I love this shot of some of my graduating girls in the French Quarter. |
Tulane has a way of taking hold of you and never letting go. We get to see this every day in the students we recruit. There really is no better feeling in the world than knowing that we as admission officers get to play even the smallest part in aiding a student to make that final decision to come down to NOLA for college. And knowing that four years later those very kids, who are now all grown up, just experienced some the best years of their life. All of a sudden, Maya Rudolph is singing the national anthem to you at graduation at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, you grab your diploma, and just like that, you have your Tulane degree, four years of the most remarkable memories and friends you could ask for, and one impeccably bright future ahead of you.
This concept has never been lost on me. Two years ago, I blogged about the Circle of Life at Tulane and how it always stays with you no matter how far you go. Even at 32 years old, that still rings true for me. Just this month I got to watch a fraternity brother and his Tulane girlfriend get married in Natchez, MS with a huge group of our friends from college by their sides. Tulane truly is forever, and to get to be there at the onset for the students we recruit is a dream come true. We get to be with them as they start this journey that will last a lifetime.
Team Tulane at the wedding. Loren and Jeff both went to Tulane and here we are with a bunch of my Tulane fraternity brothers. Ten years out of college and still going strong! |
So with graduation in the rear-view mirror, I thought I might take a bit of time to show you why this is the best job a guy could ask for. These kids I first met when they were 17-year-old high school juniors and seniors are all grown up. Now that we have officially said goodbye to the class of 2015, let’s take one last look at some of my former “kids,” and where they are today. Here we go!
So with that, I bid adieu to my kids-become-adults. I’ll spare you the quotes from Oh The Places You’ll Go and just leave you with the idea that while your four years here may be done, your Tulane adventure has only just begun. I am so proud of you all and so glad that my office got to strike a match to that little Tulane fire, one that will burn with you for the rest of your life. Oh, and need more proof that Tulane is forever? Below is me with Jacob Sotsky. I spent this past weekend with a group of friends in Pensacola Beach and Jacob was there. Why is this significant? Jacob gave a young Jeff Schiffman a tour of Tulane fifteen years ago. That's right... I am still friends with the guy who encouraged me to attend Tulane in the first place.
Tulane is forever? You bet.
Jacob and Jeff. |