Par Excellence

Dear Tulane Community:

They're considered the Oscars of Tulane, or maybe Tulane's version of the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes -- or maybe a little bit of both.

Each year, up to 10 Tulane staff members are selected by a committee of their peers to receive a Staff Excellence Award. Winners are selected for increasing productivity, cutting costs, enhancing efficiency or attaining the highest level of service, loyalty and trustworthiness.

The sweepstakes comparison is apt because I get to go door to door surprising winners with a cash prize of $1,000 and an invitation to dine with me and Renée at No. 2 Audubon. The Oscar comparison is apt because the Staff Excellence Award is an honor bestowed by one's own colleagues.

And this year's winners are...

Well, you will just have to wait. Maybe I will be knocking on your office door this morning!

Besides being one of the best Tulane traditions I have encountered, the Staff Excellence Awards are also a great way for a new president to say "thank you" to some longtime and dedicated Tulanians.