President Fitts meets Costa Rica's president

Tulane University President Mike Fitts recently met with Luis Guillermo Solís, the president of Costa Rica, during Fitts' visit to Latin America. Solis is a Tulane alumnus, with a master's degree in Latin American studies that he earned in 1981. He attended Tulane on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Fitts was in Latin America, traveling first to Panama and then to Costa Rica, to introduce himself to the university's contingent of alumni and supporters there.

Tulane has one of the most established and recognized Latin American studies programs.

Solis said he has very fond memories of New Orleans. Fitts presented a gift to Soli­s: Creole Cottage glasses from renowned designer Mignon Faget, a Tulane alumna.

Also at the meeting in Solis' office were Henning Jensen, rector of the University of Costa Rica, and Constantino Urcuyo, academic director at CIAPA, the Tulane-affiliated campus in San Jose, Costa Rica, who has taught at Tulane in the past.

Soli­s has taught numerous Tulane students in courses in Central American Politics at CIAPA, which is led by Ludovico Feoli. Soli­s recently gave a speech there on the foreign policy priorities of his administration. He began his speech by recalling the beginning of his academic career under the tutelage and guidance of the late Samuel Z. Stone, the founder and former director of CIAPA.

Tulane has long-standing ties to Latin America, including one of the most established and recognized Latin American studies programs through the Roger Thayer Stone Center for Latin American Studies. Tulane Law School also has many connections there, dating to when the Panama Canal became under the jurisdiction of federal court in New Orleans.

Students at Tulane have various study abroad opportunities in Costa Rica, and some students from that country come to Tulane for studies.