Dean Meyer: Let's work together to shape the next 50 years

Dear Friends,

Thank you for opening the first installment of a newsletter for Tulane Law’s black alumni. This project is born out of our inaugural Black Alumni Reunion Weekend, which was held from Feb. 7-10 in New Orleans. It was an unforgettable and moving weekend that brought together more than 350 alumni and guests to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our first African American graduate, Michael Starks, and 50 years of black alumni achievement. Thank you so much to all of you who joined us for the weekend, and who were involved in making it a success.

One of the reunion’s goals was to invite you to partner with me, and the Law School faculty and staff, to shape the next 50 years of diversity at Tulane Law. This newsletter will be a way for us all to share ideas and to keep you updated on programs that advance diversity at the Law School. Our extraordinary network of alumni shapes the future of our Law School, and I am so grateful for the difference you are already making in the lives of our current students. So many of you have signed up to become a mentor in Assistant Dean Lezlie Griffin’s Minority Mentorship program, and have come back to speak in our Diversity Dialogue series. In addition, over the last year of celebrating Michael Stark’s graduation, alumni and friends have collectively given more than $135,000 to funds that support diversity initiatives to the Law School. Thank you sincerely for your support. 

In the years since 1968, Tulane Law School has graduated more than 1000 African American students and more than 2,000 students of color. What began with one remarkable man now makes up roughly a fifth of all Tulane Law graduates since Mr. Starks’ graduation. So many of you, like him, have gone on to careers of great distinction and impact—as leaders of law firms, judges, academics, public servants, and entrepreneurs—and have transformed communities across the nation. As we renew connections and seek to build a stronger foundation for our future black lawyers, we are honored and humbled by your diverse talent, enthusiasm and energy as alumni. Our greatest hope is that in the years ahead, you feel appreciated, engaged and empowered to join us in writing Tulane Law’s future. I hope to see all of our at our next Black Alumni Reunion Weekend in 2022! 

Warm Regards, 

David Meyer