NEWS SPLASH

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Discussing Art

The Newcomb Art Gallery will host a panel discussion on Wednesday (Oct. 1) in conjunction with the current exhibition, “Vital Signs.”

Moderated by curator Gary Sangster, the discussion will explore drawing within the parameters of the contemporary experience. Panelists include “Vital Signs” artists Leslie Shows and Amy Rathbone and Newcomb Art Department professor Michael Plante.

The panel discussion will be held in Freeman Auditorium in the Woldenberg Art Center at 7 p.m. with a public reception in Woodward Way to follow.

Plante says, “This sort of panel brings together individuals — artists, critics, curators and the audience — to interact in a public discussion of the issues related to contemporary art: its production, its interpretation and its audience. It is really an opportunity to see contemporary art in action in the public sphere.”

Admission is free of charge, and the event is open to the public. For more information, e-mail Teresa Parker Farris  or call 504-314-2406.

Tobacco Scientist Talks

Victor DeNoble, a former Philip Morris research scientist and a key witness in the federal government’s case against the tobacco industry, will speak at Tulane on Wednesday (Oct. 1).

The presentation, called “The Man Who Knew Too Much About Big Tobacco,” will take place at 10 a.m. in the Kendall Cram Lecture Hall of the Lavin-Bernick Center.

DeNoble, who perfected the research on nicotine’s effect on the brain, will discuss his journey from scientist to whistle-blower. An internationally known speaker, he will share information about addiction and the brain as well as his own story in an effort to expose the truth about nicotine and Big Tobacco.

The lecture is sponsored by the Louisiana Tobacco-Free Living College Initiative Grant. For additional information, e-mail Amy Rose or call 504-865-5255, extension 239.

 

Monday, September 29, 2008

Jewish Holiday Plans

The Jewish high holidays begin today (Sept. 29) and two organizations are sponsoring dinners and services for Tulane students.

New Orleans Hillel at Tulane University and Chabad at Tulane both have a full schedule of events in celebration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Hillel’s Rosh Hashanah dinner, which costs $25, will be held at 6 p.m. today at the Lavin-Bernick Center Ballroom. Conservative and Reform services will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Both Conservative and Reform services are planned on Tuesday (Sept. 30) at 10 a.m. at the LBC, followed by a luncheon. On Wednesday, Conservative services will be held at 10 a.m. at Hillel, 912 Broadway, with a luncheon afterward.

Hillel is planning a special Yom Kippur dinner on Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. in the 1834 Club at the LBC. Services will follow at 6:30 p.m. Observances continue on Oct. 9 with services at 10 a.m. and “break the fast” at 7:19 p.m. at the 1834 Club. For additional information, e-mail Hanan Nayberg.

A high holidays kosher meal plan is offered through Tulane dining services.

Chabad at Tulane will have Rosh Hashanah services on Monday at 7 p.m. and dinner at 8 p.m. at the Chabad House, 7033 Freret St. A full schedule of services, meals and sounding of the shofar is planned on Tuesday (Sept. 30) and Wednesday (Oct. 1).

Muslim ‘Fast-a-thon’

A "Fast-a-thon" will be held today (Sept. 29) by Muslim students to raise money for a nonprofit organization that provides clean water to communities around the world.

The Muslim Student Associations of Tulane, Loyola and other New Orleans' universities are sponsoring the annual charity drive. New Orleans companies will donate money for each student who pledges to fast from sunrise to sunset on Monday.

The event culminates tonight with a dinner donated by restaurants and families, to be held in the St. Charles Room of the Danna Student Center at Loyola’s main campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Water,” and money will be raised for the nonprofit organization Charity:Water.

Ateka Gunja, a Tulane medical student and president of the Tulane Medical Muslim Student Association, said, “We will also be donating money to local New Orleans charities, including the Fleur de Vie Clinic, run by Tulane University School of Medicine. Over 400 undergraduate and graduate students are expected to attend, and we are hoping to top last year’s donation of $12,000.”

Friday, September 26, 2008

‘Music for Matt’

A charity music festival on Oct. 4 during Tulane homecoming weekend festivities will raise funds in honor of Matt Costa, a Tulane graduate who died while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa.

