Dear Tulane Community:
Wave Weekend is officially underway! Alumni, family and friends are arriving from all over the world to celebrate the Tulane spirit, reconnect with fellow Tulanians, and explore the latest and greatest developments here at the university.
Tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. in McAlister Auditorium, I’ll be hosting a Presidential Speaker Series panel event with three notable Tulanians: Gabe Feldman, the internationally renowned sports law expert and Tulane Law School professor; Ashley Langford (’09), who kicks off her first season as head coach of the Green Wave Women’s Basketball team this weekend; and Peter Ricchiuti, the legendary A.B. Freeman School of Business professor and Burkenroad Reports founder. I’m looking forward to a fascinating discussion about the sea changes that are reshaping collegiate athletics, from the new NIL (name, image, likeness) laws to the transfer portal and conference realignments.
In addition to this deep-dive discussion into athletics at Tulane and beyond, you’ll have several opportunities to cheer on the Green Wave over the weekend. The women’s basketball team plays their season opener vs. Nicholls State tonight; men’s basketball takes on the University of Louisiana- Monroe tomorrow; our football team looks to extend their six-game winning streak when they face Temple in the homecoming game on Saturday; and women’s volleyball competes against Wichita State University on Sunday.
Of course, athletics are just one facet of the Wave Weekend experience. Music lovers will delight in concerts including the Tipping Point, a star-studded annual tradition that raises scholarship funds to ensure every qualified student can access a Tulane education. Alumni can pretend they’re students again at lectures, discussions, and open houses, and catch up with old friends at reunion gatherings around the city.
Our students kicked off Homecoming Week on Monday with the traditional Lighting of McAlister and announcement of the Homecoming Court. The memories our students make this week will be fodder for joyful reminiscences in years to come when they return for Wave Weekend as alumni. After crowning this year’s Homecoming Royalty at the football game on Saturday, we’ll continue to celebrate all of our stellar scholars during next week’s Student Appreciation Week, featuring special events and moments of joy for students uptown, downtown, and online.
I can’t wait to see you out and about as we celebrate the unique Tulane community. When I do, I hope you’ll greet me with my favorite phrase:
ROLL WAVE!
