Tulane welcomes new graduate and professional students at reception
Tulane University welcomed its newest graduate and professional students during a reception Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Glazer Family Club in Yulman Stadium.
The reception brought together incoming students, deans and staff from across campus for an evening designed to introduce students to the university community and connect them with campus resources. The program included remarks from university leaders, the Graduate and Professional Student Association and the Office of Alumni Relations.
Michael Cunningham, associate provost of graduate and postdoctoral studies, opened the event as he introduced President Michael A. Fitts. Fitts welcomed both students returning to Tulane for another degree and those beginning their first Tulane program. He highlighted the university’s recent growth, including $1 billion in new construction over the past decade, increased federal research funding and the recruitment of scholars from all 50 states and dozens of countries.
“As graduate students, you will contribute to pathbreaking research that expands our knowledge, improves our world and saves lives,” Fitts said.
Fitts pointed to the work of several Tulane students and recent graduates, including doctoral student Mary Schulz, lead author of a study from the School of Medicine examining whether GLP-1 drugs could treat lymphatic disease; Karina Roca, whose historic preservation work in the School of Architecture and Built Environment was featured by the Smithsonian; and Vinoin Devpaul Vincely, a recent PhD graduate from the School of Science and Engineering who received a $1.5 million ARPA-H award to advance fetal monitoring technology developed with professor Carolyn Bayer through their spinoff company, LumaWave.
Fitts then handed the microphone over to Jered Bocage, managing director of alumni relations, who shared information about the resources and benefits of the Alumni Association. Michael Roux, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Association, welcomed the incoming students and outlined opportunities to become involved in graduate and professional student life.
Sarah Cunningham, vice president of student affairs, closed the program by directing students to resource tables staffed by offices including Campus Health and Wellness, part of the Division of Student Affairs; the Office of International Students and Scholars; Student Resources and Support Services; the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; Green Wave Athletics; and GAPSA.
The evening concluded with opportunities for students to connect with one another and university staff over shared refreshments.
