Wave Goodbye to the Class of 2009

As events led up to Tulane University Commencement 2009 on Saturday (May 16), parents, grandparents and other relatives and friends flocked to New Orleans to celebrate their graduates' success.

In video interviews by New Wave's roving reporters, some parents turned philosophical about the growth they've seen in their graduates, while those earning degrees looked forward to the next steps in their lives and were wistful about what they'll miss in the Crescent City.

A sizable number of the “Katrina class” have decided to stay in New Orleans to continue aiding the city's renewal.

Our reporters collected a sampling of thoughts at the annual Wave Goodbye party on the uptown campus on Friday (May 15) and at the Louisiana Superdome on Commencement day.

The story was produced by New Wave team members Alicia Duplessis Jasmin, Ryan Rivet and Fran Simon.