The “Music for Matt” benefit will be held at the Howlin’ Wolf, 907 S. Peters St. in New Orleans. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and the music continues from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Featured bands are the Rebirth Brass Band, Rogue Heroes with Kevin McDevitt and Frogs Gone Fishin’.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Peace Corps Partnership Program Mali and the Costa Memorial Scholarship, to be awarded annually to a Tulane student who embodies Costa’s spirit of service, education, art and adventure.

A 2003 Tulane graduate, Costa died two years ago in a boating accident during his third year of service in Africa. During his time in Chad and Mali, he worked to improve farming techniques and water systems, taught English, hosted a radio show featuring American music and organized a village soccer league.

“This get-together is to celebrate Matt’s life — a life way too short but very long on compassion, adventure, giving and on getting the most from every single day,” Costa’s mother, Pamela Cameron, wrote in a message on the festival website. “But Matt’s most important legacy is the number of people he touched. Our hope is that we will attract a large crowd and make lots of money for the scholarship and for Peace Corps Mali.”

Program for Athletes

Student-athletes and coaches from Tulane and other New Orleans universities will gather on the uptown campus on Sunday (Sept. 28) for a presentation entitled “Champions Aren’t Made in Gyms.”

The program, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday in McAlister Auditorium, is being presented on behalf of the Muhammad Ali Center, the Tulane athletics department and the Tulane Sports Law Program.

Richard Lapchick, human rights activist, scholar, author and lecturer on sports issues, will be guest speaker for the center’s program, which uses speakers of note in the education and athletics communities to motivate student-athletes to think beyond their current situations and inspire them to be champions in every aspect of their lives.

Tulane has invited student-athletes and coaches from Loyola, Xavier and Dillard universities to attend, as well as those from the University of New Orleans.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Debate Watching

The political science department is hosting debate-watching parties for the presidential election starting on Friday (Sept. 26) in the lobby of Josephine Louise Hall.

Friday’s party, for the first presidential debate, is at 8 p.m. Other debate-watching nights are scheduled on Oct. 2 for the vice presidential debate, on Oct. 7 for the second presidential debate and on Oct. 15 for the third presidential debate.

An election night watch party also is planned on Nov. 4. All events begin at 8 p.m. in the lobby of Josephine Louise Hall. Admission is free of charge.

Volleyball Returns Home

The Tulane women’s volleyball team returns to Fogelman Arena on Friday (Sept. 26) for its first Conference USA match.

The Green Wave, now 8-4, have won six straight matches. Dating back to last season, the team has won 16 home matches in a row and hopes to tie the school record for most consecutive home wins on Friday against the University of Houston at 7 p.m. in Fogelman Arena.

On its recent road trip, Tulane went 3-0 including a defeat on Sunday (Sept. 21), of No. 14–ranked Middle Tennessee State University. Two Wave players garnered C-USA honors — senior hitter Bridget Wells was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week while junior libero Jenn Miller earned Defensive Player of the Week.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Flu Shot Reminder

Flu season is coming up, so don’t forget to take advantage of the Student Health Center’s flu shot program. Shots will be offered today (Sept. 24), Oct. 16 and Nov. 11 at the Lavin-Bernick Center.

The health center will administer shots from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the LBC’s Pedersen Lobby, near the bookstore. The cost of the vaccine is $20 and “everyone is welcome,” says Ron Peterson, senior administrator at the health center.

SMU Game on Thursday

Tulane athletics will host “Bring Your ‘A’ Game” — Celebrating Education in New Orleans” on Thursday (Sept. 25) at the Louisiana Superdome when the Green Wave football team battles Southern Methodist University.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live to a national audience on CBS College Sports.

Recovery School District students in New Orleans will attend the game free of charge. Tulane athletics is providing free transportation, a tour of the Superdome, pre-game interactive events with Green Wave student-athletes, dinner, game tickets and a chance to come onto the field for the introduction of the Tulane football team for up to 1,500 students who have been selected by their schools for outstanding performance. In addition, school district bands will perform with the Tulane Marching Band at halftime.

Other area school children from charter, public, private and parochial schools will be admitted free if they bring any assignment with an ‘A’ grade. In addition, organizations that work to enhance the school system have been invited and will be honored during halftime.

For more information regarding this initiative, e-mail Tulane athletics or call 504-314-7215.

For this special event, all single-game tickets have been reduced to $20 for sideline seats and $10 for the end zone for the general public. For tickets, call 861-WAVE (9283).

