Cause for celebration

It"s time to celebrate in a whirl of confetti at Tulane University Commencement 2015 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday (May 16). More than 2,800 graduates received degrees — from bachelor"s to master"s to doctoral and medical.

Matthew Marx, student commencement speaker, recalls how he arrived at Tulane as a first-year student nine years ago “to a struggling and broken city” in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, the culture of the city has been reborn and the city and university are thriving. Marx received his medical degree from Tulane at the commencement ceremony. It is his third Tulane degree: He also has earned bachelor"s and master"s degrees.

Bandleader and clarinetist Dr. Michael White stages a polished, spirited musical performance throughout Tulane University Commencement 2015.

Philosopher Onora O"Neill, legal scholar Hein Kötz and author Walter Mosley are the recipients of honorary degrees from Tulane University this year.

Green Envy, an a cappella group of Tulane University students, sings “Lovin" You” at Commencement 2015. The song was written by Richard Rudolph, a 1968 Tulane graduate and father of commencement speaker Maya Rudolph. A recording of the song by Minnie Riperton, Maya"s late mother, was a mega-hit in the 1970s. Richard and Minnie played the song as a lullaby for Maya when she was a baby.

Maya Rudolph, commencement speaker, shows off the Tulane President"s Medal presented to her at the ceremony. President Mike Fitts told Rudolph, “You make us laugh and for that we are so grateful.”