Chancellor Gordon Gee presents Ellen Fanning, the Stevenson Professor of Biological Sciences, the 2005-06 Chancellor’s Cup during a surprise ceremony Oct. 11 at the Biological Sciences Building.

by Kara Furlong

The Chancellor’s Cup for contributing to good relations between faculty and undergraduates was awarded to Ellen Fanning, the Stevenson Professor of Biological Sciences, during a surprise ceremony.

“You all know Dr. Fanning as a brilliant researcher and teacher,” said Chancellor Gordon Gee in making the presentation on Oct. 11. “She has also made an enormous difference in the quality of life of undergraduate education.”

Gee presented Fanning with a cash prize of $2,500 contributed by the Nashville Vanderbilt Club and an engraved pewter julep cup. Fanning also will have custody for the next year of the silver bowl bearing all the names of the Chancellor’s Cup recipients since 1963.

Moments before making the presentation, Gee and a group of administrators retrieved Fanning from class, where she was teaching an undergraduate seminar. Fanning was led to a reception in the Biological Sciences Building lobby, where a group of around 50 students, colleagues and administrators were waiting.

“All of these folks are here to recognize you and lay claim to the character of your work,” Gee said. Added Nicholas Zeppos, vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, “Ellen embodies the prize in every way, and it’s well deserved.”

College of Arts and Science Dean Richard McCarty, Associate Provost for Faculty Tim McNamara, Biological Sciences Chair Charles Singleton and Theo Morrison, president of the Nashville Vanderbilt Club, also were on hand for the celebration.

Established as a homecoming tradition by the Nashville Vanderbilt Club in 1963, the Chancellor’s Cup is given annually to a full-time faculty member for “the greatest contribution outside the classroom to undergraduate student-faculty relationships.”

“I’m flabbergasted – and I thank you very much,” said Fanning of the honor. “I can’t imagine how much work went into this behind my back.”

Posted 10/17/05