Game Changers Paula Burch-Celentano Head of the Class Taris Shenall Leads His Classmates in an Intro to Jazz Dance Exercise During the Last Day of Class in June
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PUSH WOMEN AT GREEN HOMEGIRL AND PULL THE TOP OF APPLE Designer Becky Female student- THEIR GAME Environmentalist Vizard creates athletes strive Graduates make Lisa Jackson moves fancy pillows from THE MAGAZINE OF TULANE UNIVERSITY for excellence their mark to technology giant antique textiles TUSEPTEMBER 2016 lane Game Changers PAULA BURCH-CELENTANO HEAD OF THE CLASS Taris Shenall leads his classmates in an Intro to Jazz Dance exercise during the last day of class in June. The course, taught by associate professor of dance Beverly Trask, explores the legacy of jazz dance: from its roots in African and Carib- bean dance traditions to its assimilation into contemporary American dance culture. Shenall is a sophomore and a member of the Green Wave football team. Recruitment Back cover: The Molly Marine statue looks out over Canal Street in downtown New Orleans. Commis- sioned by the Marine Corps to recruit women during World War II, it is the first monument of a woman in a U.S. service uniform. It was created by sculp- tor Enrique Alferez in 1943. The inscription on the base of the stature reads: “Free a Marine to Fight.” (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano) TULANE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2016 1 PRESIDENT’S LETTER Another high-achieving Tulane student who would make her predecessors proud is biomedical engineering major Anne Wolff. A Woman’s World Anne has traveled to Rwanda, where she by Mike Fitts assisted locals in fixing difficult-to- replace medical equipment and wrote a compelling case study on Throughout its history, Tulane University has been defined the gendered consequences of by women. Evidence of this is everywhere. The univer- the judicial processes follow- sity’s most famous buildings, in fact, testify to it—from ing that country’s genocide. Newcomb Hall, named for the daughter of Newcomb Borneo was one of the College founder Josephine Louise Newcomb, to the stops for Mikayla Stern- Lavin-Bernick Center, built by a family foundation Ellis, an ecology and headed by one of America’s leading female entrepre- evolutionary biology and neurs, Carol Lavin Bernick. There’s also the Lindy anthropology double ma- Boggs Center for Energy and Biotechnology, which jor, who has studied how houses our School of Science and Engineering, and raising awareness of the the Caroline Richardson Building, named for the world’s dwindling popu- Tulane graduate and English professor who headed the lation of orangutans can Newcomb Relief Unit, which served overseas with the influence people’s decision YWCA after World War I. in avoiding the consumption And, of course, there’s the Newcomb College Institute, of palm oil. Her passion for pri- which carries on the tradition of women-focused undergradu- mates brought Mikayla to Costa ate education and leadership training begun by Josephine Louise Rica this past semester to research Newcomb more than a century ago. the impact of limited natural resources on The Mary Amelia Women’s Center, which seeks to improve health for white-faced capuchin behavior in Santa Rosa women, children and families through community building, research National Park. and advocacy, is one of many university efforts that are woman-run, Immigration, an issue currently at the fore- woman-focused and Tulane proud. front of the global conversation, is an area of These buildings and centers represent not only physical spaces keen interest for Hannah Dean, a Latin Ameri- where learning, discovery and living flourish, but also the power of can studies and political science major, who women that continues to shape our university, our city and our world. has examined national immigration reform From the arts (National Book Award–winning Tulane professor and its effects on Latino immigrants, public Jesmyn Ward) to Zika (vector-borne disease expert and Tulane profes- education reform in New Orleans and U.S.– sor Dawn Wesson), there are few aspects of today’s society that are not Cuban relations. Hannah has also worked to being shaped, informed, influenced or improved by Tulane women. strengthen relations between Tulane and local It’s likely that even the clothes you are wearing as you read this immigrant communities and has helped draft have been improved by the genius of a Tulane woman. If you are citywide immigrant integration policies as an wondering what I mean, remember that in 1964, Tulane graduate intern with the New Orleans City Council. and one-time professor Ruth Benerito and her research team at the All these students are Newcomb Scholars, U.S. Department of Agriculture altered cellulose molecules to create a program that provides Tulane women with wrinkle-resistant cotton. an enriching and shared four-year adventure Wrinkle-free cotton was just one of the 55 patents held by Benerito, of research, seminars and experiential learn- who also invented a