Tulane Talk September 22, 2012
TULANE TALK
September 21, 2012
Good Morning:
Each fall I visit with various internal and external audiences to discuss the state of the university and to share our institutional goals for the year.
Our primary goals this year are rooted in our vision for the university and our core academic mission. They include developing plans for the university and each academic unit for the next decade; exploring ways to make a Tulane education more affordable, accessible, global and digital; continuing to improve Tulane’s retention and graduation rates and securing the School of Medicine’s position as one of the country’s best.
Other goals are headline-grabbing and highly visible, such as breaking ground on the new Tulane stadium and Residential College III. While some goals, such as meeting our financial projections or completing our debt restructuring and bond offering, are less exciting but equally important.
There are goals that will bring new faces to Tulane, such as filling the Sacks Distinguished Chair in Social Innovation and Community Engagement and the vice president for Facilities Services positions. Goals such as the renovation of the Central Building, the game day venue for our basketball teams, and the JBJ building and Howard-Tilton Memorial Library will give new vitality to old friends. And a substantial, multi-year financial commitment will upgrade and strengthen our information technology capabilities.
Meeting goals such as completing the construction of Flower Hall will enhance the research capacity of the university, especially in the School of Science and Engineering, while planning for a new dining and residence hall promises to increase our student amenities. Our fundraising goals include continuing to raise private funds to historic levels and laying the groundwork for a new major capital campaign. We also plan to continue partnering with national, state and local public officials in the areas of youth development, health care, the arts and the physical revitalization of New Orleans.
Establishing and reviewing these goals keeps us focused and energizes us for the new academic year. I know with the dedication and hard work of you – the world’s most extraordinary students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and supporters – we will achieve all of these goals and more.
Have a great weekend and remember to support Devon and the Green Wave at 11 a.m. tomorrow as we face Ole Miss at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Tulane Talk September 14, 2012
TULANE TALK
September 14, 2012
Good Morning:
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Devon Walker that has come from around the campus, community and country.
Devon’s accident has motivated people everywhere to find ways to assist him and his family through their messages, donations and creative ideas. For example, Tulane seniors Brad Girson and Jesse Schwartz are selling T-shirts and wristbands they designed themselves to benefit the Devon Walker Fund. Shirts can be purchased http, at the bookstore and at the Tulane Team Shop in the Wilson Center. Proceeds from these sales will be donated to a http established in Devon’s name.
Tulane’s Undergraduate Student Government will host “Green Out for Devon,” a rally to show support and raise funds for Devon and his family today at 6:30 p.m. at Gorson Porch on the LBC Quad.
Tulane Athletics Director Rick Dickson was with Devon in Tulsa from the moment of the accident until late this week. When Rick left Devon and his family at St. Francis Hospital, he immediately sent a staff member to Tulsa who will continue to assist the family. Tulane and the wider community will continue to do whatever they can to support Devon and his family as he recovers.
Among the many prayers, well-wishes and concern expressed for Devon from around the country, is this http from Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott.
We join Ronnie and everyone who is supporting and praying for Devon in the belief that he will indeed “continue to see his greatness.” And we are all honored and awed to witness Devon’s remarkable courage, strength and spirit.
Tulane Talk September 10, 2012
TULANE TALK
Dear Tulane Community:
Devon Walker, a senior safety on our football team, was seriously injured during Saturday’s game against Tulsa. Devon suffered a cervical fracture and was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, where he had surgery to stabilize his spine yesterday afternoon.
The entire Tulane community is devastated by his injury. As a father, grandfather, university president and lover of all that is Tulane, my thoughts and prayers are with Devon and his family.
Devon epitomizes the best of college athletics and scholarship. A cell and molecular biology major who plans to become a pharmacist, Devon overcame great odds and adversity to earn a starting position and a scholarship as a walk-on at Tulane.
Given his character, we are confident Devon will face his recovery with the determination and courage that define him as a person. And we will be by his side to fully support him in his journey.