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
 

Mortar Board Award

The Alpha Sigma Sigma chapter of Mortar Board at Tulane was among the outstanding chapters honored for excellence at the 2008 Mortar Board National Conference.

The Tulane organization was one of 59 outstanding chapters to receive the Silver Torch Award, presented to chapters executing timeliness and dedication while exemplifying the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. Recipients are selected based on a review of national records, requiring that the chapter meet all of the national minimum standards and deadlines.

In addition, the chapter was among 23 groups to receive a Project Excellence Award. It was cited for its exemplary event, the Leadership Conference for Girls.

One of the chapter’s advisers also was honored with the prominent Excellence in Advising Award from Mortar Board. Adviser Charlotte Maheu was one of just three outstanding advisers selected to receive the distinction for providing exceptional support to help the chapter achieve goals, serving as a role model and demonstrating constant leadership, professionalism and spirit of service.  

Katie Haines, president of the Tulane chapter, was present to accept the chapter’s awards at the meeting, held July 25–27 in Columbus, Ohio.

Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service.

Book Signing

Tulane alumnus Dr. Donald J. Palmisano will sign and discuss his new book, On Leadership: Essential Principles for Success on Wednesday (Sept. 24) at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Metairie, La.

The book signing and discussion will be held at 3721 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie.

Palmisano graduated from the Tulane College of Arts and Sciences in 1960 and from the Tulane School of Medicine in 1963. A frequent keynote speaker and a former president of the American Medical Association, he serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Patient Safety and the board of governors of the National Patient Safety Foundation.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Storm Support

Tulane alumni throughout the Gulf Coast are networking via e-mail to provide support to each other after Hurricane Ike.

Alumni who are trading information and offering assistance to Tulane graduates who are storm victims include those in the Houston area as well as the Acadiana, North Shore, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles areas of Louisiana.

Charlotte Travieso, director of alumni affairs, sent out a message to members of those alumni chapters who were hit hard by Ike and Gustav, saying, “The Tulane Alumni Association wants you to know that we have been thinking about you very much over this hurricane ordeal and hoping that you and your loved ones fared as well as you possibly could. For those of you who have power or access to laptops and who receive this message, please do not hesitate to respond to me with your needs or any questions you may have.”

Thirty-five alumni have written back so far, offering words of encouragement to each other, listing news about Houston-area gas stations and grocery stores that are open, asking for names of storm-repair contractors and offering rooms in their homes for alumni who might need them.

One Houston alumna wrote, “How wonderful to know that Tulane/Newcomb friends are truly forever. We are very settled with family for now and until we repair and rebuild.”

Art Project Details

Prospect.1 New Orleans, a major contemporary art project, is coming to the city this fall. The show’s curator will give an overview of the plans on Tuesday (Sept. 23) in Freeman Auditorium.

Dan Cameron, curator for Prospect.1, will speak at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Woldenberg Art Center in a talk hosted by the Newcomb Art Gallery. He will discuss the project, which is the largest biennial of international contemporary art ever organized in the United States. It will begin in New Orleans starting on November 1.

He will explain what Prospect.1 is, why it’s being organized, who the artists are, what they’re making, what it means for New Orleans and ways for the Tulane community to get involved.

A reception will follow the presentation. For more information, e-mail Teresa Parker Farris or call 504-314-2406.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Lecture on Middle East

Middle East historian Bernard Lewis will give a lecture on Monday (Sept. 22) at 7:30 p.m. in the Kendall Cram Lecture Hall.

The Jewish Studies Program of Tulane is hosting the event in the Lavin-Bernick Center. “Iran, Israel and America” will be the topic for Lewis, a prominent author, scholar and international lecturer.

Lewis served as professor of history of the Near and Middle East at the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London from 1949 until 1974, when he was appointed to the Cleveland E. Dodge Chair of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University.

His most recent book, Political Words and Ideas in Islam, was published this year.

He is the author of numerous books on the Middle East, and his works have been translated into more than 25 languages.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans.

Learn Bookmaking

A Studio in the Woods is presenting a one-day workshop on “Improvisational Bookmaking” on Sept. 27.

Visual artist Angela Driscoll will lead the session at the studio, 13401 River Road in lower coast Algiers, La. Lunch and supplies are included in the $100 fee for the workshop, scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Participants need to download an application or call 504-392-5359.

