Memories of the Storm

With the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina nearly two months away, Tulane University has launched a comprehensive website to commemorate “one of the most challenging times in the history of the university.”

The website, which went live on Monday (June 14), centers around an interactive timeline of Katrina-related events involving Tulane, using photos and video. It includes a section for readers to share their memories of the storm.

In addition, the site promotes a multimedia exhibit that the university will present in the Lavin-Bernick Center starting on Aug. 30. A search is under way for photos and other materials for that exhibit.

A listing of events being held at Tulane around the Aug. 29 anniversary will continue to be updated on the website, but two community events already are highlighted that coincide with the start of the fall semester.

Back-to-back volunteer events will send members of the Tulane community out to assist in recovery efforts. First will be the Wave of Green Day of Service for faculty and staff members and alumni on Friday, Aug. 27. On the following day, Tulane students will have their annual Outreach Tulane community service event.

“Five years is such a landmark — we need to remember what happened and pay tribute to the whole experience,” says Debbie Grant, vice president of university communications and marketing. “Tulane has come so far and exceeded everyone's expectations.”

Four iconic words lead readers through the website: survive (Aug. 27–30, 2005); rebuild (Aug. 31–Dec. 7, 2005); renew (Dec. 8, 2005–May 31, 2010); and empower (June 1, 2010 and beyond).

By clicking a link on the site, Tulane supporters also can donate to the Tulane Empowers campaign, which Grant says is “a signal of our continuing strength and growth.”

The website was developed by Rachel Hoormann, director of university web communications, and other staff members in university communications.