Décou-Labat Residences dedicated

On Nov. 16, 2019, alumni Deidre Dumas Labat and Reynold T. Décou were recognized by the naming and dedication of The Décou-Labat Residences, formerly known as the Willow Residences. Labat and Décou became the first African American undergraduates to earn degrees from Newcomb College and Tulane, respectively.  The dedication began with a celebratory brunch, then a second-line and ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the newly dedicated building. Additionally, portraits of both Décou and Labat were unveiled and will be installed in the Newcomb Institute and the School of Science and Engineering. The distinguished alumni also participated in a public discussion and described their experiences at Newcomb and Tulane. The dedication is part of the Tulane Trailblazers initiative. For more, click here.

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Honorees Dr. Deidre Dumas Labat and Mr. Reynold Décou (center) pose with family and friends during brunch in the Jill H. and Avram A. Glazer Family Club in Yulman Stadium. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
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POCappella performs during the celebratory brunch. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
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Dr. Labat, left, and Mr. Décou, right, are all smiles following the unveiling of their portraits by artist Carl Joe Williams. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
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Outside Yulman Stadium, Dr. Deidre Dumas Labat dances with her son Marc Labat during a second line parade to the dedication ceremony of the Décou-Labat Residences. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
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Mr. Reynold Décou waves his umbrella as he marches to Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
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Tulane University President Mike Fitts, left, applauds as Reynold Décou, center, and Dr. Deidre Dumas Labat cut the ribbon officially dedicating the Décou-Labat Residences. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
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Tulane alum and board member Kim Boyle, center, moderates Converstions in Color: a discussion with Deidre Dumas Labat, right, and Reynold T. Décou, left, in the Kendall Cram Lecture Hall at the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
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Then and now - Tulane students who participated in the day's events pose with Dr. Deidre Dumas Labat and Mr. Reynold T. Décou, center. From left to right, the students are Deja Wells, Maya Childs, Lauren Gaines, Christiann Cannon and Kelvin Jennings. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)