Astronomer awarded 2001 Chancellor's Cup

Photo by Woodie Knight

A reception was held outside Wilson Hall Oct. 10 to celebrate David A. Weintraub, associate professor of astronomy, as the winner of the 2001 Chancellor's Cup.

by David Glasgow

Continuing a Homecoming Week tradition started in 1963, Chancellor Gordon Gee and Nashville Vanderbilt Club President Lynn May, presented the 2001 Chancellor's Cup award to Associate Professor of Astronomy David A. Weintraub in a surprise ceremony Oct. 10.

"This award is Vanderbilt's way of honoring the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution outside the classroom to undergraduate student-faculty relationships in the recent past," said Gee.

Unrehearsed, the well-planned event took place in front of the 34 students present in the startled professor's "Theories of the Universe" class.

"In addition to the heart attack brought on by this surprise visit," said Gee, "Dr. Weintraub receives a cash prize of $2,500 contributed by the Nashville Vanderbilt Club." The award also includes an engraved pewter cup that the recipient gets to keep, and one year's custody of the silver bowl by Tiffany bearing the names of all of the Chancellor's Cup recipients since 1963.

"You all know first hand the quality of scholarship and his commitment to his students," said Gee. "But in the spirit of thoroughly embarrassing him, let me extol his virtues for just a moment."

Some of Weintraub's contributions cited by the Chancellor were the more than 40 grants he has received, his 50 juried publications, 13 different undergraduate and five different graduate courses taught so far. He has served on numerous University committees, participated in innumerable residence hall programs and Project Dialogue, hosted comet nights at the Dyer Observatory and organized last spring's fire walk on Ambassador Lawn.

Among those in the large delegation joining the Chancellor to honor Weintraub were Provost Thomas G. Burish, College of Arts and Science Dean Richard McCarty, Physics and Astronomy Chair Richard Haglund along with many of Weintraub's peers from the Physics and Astronomy Department.

Burish described Weintraub as "the quintessential balanced professor both in and out of the classroom."

Acknowledging the show of support from Weintraub's peers, Haglund said, "See, physicists do come out of their holes every now and then. They don't often take a break from research, even for wives and family, so this is obviously a great honor for our department."

"In honor of all of the things you have done for Vanderbilt University in your 10 years here," concluded Gee, "congratulations for winning the 2001 Chancellor's Cup." Students seemed particularly pleased when the Chancellor then pulled rank to release class several minutes early for a celebration on the patio in front of Wilson Hall.

To honor the recipient's field of study, the decorations included balloons in the shape of a large golden half moon surrounded by silver stars. Soft drinks and 100 pieces of the star-shaped cake were passed out to students and faculty who joined in the celebration.

"I am quite flattered," said Weintraub in between handshakes. "It's an honor to be in the great company of those on this cup."

The reception took place in the shadow of a three-story balloon draped with the announcement of Weintraub's honor.