method to deliver fat intravenously to wounded ing opportunities. Besides excelling in their soldiers during the Korean War. Benerito, who entered Newcomb studies and experiencing the true richness, College when she was just 15 years old, is one of the many remarkable depth and transformation of a Tulane educa- Tulane women to whom we all owe a debt. tion, these young scholars are part of a wave Besides their own achievements these pioneers provide inspiration of amazing women coming (indeed rushing) to today’s Tulane students such as Lilith Winkler-Schor, a dual-degree in the wake of their predecessors to take their MARK ANDRESEN MARK major, who is earning a bachelor’s in studio art and a bachelor’s in so- rightful position as leaders. They are eager to cial policy and political science, as well as a minor in social innovation make changes here and now and destined to (how’s that for Tulane grit?). Lilith has wandered far from the columned FEMALE INFLUENCES make history in the future. porticos of Newcomb Hall, and works with formerly incarcerated Tulane has long been So as you read the stories of incredible young adults as they re-enter their communities. Her experience on the and continues today to Tulane women on the following pages, re- be an educational ground largely informs her research, as she examines the intersection institution where women member that the story does not end here. of poverty, incarceration and housing access in New Orleans. thrive and flourish. There is plenty more to come. 2 SEPTEMBER 2016 TULANE MAGAZINE TUlane CONTENTS The Hand She's Dealt Jill Meyers (NC ’71) shows her cards at the American Contract Bridge League tourna- ment in Washington, D.C., in July 2016. (See “Women at the Top of Their Game” on page 18.) 2 PRESIDENT’S LETTER Distinguished women 6 NEWS First female • Doug Hertz, chair-elect of Tulane Board • In That Number • Who Dat? Rich Cohen • University of Value • Diabetes trials • Community CLIFF OWEN CLIFF Book Center remade • Cannabinoids: High blood pressure treat- 14 Push and Pull ment? • Three Women of America by Elizabeth Discipline and dedication—to their sport and their studies—shape the lives of women Catlett • Tania Tetlow student-athletes. By Kaitlin Maheu, SLA ’16 13 SPORTS Sprinter Jasmine Blocker • Volleyball’s 18 Women at the upcoming season Top of Their Game 30 TULANIANS Matthew Cardinale Seven powerful Tulane women graduates change the way the world works, overcoming • Football tailgating obstacles and opening up opportunities in the fields of business, philanthropy, basketball, • Albert Ledner • KC Guidry • Cam Perron credit, health care, women-led organizations, equal rights and bridge. By Leslie Cardé 31 WHERE Y'AT! Class notes 24 Green Apple 37 FAREWELL Lisa Jackson (E ’83) shifts her passion for a greener environment from government work to Tribute: Apple, the behemoth technology company that is changing the world. By Faith Dawson John Weinmann 38 WAVEMAKERS Cowen Scholars • 26 Homegirl Endowment gifts It’s been a 20-year journey, but designer Becky Watson Vizard (NC ’81) is now at home with 40 NEW ORLEANS herself, her work and her community. By Nick Marinello Navy vs. Tulane TULANE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2016 3 MORE TIFFANYS Robert Force, Niels F. Johnsen Professor of Maritime Law, notes that Tilton Hall also has Tiffany windows in addition to those in the June 2016 Tulane “Gallery.” They are called “Art & Literature.” YEAH, YOU WRITE HUMAN INTEREST Library of Health Sciences. “While aware that the caduceus you for publishing it. Kudos on the “Doctors of Dis- As you will note they depict is the staff of the Greek god Wendy Lehrer Birnbaum, NC ’86 covery” article [Tulane, June the caduceus, which was the Hermes—and often mistaken for Weston, Florida 2016]. As a Newcomb grad (NC traditional symbol of Hermes, the rod of Asclepius, which is the ’80), I have been scanning the who was actually the god of correct symbol for medicine—be- MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT Tulane magazine for quite a trade and negotiations, rather cause the bronze gates displayed Just finished reading the June few years. Your article on the than the correct rod of in the Tulane University 2016 Tulane magazine. Angus doctors and their discoveries Asclepius, who was the god of Rudolph Matas Library of the Lind’s reminiscence on the stands out as both well written medicine. In modern times Health Sciences depict the streaking craze brought back and fascinating. this error came about when the caduceus, I thought the image of some fun memories. I was a As a result of your article, Army Medical Corps adopted the gates appropriate to use on junior the spring of the streak- I have ordered a copy of Dr. the caduceus, rather than the the Tulane cover. The caduceus ing craze. One item of note Doty’s book and I look forward correct rod of Asclepius, as the symbol is also associated with that was omitted was that the to future articles on Tulane’s Tulane Band provided inciden- growing role in the field of tal music to accompany some neuroscience.