April 24, 2026
Dear Tulane Community,
Classes are winding down, and excitement is building for Commencement 2026, to be held on Saturday, May 16 at the Caesars Superdome. As we celebrate this year’s graduates and honorary degree recipients, it is a true pleasure to recognize the faculty whose dedication to teaching and mentoring helps their students and colleagues thrive. Today I am proud to announce this year’s university-wide teaching and mentoring award recipients.
The Suzanne and Stephen Weiss Presidential Fellows Award recognizes faculty for excellence in undergraduate teaching, student advising and instructional improvement and development. This year’s Weiss awardees are Kate Adams and Katie Russell.
Kate Adams is an associate professor and the inaugural Martha McCarty Kimmerling Chair in Women’s Literature in the Department of English in the School of Liberal Arts. She is recognized for encouraging students to think critically and across disciplines as they explore intellectual questions, instilling a sense of purpose and connecting the study of literature to the broader human experience. Students described her as an anchor whose “unwavering commitment” provided invaluable support while challenging them to achieve their goals. One former student put it simply: “If you are looking for ‘The Teacher Who Changed My Life,’ Kate Adams fits that description without question.”
Katie Russell, senior professor of practice in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the School of Science and Engineering, is celebrated for fostering a community of collaborative learners, helping students develop valuable professional skills along with technical expertise. Students and colleagues alike described her as an “outstanding teacher and mentor” whose innovative implementation of service learning “has become a model for integration of teaching and research in engineering education.” A two-time Tulane alumna, her open-door policy has also “shaped departmental culture” and affords students “the tools necessary to pursue competitive opportunities.”
The Tulane President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Teaching is given annually to two faculty members who have a sustained and compelling record of excellence in teaching and learning and an ongoing commitment to educational excellence. This year’s recipients are Brooke Grant and Dr. Ross Klingsberg.
Brooke Grant, senior professor of practice in Education Programs in the School of Professional Advancement, is recognized for cultivating welcoming learning environments grounded in high standards, clear expectations, and consistent feedback. She is described as a “beloved professor” who teaches students “to apply theoretical foundations to authentic educational settings, enhancing both their academic learning and their readiness for professional practice.” One student wrote: “When learning from Dr. Grant, I feel capable of doing things beyond my current capabilities… and I feel cared for. That’s the kind of teacher I want to be.”
Dr. Ross Klingsberg, associate professor in the School of Medicine and director of the Tulane Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Center, is honored for connecting challenging content to meaning and for investing deeply in mentorship outside of the classroom. His teaching is described as both individualized and exceptionally supportive, going above and beyond to meet students where they are and support their holistic development. A leading pulmonary and critical care specialist, Dr. Klingsberg completed his bachelor’s degree, MD, residency and a fellowship here at Tulane. This makes it especially fitting that one student wrote: “Dr. Klingsberg embodies the spirit of Tulane, encouraging students to stay curious and become excellent, thoughtful, well-rounded clinicians.”
Finally, Tulane recognizes the vital work of faculty mentorship through the Oliver Fund Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring, which is awarded biannually.
The 2026 Oliver Fund Award recipient is Adam Feibelman, the Sumter Davis Marks Professor of Law in the Tulane Law School and director of the Murphy Institute Center on Law and the Economy. Dean Marcilynn Burke cited his “extraordinary commitment to mentoring his colleagues,” noting that “his generosity with his time, insight, and institutional wisdom has strengthened not only individual fellows and professors, but our entire academic community.” Recommendations also cite his national impact as a mentor to visiting faculty and fellows, pointing out that his mentees’ success “raises the school’s scholarly profile and attracts emerging talent,” paying “continuing dividends to the university.”
Please join me in congratulating these outstanding educators and mentors, and in thanking all Tulane faculty for the excellence, care, and purpose they bring to teaching and learning. Every day, their steadfast dedication advances our mission and grows our positive impact on the world.
