FEBRUARY 2009

Vanderbilt named one of Fortune's 100 best places to work

Vanderbilt has been named one of the top 100 best places to work in the United States in Fortune magazine's annual survey—the first educational institution to ever be named to the list. » Full Story

Children's Hospital ranked 15th

The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt has been ranked No. 15 on a listing of best children's hospitals in the United States by Parents magazine, the third national accolade earned by the hospital this year. » Full Story

College of Arts and Science alumnus to appear on Survivor

Entrepreneur Brendan Synott, BA'00, who at 23 co-founded Bear Naked all-natural food company, will be competing on the reality TV show Survivor. » Full Story

Focus on the inauguration

Historic inauguration marked by several events on campus

Vanderbilt hosted several events to mark the inauguration of President Barack Obama. » Full Story

Obama presidency signals new era for American identity

America's struggle over competing visions of nationhood involving race is a giant step closer to resolution, says Vanderbilt historian Gary Gerstle. » Full Story

'The Obama Effect' on test-taking performance

New research by Owen professor Ray Friedman finds that Obama's presidential run has had a positive impact on the test-taking achievement of African Americans. » Full Story

Unifying rhetoric key to inaugural

Obama used rhetoric to bring the nation together at his inauguration, says Vanessa Beasley, an associate professor of communication studies. » Full Story

Don't miss out: Journey to South Africa with Vice Chancellor David Williams

Discover South Africa's diverse cities and exotic wildlife with Vice Chancellor David Williams from May 9 to 18. Visit Cape Town, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, as well as Nelson Mandela's home in Soweto and Robben Island, where he was imprisoned. The trip is co-sponsored by the Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni. Contact the Vanderbilt Travel Program at 615/322-2929 with questions or view the brochure.

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

Scholar of Islam awarded third major book prize

Vanderbilt Associate Professor of History Leor Halevi has received the 2008 Ralph Waldo Emerson Award for Muhammad's Grave: Death Rites and the Making of Islamic Society. » Full Story

Mandolin Professor Butch Baldassari dies

Mandolin Professor Butch Baldassari dies Butch Baldassari, a Blair School of Music professor who created a cottage industry around his love of mandolin music, died Jan. 10 at a Nashville hospice. He was 56. » Full Story

Community Giving Campaign raises more than $1 million

For the third straight year, the annual Vanderbilt Community Giving Campaign raised more than $1 million for community agencies, surpassing the goal of $900,000. » Full Story

Campus recognized for 'green' buildings

Vanderbilt continues to go for the gold with its latest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification of three new residence halls, bringing the total to seven LEED-certified buildings at The Commons. » Full Story

Library makes Robert Penn Warren interviews accessible

For the first time, anyone with access to the Internet can hear tapes of Robert Penn Warren's 1964 interviews with prominent Civil Rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and the Rev. James Lawson. The digitized audio as well as transcripts for most of the interviews can be found online.

Robot powers new kidney cancer surgery

Dr. S. Duke Herrell, associate professor of urologic surgery at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, has performed the first robotic laparoscopic kidney cancer surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. » Full Story

New associate vice chancellor to oversee alumni outreach

James E. Stofan, a leading alumni relations professional in higher education, has been named associate vice chancellor of alumni relations at Vanderbilt. Stofan, who most recently directed alumni relations for the University of California system, will oversee Vanderbilt's alumni relations program and outreach to Vanderbilt's 121,000 alumni as well as the reunion program. » Full Story

Dave Matthews Band coming to Vanderbilt Stadium

The Dave Matthews Band is coming to Vanderbilt Stadium for a concert April 25. Tickets are available online.

Saturday University begins Feb. 7

Vanderbilt University experts on various aspects of the environment, energy and sustainability will share insights during Saturday University, a six-part spring lecture series open to the general public. Cost to attend the six lectures is $99. Register online.

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
Austin, Texas
Birmingham, Ala.
Chicago
Columbus, Ohio
Dallas

Denver
Houston
Jackson, Miss.
London
Nashville
Nashville AVBA

New York City
Philadelphia
San Diego
San Francisco
St. Louis
Washington, D.C.

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

Ways to give back to your Alumni Association

You're automatically a member of the Alumni Association, so why not become a Sustaining Member? Your gift directly supports Alumni Association programs, including chapter events, student recruitment, online services and more. Graduates of the last 10 years and alumni couples receive a discount rate. To become a lifetime or annual Sustaining Member, contact the Office of Alumni Relations or join online and select Alumni Association Sustaining Membership under Area I would like to support.

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Vanderbilt in the News

Grab the remote, the doctor's in

New York Times—Former Bachelor star Travis Stork, who completed his residency at Vanderbilt, and the three other physicians who are hosts on The Doctors cheerfully discuss blush-inducing sexual problems and questions on daytime television. » Full Story

'Warm plasma cloak' envelops earth

National Geographic News—Earth is dressed in layers that protect it from the sun's fierce winds, and a team of scientists led by Vanderbilt physicist Rick Chappell have identified a new one they call a "warm plasma cloak." » Full Story

Anti-smoking advocate is named to health post

New York Times—President Barack Obama has chosen William Corr, a Vanderbilt Law School alumnus and executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, to be the No. 2 official at the Department of Health and Human Services. » Full Story

Titans cheerleader is Vanderbilt researcher

Deadspin—Melissa Hodges is not only a Tennessee Titans cheerleader, but she's also a full-time molecular neuroscience researcher at Vanderbilt. The 23-year-old New Orleans native recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Vanderbilt and is working toward a career in medicine. She's been a Titans cheerleader for three years. » Full Story

Evidence of 'risk-taking' brain

BBC News—Scientists say they have found physical evidence of brain differences which may drive thrill-seekers to act impulsively or dangerously. A small study from Vanderbilt found the biggest risk-takers processed a brain reward chemical dopamine differently. Listen to a podcast featuring Associate Professor of Psychology David Zald. » Full Story

Sports News

Nominations being accepted for Athletic Hall of Fame

Vanderbilt is accepting applications for the 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame class. Fans and friends of the varsity athletic program are invited to nominate their favorite all-time Commodores. » Full Story

Vanderbilt attraction grows for football recruits

Chattanooga Times Free Press—Vanderbilt football coach Bobby Johnson is selling the Commodores' winning football season and Music City Bowl victory to high school prospects and getting good results as the signing date approaches. » Full Story

Johnson receives coaching honors

Knoxville News-Sentinel— Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson, who guided his team to national attention and a long-awaited winning season, was named the Coach of the Year in the state by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association. Johnson was also recently elected to the board of trustees of the American Football Coaches Association. » Full Story

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