Former Gore transition team director to team-teach new course

The former director of Vice President Al Gore's transition team, Roy M. Neel, will team up with a noted Vanderbiltpolitical scientist to teach a new undergraduate course called "Presidential Transitions." Neel, a Vanderbilt alumnus who has worked closely with Gore throughout his political career, and John Geer, a professor of political science, will team-teach the weekly seminar during spring 2002.

"I'm delighted to be returning to Vanderbilt to join John Geer in teaching this new course," Neel said. "Presidential transitions are only now getting the kind of attention from political science scholars and historians that this unique time in the governance of our country deserves. And John's stature as an observer of the American presidency will make the course a special experience for these students."

The course, which is limited to 15 students, is offered by the Vanderbilt Department of Political Science. Outside lecturers, some of whom have been active in the presidential transition process themselves, will be invited to campus occasionally toparticipate in the class.

"Our goal will be to, in some sense, merge the academic world with the real world of presidential politics, thereby providing our students with a unique and rich learning experience," said Geer, who has written extensively about campaigns, elections and public opinion. His books include Parties and Politicians (Johns Hopkins Press 1998) and From Tea Leaves to Opinion Polls (Columbia University Press 1996). Geer also served as vice chair of the 1998 Task Force on Campaign Reform, which was funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Neel has played several prominent roles in the Washington political and legislative arena for more than two decades. He was Gore's legislative director and chief of staff while Gore was in Congress. Neel also served as chief of staff to Vice President Gore and later as President Clinton's deputy chief of staff.

In early 1994, Neel stepped away from the Clinton administration to become president/CEO of U.S. Telephone Association (USTA), a lobbying group for local phone companies. Then, in September 2000, Neel took a leave of absence from USTA to help his longtime friend Gore plan for a new administration. Neel recently founded a lobbying organization called The Jackson Group.

Neel received his B.A. from Vanderbilt in 1972 after majoring in fine arts. His undergraduate activities included serving as manager of the men's basketball team and working on the student newspaper, the Vanderbilt Hustler. Neel, who also worked as a sportswriter for the Nashville Banner, is the author of Dynamite! 75 Years of Vanderbilt Basketball.

Neel has several family connections to Vanderbilt. His grandfather, Thomas Meeks Neel, graduated from the School of Engineering in 1902. Neel's aunt, the late Frances Neel Cheney, earned her bachelor of arts degree from Vanderbilt in 1928 and also was a librarian, library educator and professor in the Peabody School of Library Science for 30 years. Neel's father, Walter Hibbett Neel, received his degree in 1932 from the College of Arts and Science, while his brother, W. Hibbett Neel Jr., is a 1963 engineering graduate. Neel's stepson, Chris Clad Dally, is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Science.

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