Dear Tulane Community:
Commencement weekend is officially upon us.
For thousands of our students, years of hard work and sacrifice are about to come to fruition in the form of a Tulane degree. Over the next few days, the Class of 2024 will don academic regalia and participate in time-honored rituals to commemorate the knowledge, skills, and understanding that they have gained during their time at Tulane. A flurry of award ceremonies, inductions, diploma and hooding ceremonies will culminate in the main event: the Unified Commencement Ceremony, to be held on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. in Yulman Stadium.
This is a time of reflection and celebration not just for the Class of 2024, but for the entire Tulane community. Few moments are more rewarding for faculty and staff than watching the students they have taught, mentored, and supported achieve their goal of attaining a Tulane degree. Continuing students are inspired by the achievements of this year's graduates, and alumni reminisce about their own joyful graduations as they marvel at the accomplishments of this year's class.
We are honored to welcome three iconic individuals at this year's Unified ceremony: our Commencement speaker, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and commentator Jon Meacham; Dr. Victor Dzau, a visionary physician scientist and globally recognized health care leader; and Leona Tate, a legendary civil rights pioneer and educator. Each of these extraordinary individuals will be presented with an honorary doctorate. Their remarkable achievements will serve as an inspiration for our graduates as they prepare to make their own mark on the world.
Of course, the Unified ceremony will also showcase exceptional members of the Tulane University community. Four outstanding faculty members will receive our highest awards for teaching and mentoring, and JD candidate Tamunoboma Dominion Fenny will represent the Class of 2024 as our student speaker. Benjamin Longo, a BFA-BS joint degree candidate in musical theatre and public health, will perform the National Anthem. Renowned jazz musicians Dr. Michael White, a Tulane graduate and honorary degree recipient, and Yolanda Windsay, a longtime Tulane staff member, will perform a special musical tribute.
This year's ceremony promises to be especially significant for the many members of the Class of 2024 who graduated from high school at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020 and were unable to experience an in-person celebration. We are committed to providing them, and all of our graduating students, with a meaningful and memorable occasion that recognizes the unprecedented obstacles they have navigated to earn their degrees.
I look forward to celebrating all of our graduates at this year's Unified Commencement Ceremony. Congratulations to the Class of 2024, and Roll Wave!
