Dear Tulane Community:
On Memorial Day, we pause as a community and a nation to honor those who have died while serving their country in the U.S. armed forces. We cherish the memory of all those who have given their lives for our freedom, and we welcome this annual opportunity to reflect on their valor.
As I noted in my address at last week’s ROTC Joint Commissioning Ceremony, military service and sacrifice are deeply rooted at Tulane. Since 1938, over 2,000 officers have been commissioned through our Air Force, Army, and Navy ROTC programs. We are pleased to host cadets from schools across the New Orleans area in addition to our Tulane ROTC students. This year’s commissioning class included graduates from Tulane, Loyola, Xavier University, and the University of New Orleans.
Our 2024 Commencement student speaker, Tamunoboma Dominion Fenny, was drawn to Tulane’s law school for the same reason she joined ROTC as an undergraduate: her passion for service. Throughout her time at Tulane, Dominion applied her knowledge and skills to serve the community in a variety of roles, embodying our motto of “not for one’s self, but for one’s own.” A second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, she will begin her full-time career in the military after taking the bar exam.
As we reflect on the lives of the fallen, we can take heart and inspiration from this new generation of officers who are assuming leadership positions. I know they will defend our country and values with integrity, intelligence, and compassion— carrying on the legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
