Matt Coleman, University College, Class of 2004

Unique: a word frequently used by Matt Coleman, University College class of 2004, when describing his four years at Tulane University. His favorite memories of his time at school stem from the combination of both the academic and social aspects the university had to offer. Currently, Matt works in government and politics, more on the government and public service side, and he credits Tulane as where he first got his appetite wet. Matt thrived on the unique laboratory he was offered as a student, with opportunities to get hands-on learning in Louisiana politics. Matt enjoyed the highly contentious election of Ray Nagin while he was a student. On campus, Matt was the president of College Republicans, VP of Student Life and very active in the student government. He became very good friends with Harry Connick, Sr., the district attorney of the Parish of Orleans from 1973 to 2003, and Harry Lee the longtime sheriff of Jefferson Parish. While Matt made a personal effort to befriend politicians, Matt said Tulane would bring in political figures. There were presidential folks on campus all the time, like John McCain and Gary Bauer.

Matt immersed himself in the cultural as well as the rich political scene in Louisiana (“Downtown Fun”, clip #1). He thought a great part of the Tulane experience was that when exploring downtown where you ended up all depended on whom you were with. One day he would be eating beignets at Café Du Monde, the next listening to bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at (what was called) The Red Room and the next hanging out at Grits or F&Ms. Matt also got to experience the 1998 undefeated football season. Matt was there, in Memphis, on the last day of 1998 to watch the Tulane Green Wave, riding on Sean King’s shoulders, defeat the Brigham Young University Cougar football team in the Liberty Bowl. He also saw some not so great football seasons, but nevertheless enjoyed the Tulane tradition of taking the streetcar or bus or car to the Super Dome to be spectators at the games (“Football Fanatics”, clip #2). Somewhat similar to the renewed sense of patriotism after 9/11 Matt viewed when he returned after a two-year leave of absence, Matt views the new Yulman Stadium as a continuation and renewed sense of the spirit of the widely successful 1998 football season.

Matt also attended the unified commencement at the Super Dome, yet another unique Tulane tradition, that brought (and still continues to bring) together undergraduate students from each college as well as the graduate students (“Unique Commencement”, clip #3). Matt appreciates the retention of the “celebrity professors” at Tulane University post-Katrina. As a student, he did not have the opportunity to study with these nationally recognized men and women like James Carville and Melissa Harris Perry. Although he does not necessarily see eye to eye with them, Matt loves the opportunities these professors now provides for Tulane students. He hopes that students are taught all sides of an issue in these courses. Matt also looks forward to seeing how President Fitts will create a new university-wide focus on graduate and professional studies.

Matt is still in touch with his dean and some of his closest friends work at the University or are professors. He’s active in post-collegiate life as the co-chair of his ten-year reunion and past member of the alumni board. Matt’s four years at Tulane were not something he left behind. He has returned to New Orleans for his bachelor party, for donor meetings and alumni meetings. He looks forward to seeing the completed stadium when he heads down south in November for homecoming. Tulane University provided Matt with a classroom that expanded far outside of the campus and sticks with him ten years after his graduation.

[Editor’s Note: This article was captured as part of the class “Media Histories” taught by Vicki Mayer in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Affairs at Tulane University.]