A Studio in the Woods, located on eight acres of bottomland hardwood forest on the West Bank of Orleans Parish, was donated to Tulane University in 2004 to ensure its longtime purpose as an artists’ retreat and field study center for students of all ages to learn about the preservation of the endangered Louisiana natural environment.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Holliday Featured

Trenton Holliday, associate professor of anthropology, will be featured in a National Geographic Channel program airing on Sunday (Sept. 21).

The program, called “The Neanderthal Code,” will air at 8 p.m. central time. Holliday says the story “profiles those researchers like me who think that the Neanderthals made at least some genetic contribution to modern humanity.”

He is a paleoanthropologist/human paleontologist who specializes in Late Pleistocene human evolution.

Green Dorm News

Planet Green, the Discovery Channel’s new 24-hour ecology-focused television channel, includes Tulane in its “How to Go Green Guide on Dorm Rooms.”

The article on Planet Green’s website includes information about energy savings that Tulane realized through its Energy Star Showcase Dorm room.

A Tulane residence hall room with only Energy Star–labeled electronics used half the electricity of a room with average appliances and lighting, translating into 50 percent less greenhouse pollution.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Ralph Nader Campaigns

Third-party presidential candidate Ralph Nader will speak on the Tulane campus today (Sept. 17) at 3 p.m.

Nader plans to give a campaign speech in the Freeman Auditorium of the Woldenberg Art Center in an attempt to mobilize student voters on his behalf, an official with his campaign said.

This year marks the fifth time that Nader is running on a third-party ticket and a progressive platform.

One-Man Show

Jim Fitzmorris, assistant professor of theater at Tulane, has written and is performing a new, one-person show on Thursday and Friday (Sept. 18–19) in New Orleans.

Called Jim Fitzmorris Puts Marlin Gusman in a Hurt Locker, the monologue provides acerbic wit on issues and persons from the Orleans Parish criminal sheriff to the English language itself. A native of New Orleans, Fitzmorris provides an original take on the city and Louisiana.

Fitzmorris performs the monologue at the Voodoo Mystere Lounge, 718 N. Rampart St. in downtown New Orleans. The show also runs Sept. 25–26.

Fitzmorris, who teaches playwriting, acting and theater history, is associate artistic director of the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane.

Other plays by Fitzmorris include Something Akin to a Restoration, which was produced in conjunction with the Fourth Unity Festival in New York and received a favorable review from the New York Times; With Malice Towards All, an American College Theater Festival regional finalist; The Last Madam; The House of Plunder, which won a Big Easy Award for best original play; The Beignet Plays; The Visitation; What, Has This Thing Appeared Again Tonight?; and Yuletide.

Conference Volleyball Honor

Tulane volleyball standout Visnja Djurdjevic was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday (Sept.15).

The freshman outside hitter from Zitiste, Serbia, helped lead the Green Wave to a three-match sweep of the tournament, which ended with a 3-0 victory over the University of Maryland on Saturday (Sept. 13) at Fogelman Arena. Tulane is now 5-4 on the year and has a 16-game home winning streak.

Djurdjevic earned the C-USA weekly honor after averaging 3.40 kills and 3.10 digs during the tournament. For the week, Djurdjevic led the Green Wave with 34 kills while hitting .326 with just six errors in 86 swings. She also finished third on the team with 31 digs and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Magazine Honors Sachs

New Orleans Magazine, which annually chooses “People to Watch” in the community, has included Dr. Benjamin P. Sachs, senior vice president and dean of the Tulane University School of Medicine, on its latest list.

The September 2008 issue of the magazine includes Sachs’ profile as one of the “new faces who are doing something interesting with their lives that’s worthy of our awareness.”

Sachs came to Tulane in November 2007 from Harvard Medical School. “At first, coming from the Northeast and having a British accent, I wondered whether people were going to accept me,” Sachs says in the article. “To my wonderful surprise, I have not only been welcomed at every level of this community, I have been welcomed with open arms. I am so grateful for that and honored by this opportunity.”

The article continues, “Like many, he recognizes the unique situation of New Orleans’ medical community. Though the city was badly damaged by the storm, Sachs and others like him see a great potential to rebuild its hospitals and keep moving forward. One way he wants to begin this process is by starting neighborhood health centers that can help provide health care to those who are uninsured and have no access to it.”

