIDS Week of Action,” an effort to increase HIV/AIDS awareness around the world and, especially, in Louisiana, which ranks fifth-highest in AIDS cases.
Sometimes the numbers, the stories, the faces and the sheer enormity of the AIDS tragedy can be overwhelming, making the situation appear hopeless. But, I have to believe that through an untiring commitment to education, research and care we will one day make AIDS a reality as distant as the epidemics of 1834.
I hope you will be able to attend at least one of the “Global AIDS Week of Action” events which are listed at http://www2.tulane.edu/tulane_talk/global_aids_wk05.cfm
Have a great weekend,