A big experience in the Big Easy

Students in the Big Easy Politics course at Tulane University had a big experience in the Big Easy — getting to meet former U.S. President Bill Clinton backstage when they attended the city of New Orleans public commemoration of Hurricane Katrina"s 10th anniversary on Saturday (Aug. 29).

Tulane faculty members James Carville and Mike Sherman took the students to the event, which celebrated the city"s resilience after Hurricane Katrina. The students were ushered backstage before the event began to meet the former president. Political science faculty members Brian Brox and Chris Fettweis also attended.

The students enjoyed a lively discussion that was spurred by Carville commenting on Brox"s research. The group crowded closely around the former president to have an in-depth discussion on the effect of early voting.

“It"s a huge plus when our students can learn about politics and theory in the classroom, then get to meet the President of the United States and discuss policy with him in person,” said Carville, a professor of practice. “Tulane is not just a university located in New Orleans, but a university that is part of New Orleans, and this event gave the students the golden opportunity to meet President Clinton and take part in a citywide commemoration of Hurricane Katrina.”

Student Sam Homra, a senior majoring in cell and molecular biology, called the experience “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will never forget. The event itself was an amazing tribute to the resiliency of the people of New Orleans and those who came to her aid.”

Sherman, a Tulane alumnus and adjunct professor of political science, said, “For years, our Big Easy Politics students have watched videos of the 2006 Tulane commencement addresses by Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton; many also participated in the Clinton Global Initiative–University meeting at Tulane ... (this) capped a decade-long relationship between Tulane and the president.”