Tulane Talk November 30, 2001
TULANE TALK
November 30, 2001
Good Morning:
Today I am in El Dorado, Arkansas and Monroe visiting with various friends and alums of the university. As you know, I spend a good percentage of my time on the road spreading the word about Tulane.
Just before the Thanksgiving break Martha Barnett, former American Bar Association president and an attorney with the national law firm Holland & Knight LLP, was named to the Board of Tulane. Martha, a Newcomb alumna, currently serves on the Newcomb Dean’s Advisory Council. She was named Outstanding Alumna for Newcomb College in 1999 and Tulane University Distinguished Alumna in 2001. With her strong local ties and national perspective, Martha is a perfect addition to the board. We are absolutely delighted to have her more closely associated with the university.
I had a very productive luncheon and meeting this week with student leaders at our Health Sciences Center. Tuition, fees and handicap access were just a few of the items we discussed. I usually meet with student leaders from across the university two times a semester to discuss any topics of interest to them.
I wanted to let you know about a special service Tulane’s School of Architecture will hold in memory of Professor Malcolm Heard at the school’s J. Herndon Thomson Hall tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. A renowned architect, author and scholar, Professor Heard joined the Tulane faculty in 1981 and, for the past decade, taught a nationally known interdisciplinary course on the culture of New Orleans. Professor Heard’s legacy includes his work on New Orleans landmarks such as the Piazza d’Italia, his teaching and writings and his many contributions to the preservation of New Orleans’ architecture. Professor Heard’s death was an inestimable loss to Tulane and the New Orleans community.
I was delighted to learn this week that Tulane History Professor Kenneth Harl was one of two recipients for this year’s Robert Foster Cherry Awards for Great Teachers. The two winners of the award split a prize of $25,000 and presented a series of lectures at Baylor University. Baylor hosts the awards program to honor great teaching and “to expose Baylor University students to the world’s greatest teachers.” This award is just one further indication of the esteem Tulane faculty enjoy throughout the academic world.
Our young Lusher friends are back at their school now. It sure feels empty at Uptown Square. It was fun having them stay with us.
Enjoy your weekend,
Tulane Talk November 16, 2001
TULANE TALK
November 16, 2001
Good Morning:
This very difficult week began with a memorial service for Newcomb College sophomore Julia Harrison. I think Julia’s family was touched by the number of students, faculty and staff who attended the service in honor of her and for the outpouring of sympathy expressed.
We have had no additional cases of meningococcal disease on campus and our health officials do not fear an outbreak either at the university or among the general public. While indescribably tragic, our experts tell us that the two student deaths we have experienced within the past seven months is not out of the ordinary when one considers the vulnerability of college-age students to this disease.
The threat of meningococcal disease led off meetings I had this week with the Associated Student Body and members of the Board of Tulane. Everyone’s mind was also on the tragic crash of Flight 587 in New York and how badly we feel for the lives lost and for New Yorkers facing yet another tragedy in their city.
There were a few bright spots to the week. I received a pile of thank-you letters from the Lusher kids that would lift anyone’s spirits. The letters were simply beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. I hadn’t anticipated that our hospitality would mean so much to these young people.
I was also able to host the dedication ceremony for The Robert E. Flowerree III Courtyard, the Merryl and Sam Israel Jr. Environmental Sciences Building, the J. Bennett Johnston Bioenvironmental Sciences Quadrangle and the W.M. Keck Instrument Room. It was a picture-perfect night for the dedication. This complex is a wonderful addition to the campus.
Finally, I wanted to tell you about a special “Book Giving Tree” that, beginning November 19, will be placed at my office and at locations throughout campus, including the University Center, the Rue de la Course Coffeehouse, the Diboll Complex, the Health and Environmental Research Building and the Primate Center. You can help inspire the love of reading in a child this holiday season by selecting an ornament and buying a book of your choice for the child named on the ornament. It is a very worthy cause and I hope you will consider participating.
Have a good weekend,
Tulane Talk November 11, 2001
TULANE TALK
November 11, 2001
Dear Tulane Community:
I am writing you today with very sad news. Yesterday, November 10, Tulane student Julia A. Harrison died at Tulane University Hospital. Health officials have confirmed that Julia, 19, died of meningococcal blood infection. I met with Julia’s parents and her sister this morning to offer our deepest sympathy and to learn more about this student who was clearly a talented and exceptional person.
