3/14/2018
Funding the Margin of Excellence
chaber@tulane.edu
It hardly needs to be said, but universities are extremely costly endeavors. The range of budgetary demands are great: faculty and staff require appropriate salaries; students need financial assistance; facilities and equipment must be renewed and maintained. But within the expense columns of accounting spreadsheets lies something essential and precious: the support of our donors that allows us to soar beyond the necessities into areas of excellence.
In this month’s newsletter, we focus on some of the very special gifts to the School of Liberal Arts that have had a great impact on both faculty and students alike. As you will read, an anonymous donor’s gift will establish a recording studio in Dixon Hall that will fulfill the hopes of those who come to Tulane to create the music so essential to the city. Two outstanding students who study French can now spend the summer immersed in the language and culture of France through Jeff Klein’s continued generosity in creating the Professor Beth Poe Travel Fund. And, due to alumnus Gus Juneau's appreciation of the musical opportunities at Tulane available to individuals of all majors, students engage in the study of voice will find needed support.
But it is not only students who benefit from such generosity. External gifts also provide funds that allow our faculty to thrive. As made clear in the fascinating article by Michael Brumbaugh of the Department of Classical Studies, grants and gifts give us the resources needed to challenge long-standing assumptions and explore worlds both past and present. Not surprisingly, then, the new campaign, supported by individuals such as long-time advocate of the liberal arts Michal Bracci, underscores the “audacious” nature of all we do, and the possibilities that lie before us.
To reach our goals, we would also like to introduce two new SLA team members, Kassie Cosgrove and Cheryl Orticke. With their expertise in development and grants, SLA will certainly be a school of in which the margin of excellence is not only an aim but a fulfilled reality.
