Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Split screen of Neil Meltzer (outdoors) on the left and Shavon Arline-Bradley (in studio) on the right

2026 Commencement Speakers Announced

Two distinguished alumni will return to Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine to deliver keynote addresses at the school’s 2026 commencement ceremonies, offering graduates perspectives shaped by leadership, service, and impact.

Neil Meltzer, president and CEO of LifeBridge Health, will speak at the Master’s and Doctoral Ceremony at 12pm on Saturday, May 16. Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, will address graduates at the undergraduate ceremony earlier that day at 8:30am.

Both speakers bring decades of experience advancing health, equity, and community well-being.

2026 Commencement Speakers

The Celia Scott Weatherhead School by the Numbers

  • 1st

    We were the first school of public health in the country (est. 1912)

  • 10%

    We are ranked in the top 10% of public health schools in U.S. News

  • 99%

    of graduates working or continuing education within a year of graduating

  • 52

    Students hail from 49 US states & territories

  • 36

    Our students are from 36 different countries

  • 28

    Average age of our students

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