David Mussafer in a gray suit claps at a clear podium against a teal backdrop. The Paul Tulane Society logo and "2025" are displayed prominently.

Board of Tulane Chair David Mussafer welcomes guests to the Paul Tulane Society Induction Ceremony and Gratitude Dinner at the New Orleans Board of Trade on Thursday, Sept. 18. Photo: Cheryl Gerber

Paul Tulane Society Members Help Drive Tulane’s Transformation and Student Success

At the annual Paul Tulane Society Induction Ceremony, the university honors visionary donors whose generosity drives innovation, student achievement and campus growth.

Tulane celebrated some of its most devoted philanthropic partners at the annual Paul Tulane Society Induction Ceremony and Gratitude Dinner, held at the New Orleans Board of Trade on Thursday, Sept. 18.

President Michael A. Fitts and Board of Tulane Chair David Mussafer (B ’85) welcomed new members to the distinguished group, which honors donors who have made gifts totaling $1 million or more to the university. Members of the society have been transformative in re-envisioning the uptown campus, empowering groundbreaking research and elevating the student experience.

Fitts credited Tulane’s outstanding progress in recent years to the “unwavering commitment” of the Paul Tulane Society, saying, “Tulane is on the rise. We are experiencing extraordinary success across every measure.”

This year’s inductees included:

  • Capital One, represented by Katherine Gonzalez Kay

  • First Horizon Bank and Louisiana First Horizon Bank (formerly IBERIABANK), represented by M. Cleland Powell III (A&S ’70), Tony Adams and Ben Dupuy

  • Mark A. Fogelman (B ’92) and Margo C. Fogelman

  • The estate of Louise R. Horn (NC ’45)

  • Walter S. Isaacson and Cathy Wright Isaacson

  • The estate of Robert J. Peyser

  • The estate of Charles E. Stokes Jr. (G ’75)

  • The estate of Barbara G. Sunderland

  • The estate of Peter G. VonDippe, MD (M ’75), represented by Marianne Rogoff

  • Mark D. Wheeler (E ’89) and Amelia J. Archer

 

A man in a suit warmly shakes hands with another man in a formal setting, both smiling. A woman is seated nearby. The atmosphere is formal and cordial.

Tulane President Michael A. Fitts greets student volunteers Bryce Bohanon (left) and Gwen Shahboz (right) at the dinner. Photo: Cheryl Gerber

Mussafer and Fitts alternated induction duties, with the board chair praising the members of the Paul Tulane Society as “visionary leaders who have reshaped the landscape of our great institution through your philanthropy.”

Founded in 1983, the Paul Tulane Society has recognized the contributions of some of the university’s most committed partners. In recent years, members’ collective generosity has underpinned Tulane’s expansive transformation and sustained its strong momentum.