Poet Rick Hilles, assistant professor of English, received a 2008 Whiting Writers’ Award from the New York-based Mrs. Giles Whiting Foundation. The prestigious awards are presented to “writers of exceptional talent and promise in early career.”

We’re the best—but don’t take our word for it. In the past few months, Vanderbilt has received a variety of honors.

The College of Arts and Science expresses its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Rev. Frederick Schneider, professor of history, emeritus. Schneider, a beloved member of the faculty from 1955 through his retirement in 1986, died in December at the age of 87.

 
Two long-time Arts and Science faculty, M. Donald Hancock, professor of political science, and William P. Smith, professor of psychology, received emeritus status during the May 2009 Commencement ceremonies. 
Hancock, who joined Vanderbilt in 1979, specializes in the politics of Western Europe and comparative European politics. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas [...]

Fans of CBS’s reality TV show Survivor: Tocantins may have recognized a familiar face among the castaways marooned in the rugged Brazilian Highlands. Arts and Science alumnus Brendan Synnott, BA’00, was one of the show’s contestants trying to outwit, outplay and outlast the others.

In a historic move that strengthens its dedication to accessibility and affordability, Vanderbilt announced last month that it will eliminate need-based loans from financial aid packages offered to eligible undergraduates. Starting in fall 2009, the amount of need-based loans normally included in undergraduate financial aid awards for new and returning students will be replaced with [...]

If the campuses in Billy: The Early Years or Hannah Montana: The Movie look familiar, it’s because both theatrical-release films shot scenes on the Vanderbilt campus. In the feature about evangelist Billy Graham, the campus stood in for Northwestern Bible College, Wheaton College and even Princeton. Vanderbilt staff and locals in 1940s period dress were [...]

Packed with interesting people exploring interesting ideas, the Vanderbilt campus has long been a creative place. Thanks to the vision and support of recording industry executive Mike Curb, that creativity now has a center. The university recently announced the establishment of The Mike Curb Creative Campus Program, administered by the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise [...]

The College of Arts and Science and the entire Vanderbilt community mourn the loss of anthropology professor Pierre Colas, 32, and his sister, Marie Colas, 27. The pair was shot during an apparent robbery at Pierre Colas’ home in East Nashville on August 26, 2008.
Pierre Robert Colas joined the College of Arts and Science in [...]

Of all the universities in America, Vanderbilt University is ranked No. 18 according to U.S. News & World Report. That rank is up one position from last year.  
Among national universities in the Great Schools, Great Prices category, Vanderbilt was ranked No. 14, marking it as a good value for its tuition costs. The magazine [...]