New Scholarship- Weatherhead scholars- seriously cool!

[jym626]

<p>From Scott Cowen:

June 24, 2011</p>

<p>Good Morning: </p>

<p>I told you I would only write during the summer if I had big news. I think this qualifies. At last week’s Board of Tulane meeting, the Weatherhead Foundation announced a pledge of $50 million to establish the Weatherhead Scholars program at Tulane. This program will provide scholarships to students who are not only the best academically but are also leaders in service to their communities. </p>

<p>Weatherhead Scholars will receive substantial assistance to help cover the costs of attending Tulane, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board and personal expenses. Tulane, in turn, will receive the country’s best students who seek to transform the world by turning classroom knowledge into community action.</p>

<p>The first Weatherhead Scholars will enroll at Tulane in 2013, but the pledge will be given in incremental payments over a period of time in order to keep Tulane’s community engagement mission thriving for years to come.</p>

<p>Celia Weatherhead, who along with her husband Al oversees the Weatherhead Foundation, is a graduate of Newcomb College and a member of the Board of Tulane. I cherish Al and Celia. They have been extraordinary friends to Tulane University and to me personally for many years. Their loyalty and dedication to higher education both here in New Orleans and throughout the country is legendary. To learn more about the Weatherheads and their incredibly generous pledge please read this press release. <a href=“http://tulane.edu/news/releases/pr_06242011.cfm[/url]”>http://tulane.edu/news/releases/pr_06242011.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Have a great weekend,</p>

<p>Scott

</p>

<p>I can’t wait to hear the specifics of what the requirements are and how much the students will get!</p>

[Vitrac]

<p>Very inspiring. Very generous. An amazing gift.</p>

[twoby2013]

<p>I am very happy to see this as Tulane is very high on my son’s list. I would appreciate it if anyone sees news of the particulars to post them.</p>

[Stonebridge]

<p>Excellent news! I hope this will inspire more Tulane alumni (including the future ones) to contribute to such a great school.</p>

[jym626]

<p>This is sad ( from Pres. Cowan today):

The Tulane community suffered a great loss this week as our dear friend, Albert J. Weatherhead III, passed away while recovering from an illness.</p>

<p>Many will remember Al for his extraordinary generosity to Tulane and to numerous other universities and organizations throughout the country. In the last two years alone he and Celia, a Newcomb alumna and member of our board, pledged $100 million to Tulane, which will benefit outstanding students with distinguished records of community engagement, and help recruit and retain faculty who have made outstanding contributions as artists, researchers or scholars.</p>

<p>I, too, will remember Al for his generosity, which helped transform so many lives and institutions. But I also will remember him because of his joyous mischief and big heart, for his vision and high expectations, which inspired those of us who knew him to try to excel at whatever we did.</p>

<p>I also will remember him for his ability to overcome adversity in his personal life and to become a true “difference maker” for so many. I will remember him for his grit and determination and for his ability to lift the spirits of everyone around him, even during the darkest times.</p>

<p>Mostly, I will remember him as my friend and mentor, and for his and Celia’s guidance in encouraging me to come to Tulane 14 years ago.</p>

<p>My deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers are with Celia and all who knew and loved Al. He and Celia made a significant difference in my life as well as the life of Tulane University. I will really miss Al.

</p>