Julia, a Newcomb College sophomore, was from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She had a great passion for music and dance and was very active with music programming at WTUL. She was also involved in our Theatre and Dance Program. Her parents tell me that Julia was also deeply interested in our Latin American Studies program, as well, and had recently traveled to Cuba through Tulane’s Summer In Cuba Program. She had a real zest for expanding her intellectual and artistic talents and interests while at Tulane. Julia’s parents have expressed a desire to meet with the professors who had so influenced her life. This is a real reminder that what we do every day touches people’s lives in profound ways.
I want to assure everyone, and especially our students, that this tragic event does not place them in immediate danger. We have notified those individuals who we know had close physical contact with Julia in the last week of her life. Public health officials recommend that any other individuals who fit this description should consult their physician. Our Student Health Center has extended its hours to provide information and care for students who feel they require medical attention. Please refer to http://www2.tulane.edu/mourns_111101.cfm for more information on the symptoms and recommendations relating to meningococcal disease.
The untimely death of this extraordinary young woman has left the Tulane community heartsick. Her family and friends are in our prayers as we mourn with them at this most difficult time. We are currently planning a campus service in memory of Julia. I will let you know as soon as a date and time have been established.
Tulane Talk November 09, 2001
TULANE TALK
November 9, 2001
Good Morning:
It’s good to be Number 1. This week members of Tulane’s Army ROTC presented me with the 2001 Ranger Challenge Trophy they won in a recent national competition against 21 other university ROTC units. Tulane’s cadets participated in competition that involved tests of brains and brawn and they excelled in both categories. They are a very impressive group of young people that illustrate, yet again, the extraordinary talent of our students.
After all my recent travels, it was good to stay put for a week and get some office work done. Amidst committee meetings and financial reports, I learned that our Lusher kids will be staying with us for a little longer than expected since the repairs at their school are not yet complete. Someone called our office the other day and asked if Tulane professors were teaching the Lusher students at Uptown Square. Well, hopefully, that will one day be the case when some of these kids become Tulane students. But we’ll have to wait a few years for that.
I was really pleased by the turnout for last night’s first Presidential Symposium on bioterrorism. I think everyone who attended learned a lot about the new threat we are facing and how we can protect ourselves. The symposium was webcast and later today can be found at http://www2.tulane.edu/president_symposium.cfm. I want to personally thank each of our outstanding panelists: John Clements, Donald Krogstad, William Hartley, Rebecca Meriwether, Susan McLellan and our moderator Robert Robins for their efforts.
I also had an opportunity to give several talks in the community this week. There are three themes I always weave into my presentations, regardless of the topic on which I’m asked to speak: the role of a university in building the intellectual capital of a community; why and how a research university should address the pressing social problems in its community; and the role major universities should play in economic development. Not surprisingly, I also use these occasions to tout Tulane University.
Today I am traveling with our football team to Annapolis for our game against Navy. I’ll be back on Sunday to address a Veterans Day gathering at 1 p.m. in Pocket Park. On hand will be our honored veterans, State Sen. Ken Hollis, State Rep. Steve Scalise and students and faculty from throughout the city. Please join us to honor our veterans and pay tribute to the victims of September 11.
Tulane Talk November 02, 2001
TULANE TALK
November 2, 2001
Good Morning:
I spent the early part of this week in New York City visiting with our Board members, Parents Council members, President’s Council members and various alums who live there. It was good to see that, despite all the recent tragedy visited upon it, New York still has the same vibrancy, verve and “can-do” attitude that has made it one of the greatest cities on earth. There is a gritty determination among New Yorkers that I admire. Even though I was raised a red-blooded Dodger fan, I have even decided to root for the Yankees in the World Series. New Yorkers need something to cheer about in these difficult times.
I came home Thursday to attend the dedication of Ben Weiner Hall in the Wilson Athletic Center and for the investiture of Rick Dickson as The Ben Weiner Athletic Director’s Chair. Recently, the Weiner Foundation transferred $3.5 million in assets to Tulane for its athletics program. Mr. Weiner, a Tulane alumnus, was president of the Green Wave Club and a Tulane booster throughout his life. We are indebted to Mr. Weiner, who passed away in 1997, for remembering Tulane so generously.
I also learned that Tulane received a major grant from the National Institutes of Health to study cardiovascular disease in kidney patients over a seven-year period. The grant will establish a clinical center in New Orleans that will track about 500 study participants. The New Orleans center will be one of only seven established throughout the country.
