Student-Athletes of the Month
*The Student-Athletes of the Month are selected on the basis of the all-around student-athlete...effort and excellence in academics, leadership, integrity, dedication to team, campus involvement, community service, and the ability to serve as role models for current and future VU students and student-athletes.
January 2008
Alex Gordon - Men's Basketball
Senior, Major: Human and Organizational Development
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 I came to Vanderbilt to compete against the elite both in the classroom and on the basketball court.
What are your career goals?
My career goals are to play basketball professionally and to pursue entrepreneurship.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
I have learned that it is very important to have great time management and great study skills.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I often use my planner. I write down the due dates of all my papers, homework assignments, and exams at the beginning of the semester. This way I can see what is due and how long I have to prepare for it. I also keep track of our travel dates, game dates, and practice times.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
I wake up a little earlier, take a hot shower, eat breakfast, and look over my notes again.
What is your favorite quote?
"Just because it has not been done, doesn't mean it can not be done." --Pat Tillman
Why Alex is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Alex Gordon has exhibited hard work since coming to Vanderbilt. Alex's commitment toward his academic responsibilities has steadily improved. Because of this, he has excelled tremendously over the last three semesters. During his career at Vanderbilt, Alex has overcome many obstacles, both athletically and academically. However, he has developed the perseverance and dedication needed to excel not only here at Vanderbilt, but in the game of life. There is no question that he has a burning desire to excel in everything he tries to do. With graduation coming in May and the continued success as a team captain with our Men's Basketball Program, I look forward to seeing him accomplish his goals. --Neal Clark
Shannon McConnaughey - Women's Swimming
Senior, Majors: Biological Sciences: Molecular and Cellular, Mathematics, and Classics
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 When I was considering Vanderbilt, I liked the attitude and feeling that the people and academic community at Vanderbilt seemed to have. Almost everyone I met was interested in different things; they all had a passion that they were actively pursuing.
What are your career goals?
After I graduate, I will be heading off to medical school, so assuming all goes well, I will begin practicing a short ten years from now. Currently, I am interested in specializing in orthopedic surgery with a focus on sports medicine. I also enjoy teaching, so I would like to teach medicine at some point.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
Lots of hard work and dedication, the ability to prioritize, and occasionally, willingness to accept imperfection. The standards at Vanderbilt are so high and most students are so involved that you have to keep a consistently high level of performance, choose what is really worth going all out on and, when it comes to crunch time, decide what you might have to sacrifice to stay ahead overall.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
Applying the above-mentioned principles, and not sleeping much. I tend to perform well under stress and time constraints, so that doesn’t really bother me. But when you combine all the busy times with fun, you pretty much have to sacrifice some sleep. That, and I try to stay away from the TV and Guitar Hero as much as possible.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
Usually, I am frantically studying up until the last minute. I try to stop studying a little early so I can listen to some good music and restore my sanity before I actually take the test, but that’s about it.
What is your favorite quote?
“Get busy living, or get busy dying.” -- Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption
Why Shannon is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
It has truly been my honor and privilege to work with Shannon the past two years. She is not only a remarkable student, but she is an exemplary role model for her younger teammates. Her academic accolades include not only SEC Academic Honor Roll, but she is a College Scholar for the College of Arts and Science and she has achieved the Dean's List in every semester that she has been at Vanderbilt. She has been a devoted member of the swim team since its inception in October of 2006, and her work ethic, character, and leadership skills are second to none. She intends to enroll in medical school next year, and hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon with an emphasis on sports medicine. I am confident that she will make an exceptional doctor, and I have no doubt that she will be successful in everything she attempts to accomplish in the future. --Katie Berglund
Past Recipients...
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005
Academic Support for Student-Athletes | Vanderbilt University
Department of Student Athletics | 2601 Jess Neely Drive | Nashville, TN 37212
Phone (615) 343-0444 |
