Alumni eXclusive FEATURE STORY

Alumni entrepreneur panels, networking, educational events a growing trend
More and more, Vanderbilt alumni are participating in entrepreneur panel discussions, networking events and continuing educational opportunities. To participate in a similar event, contact alumni@vanderbilt.edu.

• The Metro New York chapter hosted an entrepreneurship panel including Carlos Carela, BS'99; Steve Herz, JD'91; Marcia Sherrill, BA'82; and Andrew Stern, BA'93. The panel was moderated by a professor from Vanderbilt's Owen School of Management.
• The Washington D.C. chapter and Vanderbilt Career Center co-hosted a dinner and panel discussion on "Professionals in Politics, Public Policy and Law" featuring panelists David Boaz, BA'75, and Russell Smith, BA'68.
• The Philadelphia chapter hosted a "smart networking" event with panelists Audrey Talley, BA'73; Elizabeth Steele, BE'91; Laurent Chardonnet, MBA'97; and Jason Aulakh, MBA'07.
• The Atlanta chapter launched a monthly networking breakfast/speaker series allowing alumni of all ages to connect with fellow alumni on a timely topic. Read more about recent topics and speakers.
  
  

Alumni making headlines

Vanderbilt alumnus now president of GM North America, continues positive outlook
Mark Reuss, BE'86, was named president of GM North America in December and continues to see a ray of hope for the company. Read more »

For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots
Richard Hull, BA'92, was executive producer of this documentary telling stories of the sacrifices and accomplishments of African American servicemen and women from the Revolutionary War to the inauguration of Barack Obama. Read more »

Congratulations to Vanderbilt alumna Rear Adm. Nora Tyson
Congratulations to U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Nora Tyson, BA'79, for taking over command of the 7th Fleet and continuing a long and distinguished naval career including executive assistant to the chief of naval operations and political military planner for the naval Joint Chiefs of Staff. Best wishes in Singapore!
Photo Credit: U.S. Navy

Alumni with common interests connect online and in person
NEW Vanderbilt alumni men's lacrosse group shares their connections and experiences on Facebook. To connect with your own interest group, contact robin.dunn@vanderbilt.edu.

AVBA explores opportunities for black students and alumni to connect
Coming off the success of the 25th anniversary celebration, the Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni (AVBA) formed a steering committee to explore opportunities for black students and alumni to connect in meaningful ways. The committee will analyze results of a recent student/alumni survey conducted by the Office of Strategic Initiatives and provide formal recommendations in the coming months. The AVBA seeks to provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to connect with black alumni for networking and professional mentoring and to improve collaboration with campus partners.

Nashville alumni and students with common interests get together
Through Dores Across Nashville, Vanderbilt alumni and current students with common interests get together over a meal at the homes of Nashville-area alumni.

• Alumni of the Hustler connected with current Hustler student contributors in the Nashville home of Mitch Light, BA'93.
• Alumni of ROTC connected with current ROTC students in the Nashville home of Ross, BA'68, and Suzanne Rainwater. Ross said, "I'd be hard-pressed to imagine a more polite, articulate, friendly, and outgoing group than these great young adults, who, with their commitment via ROTC to their country, are now my new heroes." Read more »

	Last chance! Enter to win a kindle. Register or update your existing VUconnect profile by May 1 and be entered to win a Kindle! Get connected across the country and around the world with alumni, students and friends. Build alumni networking relationships, search for and share career advice, reconnect with old friends and find Vanderbilt chapter events in more than 40 cities.

Opening Dores dinners bring students together with alumni for career advice
During the spring semester, the Vanderbilt Alumni Association held 10 Opening Dores dinners on campus. These informal dinners connect students and alumni with common majors or career interests.

Recent Opening Dores topics included IT, marketing, real estate, government and policy, nonprofit, and one with alumni pursuing nontraditional careers. In an exclusive opportunity, first-year students were invited to the dean's residence on The Commons for a networking dinner designed specifically for their class. Nashville-area alumni interested in participating should contact kate.stuart@vanderbilt.edu.

Young Alumni Trustee Class of 2010 nomination made
In 1968, Vanderbilt became the first university to start the Young Alumni Trustee (YAT) tradition. The YAT is a graduating senior elected by peers to serve a four-year term on Vanderbilt's Board of Trust as a full-voting member. YATs provide perspective relating to young alumni and current students. This March, Wyatt Smith was elected as the 2010 Young Alumni Trustee. Read more »

Vanderbilt chapters

Second New Orleans scholarship dinner held March 23
The New Orleans Vanderbilt Chapter scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from the greater New Orleans area. These scholarships are intended to make the lifelong benefits of a Vanderbilt education available to the very best, brightest and most deserving young students, regardless of economic circumstances. Read more »

Alumni career workshops planned for six cities across the U.S.
To meet growing demand, six more Vanderbilt Alumni Association Career Moves workshops will be held this spring. In the workshops, local career consultants lead sessions on career coaching and recruiting, networking and online and social media strategies. Read more »

	Vanderbilt alumni help promote Haitian benefit concert Shown here are Haitian-American artist Daniel Bernard Roumain, BMUS'93 (center) with Fred Henley, JD'89, and Shelli Neal, BA'92. Photo Credit: Kristina Bowman

Vanderbilt Travel Program

Alumni travel to Antarctica
In January, Vanderbilt travelers aboard an expedition cruise ship spent 13 days exploring the breathtaking wilderness of Antarctica. They saw panoramic views of jagged, snowcapped mountain ranges, calving icebergs and blue glaciers. The cruise ship offered a fleet of Zodiac inflatable watercrafts for forays ashore to explore penguin rookeries and meet with research scientists.

According to Professor Molly Miller, faculty guide and lecturer aboard the ship: "There is no other place like it [Antarctica] on this earth and people who are fortunate enough to be able to take this trip will remember it for a lifetime."

For more of Miller's interview with Alumni eXclusive, visit the alumni travel page.


Bookmark www.vandytravelblog.blogspot.com and visit often.

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Alumni eXclusive is published quarterly by Vanderbilt University Office of Alumni Relations
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Phone: (615) 322-2929 • Editors: Beth Dodd, BA'88, MBA'91, and Emily Hoener