Welcoming amazing new faculty and staff to the School of Liberal Arts
Over the last few months, Tulane has repeatedly reflected on the impact of Katrina and the rebirth of the university since that time. One group who was decidedly affected by the storm was the faculty. Immediately following Katrina, although no one in SLA was terminated, the uncertainty of the university’s future caused numerous faculty to seek employment elsewhere. For some, this departure was short lived; they returned to Tulane finding their experience could not be duplicated elsewhere. The great majority who stayed, however, did it with a fierce loyalty to the school and a determination to shape an outstanding future.
The history of the School of Liberal Arts since its creation in 2006 is a testimony to their dedication. Moreover, in the years since the storm, we have rebuilt the faculty, increasing its size beyond the pre-Katrina numbers with individuals who share our passion about the university, the liberal arts, and the city of New Orleans. In this month’s newsletter, we are pleased to include a list of thirty two new colleagues, and provide profiles of three: Rebecca Snedecker, the Clark Executive Director of the Gulf South Center, Michael McKelvey, Professor of Practice and Director of Summer Lyric in the Newcomb Department of Music and Emily Hermant, Assistant Professor of Sculpture in the Newcomb Department of Art. While these individuals come from a range of departments and centers, they are linked by a devotion to Tulane, the liberal arts, and to the community.
Nowhere is this impact more evident than in the alumni spotlight written by Matt Blackbourn, who graduated with a political science degree in 2011. Employed as a Research & Operations Associate at Pioneer Institute, Matt speaks most eloquently of the importance of his liberal arts education. Like Matt, we applaud the individuals at Tulane who have shaped his vision and continue to serve as sources of knowledge and inspiration.