Dean Ira Solomon remembers Beau Parent

Today I attended Beau Parent’s funeral service. The passing of Professor Parent is a sudden, tragic and very, very sad life event. It is extremely painful for the family—I know first hand as I fairly recently lost one of my parents. And, it is painful for his friends and colleagues, especially those of us within the extended Freeman School community.

Such life events can provide an opportunity for reflection. While I only knew Beau for a little more than three years, I learned early on that Beau Parent lived a life of purpose and impact. We often say that we are in the business of transforming the lives of our students. Beau began for Freeman that transformation for hundreds of students each semester and, over his more than 35-year career, literally thousands of Tulane University students. Beau was a highly ethical, extremely hard-working, and totally dedicated educator. Beau also had a special talent for teaching relatively large numbers of students. Yet he was able to establish personal relationships with many of his students. As I have travelled to cities around the U.S. and, for that matter, around the globe, I am asked about Beau as much or more than any current or past member of the Freeman faculty. Beau indeed did have a special and rare talent.

He very much will be missed!

Ira Solomon, Dean
Debra and Rick Rees Professor
A. B. Freeman School of Business
July 28, 2014