Photos by Kenny Lass

Thomas LaVeist, dean of the newly named Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University, had a secret. It was one that he knew would transform the school’s trajectory and redefine its future, heralding an unprecedented era that would not only elevate the school’s standing among its peers nationwide, but also expand its influence on public health globally for generations to come.

But he was bound to keep the news to himself. A select group of colleagues was in on the surprise, and they, like LaVeist, had been sworn to secrecy.

Then, on Sept. 18, 2024, Tulane President Michael A. Fitts made the historic announcement.

“Today, with the eyes of the world upon us, I am delighted to announce that the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine will henceforth be known as the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.”

The school, Fitts said, was being renamed in honor of the beloved alumna in recognition of her landmark total lifetime giving of more than $160 million in support of the university.

“Celia’s gift will establish the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine as one of the top such programs in the world,” Fitts said. “This will have a monumental real-world impact, improving and saving countless lives, both here in Louisiana and across the globe.”

Transforming public health education

The Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine has a long and proud history, its founding dating back to 1912 when it became the first school of its kind in the United States. Tulane’s commitment to public health goes back even further as a university, having been established as a medical school in 1834 to address epidemics of cholera, yellow fever, smallpox and malaria that were running rampant across the United States in the 19th century.

Today, with more than 130 full-time faculty members and a student body of 1,400, the school is tackling the most critical public health issues of today.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the school conducted studies related to the spread of the virus. Its research helped inform national policy decisions and health interventions, putting the school at the forefront of the fight against this global threat. Tulane’s public health experts also worked closely with communities to educate the public about COVID-19 and help minimize the spread of the virus.

More recently, Tulane public health researchers conducted a study linking high salt consumption to risk of type 2 diabetes, another study showing simple diet swaps can cut carbon emissions and improve overall health, and yet another finding that climbing more than five flights of stairs daily could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20%.

Weatherhead’s record-setting support will provide seed funding for the development of research hubs in areas such as cancer control, climate change and health, health equity, health policy, infectious disease epidemiology, public health workforce development, and the use of artificial intelligence in the study of population health. Her gift will also further strengthen the faculty and enhance the student experience, especially in the form of scholarships.

Weatherhead’s generosity will further advance Tulane’s plan to expand the downtown campus, where the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is located. Tulane’s downtown expansion is key to reimagining New Orleans as a national hub of biotechnology and innovation.

“It is fitting that such an integral part of Tulane’s mission of research, education and service bears the Weatherhead name,” Fitts said.

Investing in public health professionals

LaVeist describes Weatherhead’s gift as a game-changer, representing a doubling down of Tulane’s commitment to health research. The Weatherhead gift is also part of the overall momentum the university is experiencing with record success on every metric used to measure the quality of a university, including an incredible 75 percent increase in research funding over the past seven years.

Tulane is unique among major research universities — home to a school of public health and tropical medicine, a school of medicine and a National Primate Research Center. It is a configuration that inspires interdisciplinary research to advance and improve health worldwide while working to systematically restructure the entire health system.

LaVeist has long considered Tulane on par with the three public health schools that were founded shortly after Tulane — Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Columbia, all of which have named public health schools. He said the significance of a naming cannot be overstated, as it enhances the school’s prestige and influence while attracting top scholars and students.

For prospective students, both graduate and undergraduate, that means more scholarship opportunities. For the school, it means attracting the best and brightest, with the added incentive of tuition assistance.

That’s not to say that Tulane doesn’t already have top-notch public health students, LaVeist said. But a boost in the number of scholarships will translate into an even stronger student body, he added.

The Weatherhead gift will also help to transform public health by providing ongoing education and training for the public health workforce.

Christian, president of the school’s Student Government Association, said the gift’s emphasis on student scholarships is significant, in large part because public health jobs are not especially lucrative.

“We’re not in it for the money,” he said. “If you want to make money, there are other options to do that. When I think of public health, I think about how I can make a difference in my community. How can I make it healthier and more sustainable? The jobs are meaningful and impactful, and they matter.”

Dev, a registered doctor from India who enrolled in the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine because of her interest in population health, said the Weatherhead gift is life changing.

“As an international student, I know how much scholarships help lighten the financial load, allowing us to focus on learning and growing instead of worrying about tuition fees,” Dev said. “This generous gift will not only help students like me but also push the school to new heights as a leader in public health research and education. It’s a step toward making Tulane the best public health school in the country and shaping the future of public health leaders.”

Christian said he had the opportunity to meet Weatherhead at the celebration, and the first thing he did was thank her for her dedication to Tulane. “She’s very intentional. She’s very passionate. That stood out for me. I think so highly of her because of her contributions to Tulane and how that will affect the field of public health overall.”

A longstanding commitment to Tulane

Weatherhead’s love of Tulane dates back to the early 1960s when she enrolled in Newcomb College as a freshman. A native of Boynton Beach, Florida, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater in 1965 from Newcomb, followed by a Master of Education degree from Florida Atlantic University.

Weatherhead’s and her late husband Albert’s support for Tulane has spanned decades, focusing primarily on increasing access to Tulane and establishing the Weatherhead Presidential Chairs. Through these faculty positions, the university recruits renowned experts in emerging fields who engage in cross-disciplinary teaching and research on a global scale. Additionally, the Weatherheads established the Weatherhead Scholars Program, which provides scholarships for academically talented students who are committed to public service.