Dear Tulane Community,
The grades have been submitted, the diplomas have been signed, the gowns have been unpacked, the parents have arrived, the caterers are here, the stage is set. Commencement Weekend begins with Wave Goodbye this evening and continues tomorrow at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where candidates for degrees will become graduates of Tulane and second line their way into a bright future.
ABC News, NBC News, Reuters, NPR, The Hullabaloo and our local media are all providing coverage for this one-of-a-kind academic celebration. Faculty, staff and students from all Tulane schools and departments will be in attendance, as will many alumni, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, friends and fans. The ceremony will also be streamed live online.
I am putting the finishing touches on my Commencement address. Preceding a speaker like Helen Mirren, who has won an Oscar, a Tony, an Emmy and an Olivier, could make a Mike a little nervous. But I have so many great memories and great things to say about the Class of 2017 that I am not concerned.
It is going to be a great weekend. Let Commencement commence!