We are in frequent contact with Devon’s doctors, his family and teammates, providing any assistance we can, including counseling for his fellow student-athletes and coaches. Devon is receiving the best medical care possible, and we are deeply grateful to all those caring for him at St. Francis.
Many of you have asked how you can help. As we learn more about Devon’s condition in the next few days we will be in a better position to offer specific suggestions. In the meantime, please keep him in your prayers and visit http.edu/devonwalker/ where you can send Devon and his family your best wishes and follow his progress.
As a community, we have always overcome adversity because we support one another, never lose faith and remember what is truly important in life. Let’s use our collective strength, love and will to support Devon as he recovers.
Tulane Talk September 07, 2012
TULANE TALK
September 7, 2012
Good Morning:
It was so nice to look out my office window this week and see the campus alive once again with students hurrying to classes, studying, biking, chatting on their phones, laughing and doing what college students are supposed to do. Such scenes were repeated on all our campuses as we welcomed back a record 13,500 students from 50 states and more than 100 countries.
Isaac may have delayed the start of our new semester a bit, but we are definitely back in full swing. In fact, since our academic calendar is arranged to allow for such disruptions, we won’t have to schedule makeup classes for the vast majority of students, with the exception of some students in some of our professional schools.
And Isaac continues to be a bonding experience. Today at 2 p.m. students are invited to meet on the back steps of Gibson Hall, facing the quad, for some free Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt and the opportunity to share their Isaac stories.
But while Isaac is a memory for us, we know many in our city and surrounding parishes continue to struggle in the aftermath of the storm. So in keeping with our motto, “Not for oneself, but for one’s own,” we are organizing debris removal and other cleanup projects as part of our annual http Tulane program. This, too, is what college students are supposed to do — at least Tulane students.
Have a great weekend,
Tulane Talk August 31, 2012
TULANE TALK
August 31, 2012
Good Afternoon:
As we continue to prepare the campus for a full opening on Tuesday, I want to thank all of our students, parents, staff and faculty who are taking us through Hurricane Isaac. Isaac was not the biggest storm but it was uncommonly unpredictable, from its initial forecast that targeted Florida to its final landfall that stalled right over us.
Obviously, Isaac has upended our lives for days. It is also giving us a shared experience that will bring the Tulane community closer together, teach us great lessons in friendship and resiliency and remind us of what matters most.
Throughout the storm I visited students in their residence halls and talked to off-campus students. The welcome they gave me, their unflagging good humor, their http and laughter lifted my spirits and sustained me. Our dedicated employees who are working around the clock while coping with their personal issues are inspiring me. These people are truly remarkable individuals.
Shared experiences like Isaac can create unforgettable memories and lasting friendships. They also build a community of caring, thoughtful, intelligent and concerned citizens with the common good closest to their hearts. That is true whether you have been at Tulane for 15 years or 5 days.
So how can I render sufficient thanks to all of you? I can’t. I can only offer my deepest gratitude, admiration and respect. And I can only say over and over again, “Thank you.”
Tulane Talk August 27, 2012
TULANE TALK
August 27, 2012
Good Afternoon:
As Isaac approaches I thought I would share some information and thoughts with you. At a time like this it is normal to be anxious and concerned about what may confront us. However, I want you to know that we are well-prepared for Isaac and have ample experience in evaluating and handling such storms. Most importantly, I want to assure you that Isaac is not anticipated to be anything like Hurricane Katrina in strength and direction of approach. Likewise, New Orleansí flood protection system has been significantly strengthened in the seven years since Katrina. It is tempting for the media to make comparisons between the storms, but the facts do not support such an analysis. Isaac and Katrina are vastly different.
Since last Saturday, the universityís senior leadership team has met multiple times to make all the necessary preparations for the storm. Our decisions are based on information from several public and private weather services and from discussions with state and city officials as well as the other universities in the area. The senior leadership makes decisions based on the best interests of the entire community after thoroughly reviewing all the information at its disposal. We will continue to communicate these plans and decisions on a regular basis via http.tulane.edu, the Tulane Alert Line (1-877-862-8080 or 504-862-8080), email and text messages. We have also established a Call Center (504-247-1340) for any student who needs assistance or has any questions regarding storm preparations.
