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NPR Morning Edition Story on Tulane Re-opening

 
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andyj



Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 2
Location: Redwood City, CA

PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 10:58 am    Post subject: NPR Morning Edition Story on Tulane Re-opening Reply with quote

This morning on NPR’s Morning Edition, there was a story on Tulane re-opening today. The story is upbeat, and reflects Scott Cowen and the Tulane administration in only the most positive light. One student reflects on how in part she is returning to Tulane because “Scott Cowen, in a speech to students, said, “Don’t come back to Tulane if you are not a person who wants to make a difference”. She was inspired by his words. But his own actions do not reflect that same courage. A more forward-thinking president would have worked much harder to give faculty, staff and alumni a chance to help develop a plan to attempt to justify the Engineering school’s existence. A more creative man would have offered suggestions for using the ROTC program and the engineering school to offer assistance in the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. Think of how much of a difference a civil engineering student could make if given the opportunity to pitch in and assist in drafting plans for new buildings, homes, or parks? What an enriching experience for a budding mechanical engineer to intern with the Army Corp of Engineers in developing new levees. A.B. Wood, a Tulane mechanical engineering graduate (BSME 1900 I think) innovated the giant screw pumps that have for generations helped to prevent disaster until this year’s horrific event.

From http://www.asme.org/Communities/History/Landmarks/AB_Wood_Screw_Pump_1914.cfm :

A. Baldwin Wood (1879-1956), a young assistant city engineer, designed and installed a system of large screw pumps (axial flow machines) to syphon water and accelerate drainage. By 1915 the Wood screw pump became the most advanced drainage pump in use. After their successful operation in New Orleans, Wood's pumps were built in the Netherlands, Egypt, China, and India. Wood also redesigned Chicago's drainage system.

Who will develop the next generation of pumps to increase the pumping capacity and help to ensure that the next Katrina does not cause such widespread damage, if not Tulane graduates?

Later on the same Morning Edition program, there was another piece about New Orleans, and Bush’s visit there today. A great deal of the coverage dealt with the disenfranchised locals protesting the federal government’s lack of support for the city. Why did NPR miss the analogous story of the disenfranchised alumni and students of Tulane’s engineering school when reporting on the school’s re-opening? The story only mentioned the elimination of "200 jobs, and several PhD programs". Perhaps if they hear from enough of us, NPR will look into the more interesting story of why Cowen and the Tulane administration is turning its back on the Engineering school. Please email Morning Edition through their online comment submission tool (link below) to register your dissatisfaction with their coverage.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5155879 (Tulane story)

http://www.npr.org/contact/ (submit comment to Morning Edition)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5155885 New Orleans story in same program)
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