Register for Outreach Day

Registration has reopened for the Outreach Tulane service day, which will take place on Saturday (Sept. 20).

The 18th annual community volunteer event was postponed from its original Aug. 39 date due to Hurricane Gustav. Volunteers who previously signed up will need to reregister now.

Students as well as faculty and staff and their families are invited to participate in the event, which is hosted by the Community Action Council of Tulane University Students (CACTUS), the Office of Student Programs, and the Center for Public Service.

Other sponsors include the Tulane Alumni Association, Stone Center for Latin American Studies, Murphy Institute, Newcomb College Institute, Olive Blue, Papa John’s, Roly Poly, Whole Foods Market, Coca-Cola and Stillwater Screenprinting.

“By working together to provide needed assistance, we strengthen the Tulane community while instilling a deeper connection to our community and fostering lifelong commitments to service,” organizers of the event said.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Among Best in Entrepreneurship

For the third straight year, Entrepreneur magazine and the Princeton Review have named A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University one of the nation’s top business schools for entrepreneurs. The Freeman School is ranked 17th on this year’s list of the Top 25 Graduate Programs for entrepreneurs.

“This ranking reflects our commitment to providing students with the practical skills, real-world experience and inspiration to fulfill their aspirations to start and build companies that make the world a better place,” said John Elstrott, clinical professor of business and director of the Freeman School’s Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship. “In that last 17 years, more than 75 successful new businesses have been launched by graduates of our entrepreneurship program, each one creating jobs and wealth in its community.”

The school offers a wide range of courses aimed at entrepreneurs and also sponsors the annual Tulane Business Plan Competition, which awards cash prizes to promising new businesses. Recent ventures launched through the competition include Rethos.com, a social networking site devoted to socially responsible individuals and businesses; INExchange, a fair-trade boutique selling arts and crafts from around the world; and NOLA 180, an educational nonprofit that helped create the Langston Hughes Academy Charter School in New Orleans.

Entrepreneur and the Princeton Review surveyed more than 2,300 entrepreneurship programs to come up with this year’s Top 25 graduate and undergraduate rankings. Schools were evaluated based on key criteria in the areas of academics and requirements, students and faculty, and outside-the-classroom experiences.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Russian Heritage Book

Volume nine in the Kennan Institute’s “Discovering Russia” series, with text and photographs by William Brumfield, professor of Slavic studies at Tulane, has been published.

Solovki: Architectural Heritage in Photographs, produced in Moscow by Tri Kvadrata Publishers, is devoted to the architectural and historical heritage of Great Solovetskii Island. Brumfield, a leading Western specialist on the history of Russian architecture, is an honorary fellow of two Russian national academies: the Academy of the Arts and the Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences.

The volume begins with the author’s text, in Russian and in English, on the history and architecture of the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior, with attention given to the formation of the main monastic ensemble in the 16th century. The text is accompanied by a selection of Brumfield’s color photographs of the monastery and its setting.

The negatives for these photographs, taken during Brumfield’s trips in 1998 and 1999, are preserved in the William Brumfield Collection at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Alumnus on Coaching Staff

Kim Lewis, former Green Wave basketball standout, is a new assistant coach on the staff of Dave Dickerson, head men’s basketball coach.

Lewis, 35, begins his third tour with the Green Wave in 2008–09. He was a four-year letter winner for Tulane in 1990–95, and later served an assistant coach in 1996–98. Lewis spent the last two seasons at Duquesne University under head coach Ron Everhart, a former Tulane assistant coach who recruited and coached Lewis during his playing career with the Green Wave.

"I am very excited and thankful to be working for a great person in Coach Dickerson, who I believe is one of the most respected young coaches in the country," Lewis said. "Coming back to Tulane, where it all began for me, makes it that much more special for me. I am looking forward to being a part of this great program once again."

In 1995, Lewis was drafted in the seventh round with the 92nd overall pick in the Continental Basketball Association draft by Sioux Falls. He spent 1998 through 2001 playing professionally in the Icelandic Basketball League. Lewis is a native of Angie, La.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Casino Studies on a Roll

Enrollment is up for the casino resort studies program in the Tulane School of Continuing Studies at the university’s Biloxi, Miss., campus this semester, where registration continues through Saturday (Sept. 13).

