Hello Wave events welcome new Tulanians

Imagine arriving at Tulane University as a first-year student, with no familiar faces in sight. Generous Tulanians from various cities nationwide sponsor Hello Wave events, warmly welcoming incoming Tulane students and their families to meet in their hometowns before move-in day. The events are supported by the Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with Newcomb-Tulane College and Student Affairs.

Paige Axelrod (NC ’89) hosted an event in July in New York City that was attended by more than 85 people, including 30 incoming first-year students. “It welcomed them to the Tulane community,” says Axelrod. “It really fostered a sense of spirit and a sense of community.” 

Axelrod’s son Aidan, a rising Tulane senior, and daughter Emerson, a rising sophomore, were among the handful of current students who attended the New York City Hello Wave. There, they introduced themselves and gave advice to the newest Tulanians.

Vinay Jolly (TC ’98), a member of the Tulane Alumni Association board, hosted a Hello Wave in July at his home in Arlington, Virginia, a Washington, DC suburb. Seventy people attended, mainly incoming students and their parents.

Jolly served New Orleans food and drinks, played New Orleans jazz and set up Tulane decorations around his house.

“My wife and I try to bring a little bit of New Orleans to Washington DC,” says Jolly. “It is a nice opportunity for the kids to meet each other before starting college. And it’s good for parents to meet and to feel more at ease about sending their kids down to New Orleans. I loved seeing how excited the students are to come to Tulane.”

Axelrod encourages incoming families to attend a Hello Wave in their hometown. The events give new parents an opportunity to meet fellow parents and ask questions and put incoming students at ease. “When you get to school, you have a sense of comfort when you run into that person that you met at the Hello Wave,” Axelrod says. 

Hello Waves take place starting in mid-June through early August. Tulane alumni and parents can support the program by hosting or sponsoring an event. Hosts arrange the parties in coordination with Valerie Calenda (B’01, B*07), director of Alumni Admission Programs, from Alumni Relations. Email us to get more information!