Vanderbilt alumnus and board member to lead Shape the Future campaign

H. Rodes Hart, a Vanderbilt alumnus and Board of Trust member who, for nearly three decades, has provided strong volunteer leadership for university initiatives, will succeed the late Monroe Carell Jr. as chairman of Shape the Future, the university's comprehensive campaign. Shape the Future has an overall goal of $1.75 billion, making it the most ambitious campaign in the university's history. » Full Story

Vanderbilt expands financial aid to offer greater access

Vanderbilt University's seven-year initiative to reduce students' education-related debt will take a bold step forward in fall 2009 when the university replaces all need-based undergraduate student loans with Vanderbilt grant and scholarship assistance. Watch this VUCast video about Vanderbilt's expanded aid initiative.  » Full Story

Balser named dean of School of Medicine

Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for Research for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been named dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Balser has served as interim dean since July 2008. » Full Story

College GameDay visits; VU ranks 22nd

The Vanderbilt-Auburn game was nationally televised by ESPN, which brought its highly popular GameDay show to The Commons area of campus. The Commodores won the game and vaulted to 13th nationally in the AP poll with a 5-0 record. Vanderbilt lost to Mississippi State last weekend but is still nationally ranked at No. 22 for the fourth straight week. » Full Story

Carell family announces $20 million gift

Three generations of the family of the late Monroe Carell Jr. have pledged a gift of $20 million towards a new facility to care for children and mothers. The Campaign for Children and Mothers, with a goal of $45 million, will support the building of a 400,000-square-foot facility, slated to open in 2012, adjacent to and connected with the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. » Full Story

Alumni volunteers needed to recruit students

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Office of Alumni Relations seek enthusiastic Vanderbilt alumni to volunteer as alumni interviewers, recruiters and speakers as part of the Commodore Recruitment Programs (CoRPs). Learn more and volunteer at the Commodore Recruitment Programs Web site

News from
Alumni Relations

Registration deadline is Oct. 17 for Reunion / Homecoming 2008

The Reunion registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 17. Register online now. Visit your class Web site, find out who's coming and see the schedule of events.

Not your Reunion year? Don't miss out on a great Homecoming tailgate

All alumni are invited to the Homecoming tailgate before the Duke football game on Saturday, Oct. 25. Register online, e-mail or call 615/322-2929.

Blogging Reunion 2008

Check out the Reunion class blogs.

Find Vanderbilt events at a Chapter near you

Connect with fellow Vanderbilt alumni and friends at Chapter events in your area. Cities with upcoming Chapter events include:

Check the current calendar for all events planned in your area; new events are always being added.

Join us on the Commodore Tailgate Tour

The Vanderbilt Alumni Association and National Commodore Club are sponsoring a pre-game tailgate party Saturday, Nov. 15, at the University of Kentucky. Register here and get the latest information. Be sure to mark your calendars now for the Homecoming tailgate and game on Oct. 25 versus Duke.

Travel with Vanderbilt
in 2009

From the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Horn, from Canada's St. Lawrence Seaway to the coast of Turkey, the Vanderbilt Travel Program offers something for everyone. Contact us by e-mail or phone 615/322-2929.

VU + iTunes = iTunesU

Download coursework, lectures, news, music, sports, special events and more. Play on your iPod, Mac or PC, or burn a CD. Explore a world of knowledge at Vanderbilt. » Full Story

From the Campus

Panel of survivors highlights 2008 Vanderbilt Holocaust Lecture Series

A panel discussion by Vanderbilt alumni who survived the Holocaust will highlight the 31st Annual Vanderbilt Holocaust Lecture Series in November. The idea for the panel discussion, set for 6 p.m. on Nov. 9 in The Commons Center Multipurpose Room, originated from a feature article inVanderbilt Magazine. The event is co-sponsored by the Nashville Vanderbilt Chapter and Vanderbilt Magazine. » Full Story

Record crowd attends Family Weekend

A record crowd of more than 3,400 parents, families and students turned out for Family Weekend Oct. 3-5. They attended campus tours, lectures, receptions, a pre-game tailgate and a breakfast. They also heard from Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos and met with deans and faculty members. If you attended Family Weekend, please take time to fill out this online evaluation.

Professor reviews best state financial aid policies

The best state financial aid policies focus on students who would not otherwise go to college and make aid simple to apply for and keep, according to a new review by Vanderbilt University higher education researcher William Doyle. The review also has implications for federal financial aid policies. » Full Story

Alumnus Blount to present campus lecture

Roy Blount Jr., acclaimed author, humorist and Vanderbilt alumnus (BA'63) will present this year's Harry C. Howard Jr. lecture at 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, in Flynn Auditorium at the Vanderbilt University Law School. A book signing and reception will follow Blount's lecture. » Full Story

vanderbilt.media

VUCast Extra:
Go Dores!

Law professor gives inside look into Saddam Hussein trial

Google shows Vanderbilt its newest applications

Learn more about Vanderbilt's new Expanded Aid program

Elimination of athletic department spurs successes at Vanderbilt

The New York Times—Vanderbilt's decision to fold athletics into the division of student life has brought surprising success to the university's sports programs. The story was originally covered by the Associated Press. » Full Story

Men's, women's basketball schedules released

The 2008-09 Vanderbilt men's and women's basketball schedules have been released. The men's schedule features 17 regular season home games at Memorial Gym, to go along with six national-televised games, a first for the Commodore program. The women's schedule includes a total of 11 games against teams that made the 2008 NCAA Tournament and at least four national television appearances.

quicklinks

vu home | alumni | bookstore | athletics | jobs | admissions | news | calendar | giving | .commodore

Have something to say about what you read here? Send us an e-mail.

.commodore is published monthly by Vanderbilt University Development and Alumni Relations Communications
· PMB 407703, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7703 ·
phone: 615/322-2601 · fax: 615/343-8547 · Editor: Lew Harris, BA'68