Early enrollment was nearly double that of last year, and Alan Silver, director of the program. Although Hurricane Gustav closed the school for a few days, the campus at Edgewater Mall in Biloxi has reopened.

Especially during a slower economy, education becomes more vital to those working in the casinos, says Silver. Casinos look to hire the brightest and the best educated and “top schools are in demand,” Silver says.

One especially popular course this semester deals with addictive behavior and gambling. It’s online and there is a waiting list to register, Silver says.

Many of the Tulane instructors have worked in the casino industry. Roger Kuehn, a former vice president of hotel operations at Hard Rock Casino, teaches hotel management and Thomas Clark, a floor shift manager at the Imperial Palace Casino, teaches quantitative methods and the probability of games. Jay Ravalay, who was the general manager at Boomtown New Orleans, teaches an online course in financial controls.

Other courses this semester deal with the history of gambling and human resource management. An internship for credit also is available. For more information contact Alan Silver at 228-388-5769.

Study on Depression in Rwanda

More than half of orphaned youth who head households in rural Rwanda meet criteria for depression, according to a report authored by Dr. Neil W. Boris of the Tulane School of Medicine and colleagues.

The report was published in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

The combined effects of the country’s 1994 genocide and the HIV epidemic give Rwanda one of the highest numbers of orphans in the world — an estimated 290,000 in 2005.

“Most African orphans have been absorbed into informal fostering systems,” said Boris, associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics. “Such systems, however, are increasingly overwhelmed, and many orphans either head households or live on the street.”

By interviewing orphans ages 12 to 24, the study found 76 percent of the youth agreed with the statement that the community rejects orphans, and only 26 percent strongly agreed that they had at least one friend.

“Ten years after the Rwandan genocide and in the midst of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the effects of poverty and social disruption on the most vulnerable youth in Rwanda are evident,” the study concludes.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
  

Wavefest Concerts

“Hot Summer Nights” concerts will resume this evening (Wed.) as the New Birth Brass Band takes the stage from 8 until 10 p.m. on the Gorson Porch of the Lavin-Bernick Center on the uptown campus.

The concert continues the Wavefest university-wide welcome celebration for the entire Tulane community that began on the first day of class this semester (August 27).

Additional concerts will take place on Friday (Sept. 12) from 7 until 9 p.m. with the Wild Magnolias; Wednesday (Sept. 17) from 7 until 9 p.m. with the Pinettes Brass Band; plus one more concert to be announced for Sept. 19.

The concerts are free and open to all students, faculty and staff. In case of rain, the concerts will move to the Nalty Commons in the LBC. For more information, contact Alex Miller, associate director of the Lavin-Bernick Center.

University Night at NOMA

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) reopens today (Sept. 10) and kicks off its Mid-Week in Mid-City series on Wednesday evenings with a special University Night for college students.

The program, in cooperation with the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane, features live music by multi-instrumentalist Tony Seville, a free Colombian coffee tasting and presentation, and a free screening of Favela Rising, winner of 36 international film festival awards.

The coffee tasting begins at 5 p.m. in the Great Hall of the museum in City Park, and the 80-minute Favela Rising is set for 6:15 p.m. in the Stern Auditorium. The program is free to in-state residents.

NOMA is back to its regular hours — Wednesdays from noon until 8 p.m., and Thursdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, call 504-658-4100.

Tune in, Football Fans

Acme Oyster House in Metairie, La., (located at 3000 Veterans Boulevard) begins its first season as the host site for Tulane head football coach Bob Toledo’s weekly radio show.

All shows will air on AM 690 WIST, the flagship station for Tulane football, on Wednesday nights beginning Sept. 10 from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.

“The Acme Oyster House brand is recognized statewide as a leader in the industry,” said Marc Tuttle, general manager of the Tulane-ISP Sports Network. “The Metairie location is family-friendly and easily accessible for Tulane fans in surrounding parishes to come out and listen to coach and enjoy a great dining experience. We are excited about this opportunity.”

Fans will be asked to e-mail their questions to Coach Toledo via a form on the official athletics website of Tulane Athletics.

