APRIL 2009

Jacobson to retire as leader of Vanderbilt Medical Center

Dr. Harry R. Jacobson will retire as vice chancellor for health affairs at Vanderbilt University on June 1, and Dr. Jeffrey Balser, dean of the School of Medicine, will succeed him. » Full Story

Doris Kearns Goodwin to speak on Senior Day

Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will receive Vanderbilt's prestigious Nichols-Chancellor's Medal on May 7, when she will address graduating seniors and their families during Senior Day. » Full Story

Vanderbilt partners with Meharry on new health care policy center

Vanderbilt will partner with Meharry Medical College to launch a new Meharry center designed to engage more minorities in health care policy. » Full Story

Commodore women cap impressive season with Sweet 16 appearance

The Vanderbilt women's basketball team, which had defeated Auburn to win the SEC tournament championship on March 8, won its first two games of the NCAA tournament before falling to No. 1 seed Maryland in the Sweet 16. Vanderbilt was one of only 14 teams in the NCAA tournament with a perfect graduation rate. » Full Story

News from
Alumni Relations

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:

Atlanta
Birmingham, Ala.
Chicago
Cleveland
Houston
Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas
Nashville
New York City

Palm Beach, Fla.
Philadelphia
Phoenix
San Diego
San Francisco
Southwest Florida
St. Louis
Washington, D.C.

View the current calendar of events planned in your area, and check back frequently.

Share your opinions in upcoming online survey

Help us do the best possible job serving you by sharing your valuable opinions. All alumni who have provided e-mail addresses will receive an online survey later this month. Add or update your address by sending us an e-mail. Your opinions matter! Thanks in advance for your participation.

Ositelu selected as young alumni trustee

An engineering and mathematics double major has been selected as the next young alumni trustee on the Board of Trust. Ayo Ositelu, a senior from Indianapolis, is a Chancellor's Scholar and has served as president of the African Students Union and regional academic excellence chair for the National Society of Black Engineers. » Full Story

Vanderbilt & You programs taking place this month

More than 40 cities will host Vanderbilt & You programs for admitted students and their families in April. Alumni and Vanderbilt admissions representatives will answer questions and provide insight about the university and life on campus. For more information, visit your local chapter's Web page.

It's never too late to get a class ring

To purchase a ring for yourself or as a gift for your graduating senior, contact Balfour Rings or visit the Vanderbilt Bookstore.

Discover the ancient wonders of the Mediterranean

Cruise the Mediterranean from Nice, France, to Istanbul Sept. 11–21. Tracy Barrett, senior lecturer in Italian, will be your faculty guide as you explore the coasts of Italy, Sicily, Greece and Turkey. Contact the Vanderbilt Travel Program at 615/322-2929 with questions, or see the trip brochure.

Every day, every year, Vanderbilt reaches new levels of success thanks to gifts from alumni, parents and friends. Please consider making your online gift now.

From the Campus

Vanderbilt scientists invent world's smallest periscopes

A team of Vanderbilt scientists has invented the world's smallest version of the periscope and is using it to look at cells and other micro-organisms from several sides at once. » Full Story

Match Day marks culmination of job search for med students

On March 19, the 103 graduating students at the School of Medicine celebrated Match Day—the day when all U.S. medical school graduates find out where they will do their residency training. » Full Story

Dyer to participate in global astronomy project

Vanderbilt's Dyer Observatory will participate in the global “100 Hours of Astronomy Cornerstone Project” by offering people a chance to view the stars on Saturday, April 4. Reservations are required. » Full Story

Rubin steps down as dean of law school

Edward L. Rubin announced that he is stepping down from his position as dean of Vanderbilt Law School effective June 30. He will remain a member of the law school faculty. » Full Story

Vanderbilt sees decrease in campus crime

Vanderbilt experienced a decrease in crime in 2008 according to figures compiled by the Vanderbilt Police Department for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's annual Crime on Campus report. » Full Story

Owen professor provides keys to fixing health care

The keys to fixing the U.S. health care system are to hold people accountable for their actions, treat health insurance like auto insurance, and tax individual health care benefits, says Larry Van Horn, associate professor of management. » Full Story

vanderbilt.media
VUCast: Calling all robots and bricks for a good cause	The law market: Shopping for legal systems that benefit you the most	Concert ticket costs and political 'pork' in this week's VUCast

Reunion'09 Class Web sites:
1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, Quinqs

Vanderbilt in the News

Autism may be tied to digestive problems

The Tennessean—A Vanderbilt Medical Center study says the same gene may be responsible for both autism and gastrointestinal disorders, turning attention to the physical discomfort many children with autism suffer. » Full Story

Housework hurts women's and men's earnings

Newswise—New research by Joni Hersch, professor of law and economics, finds that housework not only reduces the salaries of women, but also affects some men's wages. » Full Story

President's cabinet secretaries control the pork

Post Politics—Research by Christian Grose, assistant professor of political science, reveals that the president's cabinet secretaries make decisions that affect which states receive federal grants and which don't. » Full Story

Alumnus named cybersecurity leader

Information Week—Vanderbilt alumnus and former Microsoft security strategist Phil Reitinger has been appointed deputy undersecretary of the National Protection and Programs Directorate. He is charged with protecting the federal government's computers and networks from cyber attacks. » Full Story

New compensation plan proposed for teachers

Christian Science Monitor—One thing holding the teaching profession back is its vastly outdated pay system, say proponents of new compensation plans. Matthew Springer, director of the National Center on Performance Incentives, is quoted. » Full Story

Sports News

Johnson, Foster receive honors

Head Coach Bobby Johnson and former Commodore basketball standout Shan Foster were among the top award recipients at the 11th annual O'Charley's Dinner of Champions held March 2. » Full Story

Risper loves defense

Jen Risper, a 5-foot-8-inch senior on the Vanderbilt women's basketball team and Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, welcomes the challenge of defending much larger opponents. » Full Story

Bowlers to compete for NCAA Championship

The top-ranked Vanderbilt women's bowling team leads the field of eight schools competing for the 2009 NCAA Bowling Championship in Detroit April 9–11. » Full Story

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

Pave the way with
your own brick

Vanderbilt fans can now purchase personalized bricks to be installed in two beautiful walkways leading to the newly renovated east and west gates at Vanderbilt Stadium. » Build your brick

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News from Alumni Relations