Dear Tulane Community:
I am still replaying all of the highlights from last week's commencement in my mind. I will never forget the look of joy on the faces of our graduates as they moved their tassels from the right to the left and, in doing so, moved into a new and wonderful phase of their lives. I truly felt a parent's pride at that moment.
Then there was the music – the clarion call of herald trumpets, the Highland summons of bagpipes, the magic of Dr. Michael White's Original Liberty Jazz Band, the soul of Topsy Chapman and the perfect harmony of Green Envy.
Our keynote speaker, Maya Rudolph, lit up the Internet from Twitter to Time.com, which joined CNN, USA Today and a host of other media in declaring her commencement speech one of the nation's best. It was a delight to host Maya, her husband and four small children, who I am hoping might follow in the footsteps of their grandfather Richard and cousin Sabrina and attend Tulane. We'll have to wait another decade or so for that, however.
With Commencement 2015 over and the academic year officially ended, I will give my weekly View from Gibson a little summer break. Its author, however, will stay plenty busy with summer school already underway and a full travel schedule ahead.
But before I sign off, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for helping make my first year at Tulane University such a success, as well as your support as we confronted the tragedies and challenges of this year. This is truly a special university and city. And you are truly remarkable students, faculty and staff.
