December 8, 2005

Tulane University announces a bold Renewal Plan that will 'ensure world-class excellence' of the institution. The wide-ranging plan brings about changes to undergraduate and graduate programs, the School of Medicine and intercollegiate athletics. The Winter 2006 issue of Tulanian explores the plan in depth.

A special holiday message from President Cowen looks forward to the New Year and a new season of hope and renewal for Tulane.

January 2006

The Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina Memorial Website serves as a living journal for those who survived, and as a memorial to the places, family and friends we have lost.

To help celebrate the reopening of local universities, New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis delivers a powerful speech about the cultural rebirth of New Orleans and then performs to a packed house at McAlister Auditorium on Tulane's campus.

A renewed Tulane University opens its doors for the spring semester on January 17. "We have always taught history at Tulane; now we are going to make it," says Tulane President Scott Cowen.

February 2006

Tulane University Hospital and Clinic reopens on Valentine's Day.

May 2006

Former presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton address Tulane graduates at the 2006 commencement ceremony. "The floodwater may have breached the levees that surround this city and destroyed home after home and block after block," Bush tells the graduates. "But we know they couldn't break the spirit of the people that call this remarkable and improbable city home."

Tulane partners with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to host a three-day conference entitled "Rebirth: People, Places and Culture in New Orleans." The conference features panel discussions with community leadership and is highlighted by a keynote address by First Lady Laura Bush and "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams.

July 2006

The H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College Institute opens and continues Tulane's commitment to women's education.

August 2006

The Center for Public Service begins operations, serving as a bridge between faculty and students and community organizations engaged in both urgent and long-term social challenges and opportunities.

December 2006

Tulane celebrates the long-awaited dedication of the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life, often described as the "heart of the campus."

March 2007

The Scott S. Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives opens. The center is focused on improving the New Orleans public education system.

Tulane University President Scott Cowen and New Orleans City Council Vice President Arnie Fielkow announce the creation of the Fleur de Lis Ambassadors Program. Made up of local business and community leaders, the ambassadors will travel the country to spread the word about New Orleans’ revitalization.

April 2007

The Report of the President 2007 documents the university's renewal progress to date. Photos and accompanying stories demonstrate the strength of the Tulane community in the face of adversity.

May 2007

Former vice president Al Gore brings his "An Inconvenient Truth" message to a packed house at Tulane's McAlister Auditorium.

More than 1,375 high school seniors commit to the university as the Class of 2011. The number of new freshmen is 56 percent more than the previous year's class (882), which was adversely impacted by uncertainty in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams speaks to graduates at Tulane's 2007 commencement ceremony, saying, "Not since the years of World War II has so much been asked of a graduating class as has been asked of you. ... There would not be a Tulane without New Orleans, but I am absolutely convinced that there would not be a New Orleans without Tulane."

July 2007

For the first time in its 173-year history, Tulane University's endowment has reached the $1 billion mark.

August 2007

Tulane is named one of the 25 "Hottest Schools in America" in the 2008 Kaplan/Newsweek "How to get into College" guide. Tulane was recognized as the university that was "Hottest on the Rebound" for its recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Tulane also was named a "Hottest School" in 2002.

March 2008

President Bill Clinton hosts the inaugural session of Clinton Global Initiative University, a meeting designed to engage college students in making commitments to address global issues with innovative solutions.

May 2008

The Unified Commencement Ceremony returns to the Louisiana Superdome. James Carville and Mary Matalin address the graduates, noting the significance of the location. "It is completely and totally appropriate that this class graduate in this building," said Carville.

August 29, 2008

Tulane University closes at noon to evacuate in advance of Hurricane Gustav. The campus receives minimal damage, allowing students to return to their residence halls on September 7 and classes to resume September 8.

May 2009

Commencement 2009 honors the courageous Katrina class. “In the hours and days after the storm, I often wondered whether I would ever see you again,” Tulane President Scott Cowen confided in his address to the graduates.

July 2009

Ruth’s Hospitality Group donates the site of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse on Broad Street for the creation of the Ruth U. Fertel/Tulane Community Health Center.

August 2009

A compromise between the Tulane and LSU boards establishes a governing board for a public hospital that will be the flagship for teaching Tulane and LSU medical residents as well as providing health care to the community.

October 2009

Tulane launches the Office of Social Entrepreneurship Initiatives to foster development of creative solutions to pressing social challenges.

January 2010

44,000 high school seniors apply for admission, shattering the previous record. By the end of April, more than 1,600 admitted students will have sent in their deposits.

April 2010

A new study shows that Tulane University is New Orleans’ largest private employer and a major economic driver in the region, accounting for approximately $920 million in annual economic activity, and directly and indirectly creating 10,600 jobs throughout Louisiana.