Cameron Conklin, School of Liberal Arts, Class of 2014

Cameron Conklin at her graduation in 2014. Photo by Deidra Palmour Productions, Inc.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Cameron Conklin graduated magna cum laude from Tulane in 2014 under the School of Liberal Arts. She double majored in Communication and Political Economy and minored in Architectural Studies. At the senior awards ceremony, she was awarded the Glendy Burke Medal in Communication and the Charles H. Murphy Prize in Political Economy.

One memory that stands out in her mind is her very first week living on campus at Tulane, where she says she met a lot of her really good friends who lived on her floor. She started out in the Architecture School and became involved with theCharrette, a student-run interdisciplinary journal out of the Architecture School that focuses on research as well as creating innovative graphics. While she didn’t stay in the School of Architecture, she remained very involved with theCharrette her entire time at Tulane, and even served as Editor-in-Chief her senior year. As a sophomore, she recalls how great it was to enjoy Mardi Gras. It was more memorable than her freshman Mardi Gras because she was a little older, less overwhelmed, and more familiar with the city. All of the excitement during that time of the year is what keeps those memories fresh in her mind. Her junior year, she studied abroad in London through the Institute for Economic and Political Studies and had an incredible experience. She met many great Tulanians that she didn’t know previously, and remains in touch with them today. Cameron enjoyed taking part in Tulane traditions her senior year, particularly being involved in the Newcomb College Institute’s Big Sister/Little Sister program, where female upperclassman are paired up with incoming female freshman to help acclimate the new Tulanians to campus.

Throughout her time at Tulane, Cameron was very involved. She served as Assistant to the Program Director at the Murphy Institute Center for Ethics and Public Affairs, a student researcher with a Summer Research Grant from the Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching to study the role of non-profit organizations in the political economy of the Lower Ninth Ward, a Peer Academic Advisor from October 2012 to August 2013 at Tulane’s Academic Advising Center, a member of Chi Omega Fraternity, and as a mentor for Youth Run Nola, an after school program that focuses on helping at risk children learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

One of Cameron’s favorite venues from her Tulane years in New Orleans is the Saturn Bar, which is located on St. Claude in the Seventh Ward. She went once as a freshman, and enjoyed it so much that she just kept going back. She particularly remembers the bar having a weekly Mod Night, where they played all 50s and early 60s music and everyone dresses up.

Cameron was conflicted, and rightfully so, when asked about her favorite restaurants in New Orleans. While the cuisine in New Orleans is unique and delicious, she finally was able to pick a few of her favorites. For special occasions, she enjoys going to Antoine’s and Emeril’s Delmonico. Antoine’s food and atmosphere are very New Orleans, so she recommends it for the atmosphere and traditional New Orleans food. As for Delmonico, her favorite dish there is the NY strip steak, which she boasts is “the best steak I’ve ever had.” For less formal meals, Cameron prefers Bacchanal , where her favorites are their ceviche and dessert menu. Closer to campus, she enjoys Milk Bar, the Rum House, specifically for their Taco Tuesdays, and of course, Felipe’s.

She currently lives in New Orleans, so she visits campus quite often. Even though it’s only been a few months since she graduated, she has seen big changes on campus, particularly the new Yulman Stadium. She has Young Alumni season tickets and goes to see Tulane’s football team play as often as she can. At football games, she gets to enjoy her favorite Tulane tradition, which is singing the Hullabaloo chant. She likes how the chant gets the crowd together and encourages school spirit.

[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. It was originally published on November 4, 2014]