The Green Wave opens its 2008 home slate on Saturday, Sept. 13, when Tulane hosts 14th-ranked East Carolina at the Louisiana Superdome. Season tickets remain on sale through the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office. For ticket information, visit the ticket office on the first floor of the James W. Wilson Jr. Center, phone 504-861-WAVE or go to the Athletics website.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Expo Rescheduled

Student Activities Expo is rescheduled for Monday, Sept. 15, from 4 until 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Lavin-Bernick Center.

Leaders from more than 200 student organizations will be displaying information about their groups and recruiting new members. Social, recreational, academic, political, cultural and service organizations will be represented.

“I am very anxious to get involved,” says Lara Hewett, a first-year student living in Monroe Hall — a sentiment that the Office of Student Programs hopes is widespread, despite the one-week closure of the university due to Hurricane Gustav.

Theatre Auditions

The Tulane Department of Theatre and Dance announces auditions for its 2008–09 season.  Auditions will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Lupin Theater of the Dixon Hall Annex. Callbacks will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Productions in the fall semester include:

• Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman, directed by Lorenzo Gonzalez, Oct. 14–18 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 18 and 19 at 2 p.m. in the Lupin Theater.
• The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie, directed by Antony Sandoval, Oct. 29– Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., Nov. 5–8 at 8 p.m., and Nov. 2 and 9 at 2 p.m., in the Lab Theatre.
• Betty’s Summer Vacation by Christopher Durang, directed by Ron Gural, Nov. 18–22 at 8 p.m., and Nov. 22 and 23 at 2 p.m., in the Lupin Theater.

Students are strongly encouraged to prepare pieces no longer than three minutes for their auditions.

For more information, contact Elsa Dimitriadis or call 504-314-7760.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Love Letter from an Alum

Andrew Kizlinski, a Tulane alumnus living in New England, sent this message to Charlotte Travieso, director of the Tulane Office of Alumni Affairs and executive director of the Tulane Alumni Association:

Although it’s been seven years since I left Tulane, I still eat red beans and rice on Mondays; I look forward to coming back soon, and my heart has gone out to you all in everything that has gone on in recent years … if I were to put together a care package from New Orleans, here’s what I’d put inside: 

• Laughter at a crawfish boil overlooking the mighty Mississippi River
• The midnight tune of the saxophone player who lived next door
• The heaviness of an August evening
• The majesty of the live oak and its reaching limbs
• The pop and smell of the streetcar uptown
• A sunny morning jog around Audubon Park in a low, cool fog
• The rhythm of the cicadas in the evening
• The quiet serenity of a French Quarter courtyard water fountain
• A catfish poboy at Felix’s
• An early evening walk through the Garden District and the many smells of what’s for dinner
• The power of the Baptist choir practicing early on Saturday morning
• The heat on your shoulders during Jazz Fest
• Handing a long string of pearls you just caught to the waist high kid tugging at your pant leg at a Mardi Gras parade
• A night dancing zydeco at Rock ’n Bowl
• The sunshine just after a heavy rain
• The quiet pace of a stroll down Magazine Street on Saturday
• The wall of heat that welcomes you to New Orleans as you step out of the baggage claim in August
• The sweetness from a  fresh stalk of sugar cane
• A frisbee throw to your dog on the levee
• A bowl of turtle soup at Mother’s
• And finally the coolness of Royal Street early on a Sunday morning 

I’d agree it does get in your blood and stays there.

Andrew

Friday, September 5, 2008

Action at the Net

The Tulane women's volleyball team, on a West Coast road trip, takes to the court at noon today (Sept. 5) to play California Polytechnic State University in the first of a doubleheader at the Paso Robles Marriott Invitational in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

With one win and two losses on the season, the Green Wave also plays at 7 p.m. today against Northeastern University, and will continue tournament competition at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 6) vs the University of Nebraska. All game times listed are central time.

The team returns home to play Jacksonville State University on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in  Fogelman arena during the Allstate Sugar Bowl tournament.

Wave in Tuscaloosa

Green Wave football kicks off its season on Saturday (Sept. 6) in a tough arena — Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., home of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.

Kickoff is at 6 p.m. central time against the No. 24-ranked Crimson Tide, coached by Nick Saban. Saturday's game marks the sixth time in school history that the Green Wave, led by head coach Bob Toledo, has opened the season against the Crimson Tide. It will be the 41st meeting between the two schools.