The highlight of today will be the retirement party for Pete Gerone, the outgoing director of Tulane’s Regional Primate Research Center. Pete has directed the center since 1971. To date I believe this is the fourth retirement party we’ve hosted for Pete who has been trying to retire since 1998. Thankfully, he agreed to stay on while we conducted the search for a worthy successor. I promise, Pete, this will be the last retirement party. We will miss you.
Once again, please mark November 8 on your calendar for the Presidential Symposium “Bioterrorism: What You Need To Know” that will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the University Center’s Kendall Cram Room. This is a great chance for us all to learn the facts about anthrax and other threats from our own faculty experts who have researched these issues for years. This event is open to everyone at Tulane and in the New Orleans community. To learn more about this event visit http://www2.tulane.edu/president_symposium.cfm.
I wasn’t the only Tulanian in New York this week. Art Brief, who holds the Lawrence Martin Chair of Business at Tulane and coordinates the annual Burkenroad Symposium, was in the Big Apple to accept the “Beyond Grey Pinstripes 2001 Business School Faculty Pioneer Award for Academic Leadership.” This prestigious award, given by The Aspen Institute Initiative for Social Innovation through Business and the World Resources Institute, honors Art’s commitment to broadening the business school’s curriculum to include issues of ethics and social justice. Congratulations, Art.
Finally, the President’s Council is meeting today. This advisory group is comprised of approximately 40 friends and alums from across the U.S. The group meets twice a year and advises me and the senior team on a host of important issues. They are invaluable to the university.
Have a good weekend,
Tulane Talk October 26, 2001
TULANE TALK
October 26, 2001
Good Morning:
Well, after a lot of hard work by our staff, we have created a temporary home in Tulane’s portion of Uptown Square for the more than 600 Lusher Elementary students who were displaced last week by a fire at their school. The students will attend classes at the shopping center until Nov. 5 when their school will be repaired. Check out http://www2.tulane.edu/neighbors/lusher.cfm to see how the kids have transformed the square with all their energy and bright smiles.
I spent the early part of this week at the biannual meeting of the presidents of the AAU, an association of the top research universities in North America. At this meeting the presidents of the various member universities discussed federal research funding, university collaborations, the government and industry, research accountability, science and technology, workforce issues and athletic reform. I will summarize our discussions on each topic and post them on the University Senate’s web page after the November meeting.
At the Town Hall meetings held on Wednesday and Thursday I discussed last year’s university-wide accomplishments in the context of our strategic plan, our major objectives for this year and the impact of September 11 on the university’s future. For those of you who were unable to attend the meetings, you can find the presentation I gave at http://pulse.tcs.tulane.edu:7070/ramgen/media/tw102401.rm
I also wanted to let you know about the upcoming Presidential Symposium “Bioterrorism: What You Need To Know” that will be held Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the University Center’s Kendall Cram Room. This symposium will include remarks from several Tulane professors who have conducted extensive research in this area and who have recently shared their views with national audiences via “Nightline,” CNN and other major news outlets. This will be a great chance for you to ask questions and learn more about this issue directly from the experts.
Finally, I wanted to tell you about Elberto Gonzalez-Rubio B, who paid me a visit yesterday. This gentleman, a native of Colombia, earned a degree in architecture from Tulane in the early 1940s and went on to become quite prominent in his native country. He eventually rose to the position of Secretary of Public Works and in 1963 was appointed President of the Universidad del Atlantico. For his 80th birthday his family treated him to a trip to the United States. One of the places he most wanted to visit again was Tulane. It was a delight to meet him and his family. The visit reminded me of how Tulane can remain such an integral part of a person’s life over many years and many miles.
Oh, and last, but certainly not least, I wanted to add two pieces of personal news this week that have occupied my mind. First, Margie and I became grandparents for the first time with the arrival of a little girl named Louise. It is hard to think of ourselves as grandparents but it does feel good. Second, Gibson had surgery on her hip on Wednesday and the doctor assures us she will be as good as new in just a few weeks.
Have a good weekend.
Tulane Talk October 19, 2001
TULANE TALK
October 19, 2001
Good Morning:
I spent most of this week in northern California meeting with alumni, parents and friends of the university. It was a productive trip that should lead to real benefits for Tulane. As you all know, travel is much more difficult and time consuming now because of additional security requirements. Yet, the trip went relatively smoothly with a minimum of delays.
