Fundraiser to Launch Mentoring Program

Welcoming new multi-ethnic newcomers to Tulane is an annual event sponsored by the Black Faculty and Staff Association, but this year's celebration has a special goal — to raise funds for a new Student Connection Program.

The event, called "An Evening in the Arts," which also features an auction with Saints memorabilia, computers and other top-flight items, will take place from 5 until 7:30 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 17) at Goldring/Woldenberg Hall II in the first floor, lobby and courtyard on the uptown campus.

Tickets are $20 for special food and desserts, comedy by Carrey B and smooth jazz by Donald Ramsey, John Jones and Kendrick Marshall. The focus of the event, however, is to raise funds for the new program that will enhance student mentoring, says Michael Cunningham, associate professor in psychology, who is a member of the event committee and the former faculty co-chair for the Black Faculty and Staff Association.

In the new student initiative, Cunningham says, “We aim to promote the well-being of participating students and provide them with opportunities to meet with and be supported by caring faculty and staff.”

The association has an ongoing mentoring program for Tulane student-athletes, but with the new Student Connection Program, the group wants to provide small grants to faculty members or schools at Tulane that are interested in developing mentoring opportunities with students who have multi-ethnic interests.

At Friday's silent auction, items to be offered include electronics such as an iPad and laptop computers, Jazz Fest posters and signed lithographs, and sports memorabilia including two Saints footballs, one signed by Head Coach Sean Peyton and the other signed by Saints players. Other auction items include books signed by authors, spa packages, hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates, wine baskets, personal fitness training lessons and salsa dance lessons.