Some thought Jessica Miles was making a mistake. Why would the Louisville, Ky., student who excelled in the sciences attend the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt rather than a science or technology institute? But it made perfect sense to Miles and to Vanderbilt: Learning how to communicate scientific ideas meant she needed to study both science and the humanities.
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Dean Carolyn Dever says that when she talks to alumni of the College of Arts and Science, she’s always inspired by how many have found success by being open to opportunities and the unexpected.
The new dean has done that herself.
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Molly Miller makes Earth science come alive, even in the coldest spot on the planet.
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There is no greater challenge facing the United States than health care: the provision of affordable, high quality medical attention to every person, and the establishment of a health care system that ensures equity of access and the integrity of new discovery for all time.
Read more »Imagine if the definition of a liberal arts education were to change. What if one of its disciplines—the humanities, natural sciences or social sciences—were to be eliminated? Which one should it be? What if we forced the disciplines themselves to debate and prove each deserved to be taught?
The first time I stepped foot in Tennessee was August 2007, a week before classes started. I arrived at the Nashville Airport armed with two suitcase, a backpack, appliances pre-ordered online from Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond, and an interest in American political science.
Where Dreams Can Flourish Graduate student Manoj K. Dora was born in a poor village where people die of starvation and people sell their children for a meal. In this squalor, he dreamed of helping families launch small businesses to provide for their needs. Today, enrolled in Vanderbilt’s Graduate Program in Economic Development (GPED), his dream seems possible.
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Driving Dreams I had almost forgotten Furman Hall. Almost. And I had almost forgotten the painful experience of earning a D in Econ 100 in that very building. As a Vanderbilt freshman 26 years ago, I hated Furman Hall. Yet there I was, walking past Furman to go speak to undergraduates about my career since graduation.
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Broadly Concentrated Sociology department builds on existing strengths in key areas. Sometimes new leaders make their mark on an organization by changing everything. Fortunately for the Department of Sociology, new chair Katharine Donato doesn’t hold that philosophy. Instead Donato is building on the strengths of the programs in place to generate growth.
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Five Minutes With … Malah Tidwell Nashville and Vanderbilt benefitted when Malah Tidwell returned to her hometown nine years ago. An administrative assistant with the College of Arts and Science’s development and alumni relations office, she takes care of alumni, students and colleagues with a loving hand. “Malah is the heart and soul of the Arts and Science development team,” says Jonathan Petty, associate dean for development and alumni relations.
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Students told Susan Ford Wiltshire, professor of classics, that they wanted to know the world beyond campus. Wiltshire suggested that they launch a spring break program of community service to discover different cultures, places and social issues. She had no takers that first year.
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The Blue Star by Tony Earley, Samuel Milton Fleming Associate Professor of English, was recognized by The New York Times Book Review as one of the “100 Notable Books of 2008.” USA Today named it one of the top 10 books of 2008.
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Rocky Alvey (right), observatory manager of Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, discusses the operation of Dyer’s 24-inch telescope with first-year students from The Commons.
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