Unfortunately, we have been reading quite a bit these days about the topic of bioterrorism. I want you to know that we are closely monitoring these developments and adjusting, as appropriate, our procedures to make sure we continue to have a safe, healthy and secure campus. Occasionally, you will receive some broadcast e-mails on the topic for informational purposes. Take the time to read them and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you have any concerns.
We had some unexpected, but thoroughly welcome, visitors this week. Some 200 students from nearby Lusher Elementary evacuated to Tulane Wednesday after a fire damaged part of their school. The students were taken to the University Center where Red Cross workers met them. Thankfully, there were no injuries but damage was so extensive that part of Lusher will be closed until Nov. 5. We are currently looking for space at Tulane to house the students so they can continue their studies while their school is being repaired.
There are several upcoming events and activities I wanted to let you know were happening. This evening at 5 p.m. we will welcome Stephen Jay Gould, one of the country’s most popular lecturers on scientific matters to Dixon Hall. Gould’s lecture is the first installment of the Crossroads Colloquium, a new lecture and workshop series that provides a forum to discuss issues of relevance to both the humanities and the sciences. Gould, the Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Professor of Geology at Harvard University, is the perfect speaker to open the series. Through his writings and numerous television appearances Gould has fascinated audiences with his ideas, articulated by the use of batting averages and other common analogies, regarding humanity’s place on the evolutionary ladder. Today’s presentation promises to be entertaining and thought provoking.
Manish Jain, one of our medical students, has organized two major fundraising efforts, in cooperation with the NOPD, to benefit the families of police officers who died in the Sept. 11 attacks. Manish and other medical school students will collect money on street corners throughout the New Orleans area on Oct. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. If you can’t contribute then, show your Tulane ID between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. tonight at Marisol’s, Adolfo’s, Cafe Negril, Mona’s Cafe or Old Dog New Trick Cafe in the Fauborg Marigny and a percentage of your food bill will support the same cause. Also this weekend is the Third Annual Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Charity Shopping Weekend. From Oct. 18 to Oct. 21, a percentage of all sales at Saks Fifth Avenue will benefit the Tulane Cancer Center. Treat yourself to a weekend of shopping for a great cause.
On October 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. all of us who contributed to this year’s United Way/Community Shares campaign will gather in Dixon Hall to celebrate “Together We Stand,” a special event featuring drawings for numerous gifts, patriotic music and a special luncheon catered by Portobello Caf˝. This year we will have one event for contributors with continual round-trip bus service from the Health Sciences Center so that downtown faculty and staff are able to participate. Next year the event will be held downtown.
Finally, I want to urge you to attend the Town Hall meetings that I will host on October 24 at 2 p.m. in the Kendall Cram Room and on October 25 at 2 p.m. in the Medical School Auditorium. At these meetings we’ll discuss the exciting progress we are making on the 10-year Strategic Plan as well as our objectives for this year. It’s vital that I have you present to discuss these important issues. See you then. Have a great weekend.
Tulane Talk October 12, 2001
TULANE TALK
October 12, 2001
Good Morning:
This week is our annual Parent/Family Weekend when families from all over the country return to Tulane to visit their sons and daughters at their new campus homes. Parents will sit in on classes, meet professors, tour the campus and attend a host of lectures, concerts and other special presentations. I will host a Parent’s Convocation this afternoon to update them on recent and planned events at the university.
This year the Parent/Family Weekend coincides with our Homecoming Celebration and features an incredible array of reunions, receptions, gatherings and special events including our annual “Paint The Town Green” parade this evening at 5:15 on the Monroe Quad. My first event for this year’s Homecoming actually took place last night when I hosted a reception for alumni from the classes of 1926 through 1951. We had over 200 alumni in attendance and it was enlightening to hear all the stories about the “old days” at Tulane. These stories embody the values and culture of the institution. I find them fascinating.
I spent most of this week in meetings with various deans, administrators, parent’s groups and Board Committee members. I also hosted a luncheon for student leaders on Wednesday. One thing the students wanted to make sure I mentioned to you was the car wash they are hosting this Sunday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. behind the Mayer Residence. All proceeds from the car wash will benefit the New York Police & Fire Fighters Children’s & Widow’s Benefit Fund. This is another way for all of us to help our fellow citizens recover from the Sept. 11 disaster.
In addition to all the Parent/Family and Homecoming events, this Sunday I will meet with members of the ABET Engineering Accreditation Team as they begin their review of the School of Engineering’s programs. Shortly thereafter I am off to California for a series of meetings with alumni and other friends of the university. I will tell you more about the trip next Friday.
