Briefly Speaking

Faculty to debut symphony at TPAC

A symphony, "Paths of Peace," by Michael Alec Rose, associate professor of composition at the Blair School of Music, will be performed by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. in the James K. Polk Theater of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The work was commissioned jointly by the Nashville Symphony and Symposium 2000, which celebrates the life and work of Albert Schweitzer. Faculty and staff are eligible for discounts to the concert. Tickets may be purchased by calling 252-4600 or through TicketMaster.

Earley reads from first novel at festival

Tony Earley, assistant professor of English, will read from his acclaimed novel, Jim the Boy Saturday, Oct. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. as part of the 12th annual Southern Festival of Books. Approximately 200 adult and children's authors will participate in the event, held Oct. 13-15, at the War Memorial Plaza in downtown Nashville. For more information, visit www.tn-humanities.org.

Author postpones lecture appearance

Acclaimed author William Styron postponed his speaking engagement slated for Friday, Oct. 13 at the "Robert Penn Warren Lecture on Southern Letters" at the Sheraton Downtown Nashville due to an illness. The annual lecture, sponsored by the Tennessee Humanities Council and the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities at Vanderbilt, will be rescheduled for spring 2001.

Scholar to speak at Cole Lectures

Marcus J. Borg, Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture in the Philosophy Department of Oregon State University, will be the featured speaker at the 2000 Cole Lectures, Oct. 12-13. Borg is the author of 10 books and has been described by The New York Times as "a leading figure among the new generation of Jesus scholars." "Jesus Today: The Legacy of Albert Schweitzer" will be his topic Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. in Benton Chapel. Borg will speak on "The Battle Over Jesus Today" Friday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. in Benton Chapel.

Expert to discuss genetics and IQ

Robert Plomin, one of the world's leading figures in behavior genetics, will speak at a free public lecture Thursday, Oct. 12, at the John F. Kennedy Center. Plomin's talk, "Genetics and Intelligence," is scheduled at 4 p.m. in Room 241 of the MRL Building on Vanderbilt's Peabody campus. Plomin is MRC Research Professor in Behavioral Genetics, and deputy director of Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre at the University of London's Institute of Psychiatry. The lecture is co-sponsored by the Kennedy Center, the Developmental Psycholopathology Training Program and Peabody College. For more information, call 322-8240.

New director of Surgical Sciences named

Dr. R. Daniel Beauchamp, holder of the John L. Sawyers Chair in Surgery, recently was named director of the Section of Surgical Sciences, said Dr. John E. Chapman, dean of the School of Medicine. Beauchamp succeeds Dr. James A. O'Neill Jr., the John Clinton Foshee Distinguished Chair in Surgery, who is retiring as head of the section. The transition will become official June 30, 2001. "Dan is an excellent clinician and surgeon, a superb teacher, and a national and international leader in the field of cancer research. I don't think there is anyone in academic surgery who is more qualified to lead the Vanderbilt Section of Surgical Sciences to the next level," said Dr. Harry Jacobson, vice chancellor for health affairs.

Same-sex domestic partners gain benefits

Vanderbilt extends health benefits to same-sex domestic partners who have certified their relationship. However, many will want to exercise this privilege for other insurance coverage, as well as PERQS, access to the libraries, the Student Recreation Center, discounts for tickets and bookstore purchases, and family IDs. The registration process begins with an appointment with the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resource Services. Please review the domestic partner policy on the HRS Web page at www.vanderbilt.edu/HRS/hrs.htm. Meetings can be arranged by calling 322-8322.

Kaplan and Career Center host seminar

Kaplan, Inc. and the Vanderbilt Career Center are holding a free informational seminar for Nashville area residents on applying to business school and taking the Graduate Management Admissions Test. The seminar is designed to demystify the GMAT and to provide applicants with effective strategies for assembling a solid admissions package. The event will be held at 201 Alumni Hall, Oct. 10, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. To find out more or to reserve a seat, call 1-800-KAP-TEST.

Public forum for Davidson County

Davidson County residents are invited to participate in a public forum on schools Thursday, Oct. 12, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Nashville Convention Center Ballroom. Metro's Internal Audit office has hired MGT of America to conduct an audit of Nashville's public school system. Participants will be able to post comments in writing and review comments made by others, and MGT representatives will be on hand for discussion. To provide input remotely, visit www.nashville.org.

Talavera named SEC player of the week

Jen Talavera was recently named SEC Women's Soccer Player of the Week. Talavera is the first Commodore to earn such honors since Lauren Whitt in 1998.