Tulane opens at home against East Carolina University on Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Louisiana Superdome.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Information Systems Up

Information systems are up and running on the Tulane website, including TOUR, accounts receivable, class schedules and Blackboard.

Accounts receivable, TOUR and class information resumed operations on the website on Wednesday (Sept. 3), while Blackboard continued to remain online, said Paul Barron, chief information officer.

Vandy Invitation

In a nice touch of Southern hospitality, Vanderbilt University has a special football invitation for Tulane students who evacuated to Nashville when Hurricane Gustav threatened New Orleans.

Vanderbilt is inviting the Tulane students to attend the Vanderbilt football game against the University of South Carolina on Thursday night (Sept. 4). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Dudley Field in Nashville.

Mark Bandas, associate provost and dean of students at Vanderbilt, issued the invitation through Michael Bernstein, Tulane provost, who is among the Tulane administrators working in Tulane's Nashville headquarters.

Bandas wrote to Bernstein, "A number of our students have hosted Tulane students evacuated from New Orleans during the hurricane. We've made arrangements with the Athletics department and Vanderbilt Student Government to provide Tulane students with free access to the football game against USC on Thursday night."

Students with a Tulane ID will gain admission by entering through the student gate and sitting in the Vanderbilt student area.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Wave, Tide to Clash

After evacuating to Birmingham, Ala., to avoid Hurricane Gustav, the Tulane football team travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to open its 2008 season against the University of Alabama on Saturday (Sept. 6).

Kickoff is at 6 p.m. central time against the No. 24-ranked Crimson Tide, coached by Nick Saban, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Wave, starting its 114th football season, is making its first appearance in Tuscaloosa since 1991, but is battling a Southeastern Conference opponent for the fifth-straight season. Tulane is looking to post its first win in a season opener since 2002.  The game is sold out.

Saturday’s game marks the sixth time in school history that the Green Wave has opened the season against the Crimson Tide and the 41st meeting between the two schools. Tulane and Alabama last met 14 years ago during the 1994 season at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.  The Tide topped the Wave that day, 20-10.  

Under second-year head coach Bob Toledo, Tulane opens at home against East Carolina University on Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Louisiana Superdome.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Q and A on Live Chat

Nearly 1,800 people listened in on the Live Chat with President Scott Cowen on Monday (Sept. 1) as he answered questions from parents, students and employees on the Tulane website.

Cowen began the Live Chat by saying, "As we continue to monitor Hurricane Gustav, I am grateful for this opportunity to address any questions you might have. All of our campuses have been safely evacuated and our university leadership has convened in Nashville. All of you are constantly on our minds as we move forward in the spirit of Tulane."

Cowen answered queries on such topics as the reopening of the campus, the status of campus facilities, the due date for tuition payments and the latest on the hurricane.

The next Live Chat will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 2); participants can log in to submit questions or read responses.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Wave Teams Evacuate

With Hurricane Gustav forcing Tulane to evacuate its students, Green Wave athletics teams have followed suit. The football team is in Birmingham, Ala., while the women’s golf, tennis and cross country teams are in Jackson, Miss., at Jackson State University.

Meanwhile, the Wave women’s volleyball team spent the weekend in Utah playing in a season-opening tournament, in which the team won one game and lost two.

Members of the football team are in Birmingham to practice and await Saturday’s (Sept. 6) contest against the University of Alabama to start off the fall season.

The Green Wave football team reported to the James W. Wilson Jr., Center early Saturday morning for breakfast and a weightlifting session.  The Wave then received a surprise visit from Tulane President Scott Cowen and his staff. Players boarded three chartered buses and headed to Birmingham, where they will practice today at Seibert Stadium on the campus of Samford University.

In addition to Seibert Stadium, the team will also use Samford's weight-training facilities, film rooms, locker rooms and other facilities.
 
The TU athletic teams that traveled to Jackson joined other students who evacuated from campus. Jackson State University opened the campus dining rooms and gymnasium, and provided shuttles to local shopping venues and movie theatres for the new short-term residents.
 
“I am very proud of my team and very thankful for the employees at Jackson State University,” said head women’s golf coach John Thomas Horton.  “Our student-athletes are making the most of this experience, and I believe this will be a great bonding opportunity for such a young group.”
 
The golf team will break out its clubs on Sunday and practice at Colonial Country Club at the Deerfield Facility.