Dean Burke: Carnival and Mardi Gras are a Joyful Combination

Dear Tulane Law Alumni,

As carnival season reaches its joyful crescendo, New Orleans once again reminds us why this city is unlike any other. Mardi Gras is not simply a celebration—it is a shared commitment to tradition, creativity, generosity, and community. These same values are at the heart of Tulane Law School, making this season a fitting moment to reflect on who we are and what we continue to build together.

This spring, our community gathered to celebrate one of the most meaningful traditions at Tulane Law: our annual Celebration of Scholarships. At this event, students had the opportunity to meet the alumni and friends whose generosity makes their legal education possible. Seeing those connections form—hearing students describe their aspirations and donors witness the real impact of their giving—was a powerful reminder that Tulane Law’s strength lies not only in academic excellence, but in a culture of care and investment in one another.

That spirit of purpose is reflected throughout our spring programming. Our Admiralty Law Institute and Corporate Law Institute continue to draw leaders from across the profession, reinforcing Tulane Law’s global reputation and practical impact. Our students are excelling in national sports negotiation competitions, while our Entertainment & Sports Law Conference and Environmental Law & Policy Summit highlight Tulane Law’s deep engagement with industries and issues that shape both culture and community—here in New Orleans and far beyond.

We are also especially proud of our students who were honored with the University’s Dr. King Leadership Award, recognizing their unwavering commitment to rigorous academic standards and meaningful service to the broader community. They embody what it means to be a Tulane lawyer: intellectually driven, civically engaged, and guided by a strong sense of responsibility to others.

Like Mardi Gras itself, Tulane Law is a place where tradition and innovation coexist, where excellence is sustained by community. We thrive because of the people who show up—year after year—to teach, mentor, debate, celebrate, and give back. Our alumni are essential to that story.  Your engagement, your achievements, and your continued connection to this institution strengthen Tulane Law in ways that extend far beyond campus.

As beads fly and parades roll, I hope you feel proud of the law school that remains deeply rooted in New Orleans while preparing lawyers to lead everywhere. We carry forward a tradition of excellence, adaptability, and joy—one that feels especially fitting this time of year.

Laissez les bons temps rouler, and thank you for being part of the Tulane Law family!

Warm regards,

Marcilynn A. Burke 
Dean and Mitchell Franklin Professor of Law
Tulane University Law School