The entire senior team and I will be on our campuses throughout the storm. I will personally visit residence halls and other campus areas frequented by students to ensure their well-being. In addition to other means of communicating, I also plan to tweet my personal observations of events as they occur from @TulaneScott. I can assure you that we have ample staff, experience and necessary supplies to wait out Isaac. I appreciate your patience and understanding at a time like this. We will come through this storm just fine and then jump right back into a great new academic year.
Tulane Talk August 24, 2012
TULANE TALK
August 24, 2012
Good Morning:
Tomorrow we will officially welcome the Class of 2016-17 as they move into their campus rooms for the first time. I cherish the tradition of Move-In Day and the pride, joy and tears with which Tulane parents usher their children into adulthood.
We are expecting great things from this class, which enters Tulane as one of the most academically qualified and service-minded classes ever. These newest Tulanians can’t fathom the difference they will make on the city and on all of us as they learn, explore and engage our community. I look forward to working with them and all of our students, faculty and staff as we continue to enhance the reach and impact of Tulane University.
I am also glad to be communicating with you once again via Tulane Talk. This was a momentous summer for Margie and me. Our fourth grandchild was born August 6. His name is Joseph (aka Joey or perhaps J.D.) and he is our third grandson. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 12 ounces. He is as adorable as his grandmother Margie, known as Honey to all our grandchildren. They call me Pops, by the way. We can’t wait to see him in a few weeks.
On a sad note, our wonderful and sweet dog, Gibson, died July 18. Of course, we are heartbroken and think about her every day. She was doing what she loved the most – relaxing in the pool – just days before she died. We have wonderful memories of Gibson and want to thank all of you who befriended her. We will particularly miss Gibson tomorrow. She always joined us on the golf cart to welcome new students and parents, which brought a smile to everyone’s face. Here is a picture of Gibson that shows her at one of her happiest moments.
Tulane Talk June 01, 2012
TULANE TALK
June 1, 2012
Good Morning:
This will be the last regular Tulane Talk until next fall although, as always, I reserve the right to contact you periodically over the next three months if there is some major news, event or project I can’t wait to share with you.
I know you will stay busy this summer, but I do hope you get some time away to relax and recharge. You have once again given your all and it shows in the ground-breaking research, award-winning teaching, compassionate medical care, fundraising, accounting, auditing, construction, recruiting, coaching, grounds-keeping, maintenance, food service, management, security and countless other services you have rendered with dedication, pride and expertise. It is an honor to be associated with all of you.
Thank you, once again, for a wonderful year and the promise of a great future.
Have a great summer,
Tulane Talk May 25, 2012
TULANE TALK
May 25, 2012
Good Morning:
Tulane University will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day and in gratitude to the men and women, including many Tulanians, who have given their lives to defend our country and ensure our freedoms.
Please keep their memories and sacrifices close to your hearts and utmost in your minds this weekend.
Tulane Talk May 18, 2012
TULANE TALK
May 18, 2012
Good Morning:
Tomorrow is Commencement! As someone who has watched the class of 2012 become not merely college graduates but symbols of all that is right, that is caring, that is connected and that is engaged in their community, country and world, I can tell you that I am one proud president.
That is what I kept thinking as I signed the 2,700 diplomas that will be distributed tomorrow and as I prepared and practiced my Commencement remarks. What an honor it is going to be to salute this wonderful class.
Of course, I am not the only one excited about tomorrow. Besides the graduates themselves and the adoring family, friends, faculty, staff and alumni who will attend the ceremony, C-SPAN will be on hand to cover the event. In addition, NBC Nightly News, The Huffington Post and Yahoo! Video have requested footage of all the speeches, music and fun that is a Tulane Commencement. Our local media will be there as well.
I know I will also see many of you there tomorrow, especially our dedicated volunteers – the behind-the-scenes wizards who year in and year out make Commencement such a magical and memorable moment for Tulane and its graduates.
Now, off to rehearsals.
Have a great weekend,