Goodbye Florida State University and Tallahassee. Hello Tulane University and New Orleans!

August 2, 2008

Dear Friends,

At this momentous time in my career, I would like to personally thank my friends and colleagues (staff and students as well as faculty) in the FSU College of Social Work for their support and encouragement. I especially want to thank Dean Emeritus Ray Bardill and the current Interim Dean of the College, Nick Mazza, who have been my friends, collaborators as well as colleagues from the day I joined the faculty in 1989.

I also want to thank my many friends and colleagues throughout Florida State University . I treasure my collaborations – be they co-authorship, committee membership, or simply friendship – and intend to retain these relationships. I would like to especially express my deepest appreciation to FSU President TK Wetherell. From the moment he learned of my decision to accept the offer at Tulane and knew it was a good move, he has been an extraordinary source of support and encouragement. I will always remember and cherish these acts of kindness.

The coming months will be challenging, all moves and career changes require adaptation and considerable learning. However, Kathy and I know that moving to New Orleans and being part of the long-term recovery process is an extraordinary opportunity to apply our decades of knowledge and experience to the tasks we will embrace. We hope that our friends and family will visit us in the Big Easy and savor the fun, food, and music that makes New Orleans one of the great cities of the world.

Warm regards,

Charles Figley

figley@tulane.edu

www.charlesfigley.com