Tulane University President Mike Fitts and other administrators joined Louisiana legislators in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 16 for the yearly Tulane Day at the Louisiana State Capitol, celebrating Tulane’s $5.2 billion annual impact on the state’s economy.
Tulane is one of Louisiana’s largest private employers, supporting over 30,000 jobs and generating $88.2 million in annual state tax revenue through research, operations and campus expansion.
Fitts met with lawmakers to discuss Tulane’s role in tackling issues like population loss, economic diversification and public health improvement.
“The Louisiana legislature is honoring Tulane University today. It’s a wonderful day to celebrate the success of Tulane, Tulane students and the importance we have for Louisiana,” Fitts said.
Tulane set up tables outside the capitol’s Memorial Hall representing the university’s Center for K-12 STEM Education, Tulane School of Medicine Nursing Program, Tulane Cancer Center Research and the School of Architecture and Built Environment.
Jillian Jenkins, a local high school student and daughter of a Tulane faculty member, volunteered for the event and provided information about the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment.
“Through the Urban Build Project, Tulane architecture students in their first semester go through all the legal and design work to build tiny homes in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans in their second semester,” Jenkins said.
Louisiana Legislative Scholar and freshman Chloe Liles also volunteered for Tulane Day.
“This experience has been super fun. Getting to sit in on committee hearings has been very insightful,” Liles said.
Kerry Stockwell, assistant vice president of campus engagement and executive communications, helped run the Future of Energy Forum.
“As a major research university in the heart of the Gulf South, Tulane is uniquely positioned to convene leaders and shape solutions for Louisiana and beyond.” Stockwell said. “This year’s forum will also feature expanded student engagement and new opportunities for career exploration and networking.”
The event shed light on the problem of Louisiana’s brain drain, a phenomenon where young, college-educated individuals leave the state for career opportunities elsewhere.
Tulane promoted initiatives such as the Louisiana Promise Program and the Tulane University Innovation Institute, which aim to retain local talent in the state by aligning academic programs with evolving economic needs.
“Through Louisiana Promise — which offers a Tulane education with no loans to Louisiana students from families making less than $100,000 per year — the legislative scholarships and the Innovation Institute, we are ensuring that the best and brightest students in the state stay right here in Louisiana,” Fitts said.
Jeanette Weiland represented the Tulane School of Science and Engineering as their chief business officer.
“It’s important that our state’s leaders understand that the School of Science and Engineering attracts and graduates best-in-class talent as a pipeline to fuel industry at home in Louisiana and well beyond the region, including but not limited to energy, maritime, aerospace, tech and additional sectors,” Weiland said.
Fitts and Tulane also brought their plans for Charity Hospital to the Louisiana State Legislature. Tulane is investing $600 million to transform the former Charity Hospital building into a mixed-use complex of laboratories, apartments and office spaces.