Have a nice weekend,
Tulane Talk October 05, 2001
TULANE TALK
October 5, 2001
Good Morning:
Remember the November 8 Presidential Symposium I mentioned in last week’s Tulane Talk? Unfortunately, our speaker Dr. Ruth L. Kirschstein, acting director of the National Institutes of Health, is unable to attend this special event due to job-related demands following the September 11 terrorist attacks. I definitely plan to reschedule this event and will let you know as soon as I have a date and speaker. In the meantime, mark the date of Januuary 14th for the Presidential Symposia in Neurosciences.
Speaking of upcoming events, I want to encourage you to attend the Town Hall meetings that I will host on October 24 at 2 p.m. in the Kendall Cram Room and on October 25 at 2 p.m.in the Medical School Auditorium. These meetings will allow us time to discuss the exciting progress we are making on the 10-year Strategic Plan we implemented in 1998 as well as our objectives for this year.
This week began with two important receptions. On Sunday night we welcomed our new Provost Lester Lefton with a dinner at #2 Audubon and on Monday we hosted a reception for our new faculty members. Our new faculty members are a great group and I’m expecting wonderful things from them and continued excellence from all our faculty under the guidance of Lester Lefton.
Monday, I also met with the University Senate, a group of faculty, staff and students who advise me on university policies. We discussed how the tragedy of September 11 is likely to impact our goals in the weeks and months ahead. Here is a http to an e-mail I sent to our Deans, Directors and Department Heads regarding this subject.
I spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Chicago meeting with prominent Tulane alumni and friends who all gave me assurances of support as we continue to advance Tulane’s mission. I came back home in time to learn that the membership of our newly created Presidential Task Force on Diversity and Equity had been finalized. This task force will be charged with determining ways in which we can best provide equal opportunity for all members of Tulane’s wonderfully diverse family. You can read more about the purpose of this Task Force in the next issue of Inside Tulane.
I also received the good news that Dr. Cheryl A. Nickerson in our Department of Microbiology and Immunology has been selected to receive NASA’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Dr. Nickerson will receive her award at a White House ceremony later this month. Congratulations, Dr. Nickerson. This is a great honor for you and Tulane University.
Enjoy your weekend,
Tulane Talk September 28, 2001
TULANE TALK
September 28, 2001
Good Morning:
I began this week by meeting at my home with student leaders and the student affairs officers of each of Tulane’s schools and colleges. My purpose in calling this meeting was to determine how we, as a university, could help students better process and understand the events of the past two weeks.
One common theme that emerged from this and other meetings was the need for additional forums and “teach-ins” that will provide students with all the pertinent facts, historical perspectives and ramifications of the September 11th attacks. I am proud that our students are taking the steps that will allow them to become better informed and more responsible participants in our democracy and I will definitely honor their request for more forums.
Tuesday morning began with an interview on WSMB’s Ed Clancy Show regarding Tulane’s response to the terrorists attacks. I also spent part of Tuesday, via teleconference, with my fellow board members of the American Council on Education as they met in Washington, D.C. The council includes 1,800 colleges and universities and serves as a forum for the discussion of issues related to higher education.
On Wednesday I met with representatives of the governor’s office to discuss a proposed state-funded project aimed at encouraging the growth of biotechnology and environmental science start ups and businesses here in New Orleans and throughout the state. The project would include the creation of laboratories throughout the state to serve as the foundation and stimulus for a flourishing science-based industry. Such an industry would obviously have vast benefits for our universities and our entire state.
This morning I shared my perspective on what it takes to turn a city around and what role a university can play in this process to approximately 200 commercial real estate professionals at a gathering downtown. I am also looking forward to welcoming Wayne Leonard, CEO of Entergy, to the Leadership Class I teach each Friday morning and meeting with the School of Social Work’s Alumni Board.
Saturday I will watch as our Green Wave Football team takes on the Jaguars of Southern University in what promises to be the start of a great tradition for our city. Here’s hoping we start that tradition with a victory.
Before I end I want to invite you all to the upcoming Presidential Symposium that will be held November 8 at 2 p.m. in the School of Medicine Auditorium. The featured speaker will be Ruth L. Kirschstein, acting director of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Kirschstein will discuss the evolution of infectious diseases over the last century and the threat they pose today. This is the first in a series of symposia that will allow the entire Tulane community to listen to and exchange ideas with the country’s leading scientists and policy makers. Be sure to mark your calendar for this important date.
Have a good weekend,