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.
 November 2009
Joel Caldwell - Football
Senior, Major: Economics
 Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
I chose Vanderbilt because it is a great academic school and competes in the best conference in collegiate athletics.
What are your career goals?
I plan on going to law school after I graduate in December 2009.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
To be academically successful at Vanderbilt you must be very disciplined in doing your work and try not to procrastinate. Also, get help in a tough class as soon as possible.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I try to get my studies done before practice and immediately after practice. I also try to at least get 8 hours of rest, so I can function throughout the whole day without feeling sluggish. Whenever I get all my work done, I try to at least take some time for leisure so the continual routine of practice and class will not overwhelm me.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
I try to study as much as possible for the test during the week, and I usually wake up early in the morning to look over the material again. I always say a quick prayer before a test asking God to allow me to do well on the test.
What is your favorite quote?
"All things are possible to him that believeth." -Mark 9:23
Why Joel is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Joel has always been a hard working student with high goals both on and off the football field. I have really enjoyed working with him over the last four years and he is deserving of this special honor. --Max Martin
Alex Mundy - Lacrosse
Senior, Majors: Political Science and Economics, Minor: Managerial Studies Corporate Strategy
 Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
Choosing to come to Vanderbilt was really an easy choice for me. It is a prestigious academic university and it has one of the top lacrosse programs in the country. I knew coming to Vanderbilt would better me as a student-athlete and provide me with the tools I will need to be successful in the future.
What are your career goals?
I just want to enjoy what I do. I love to try new things and challenge myself, so I have a feeling I will switch up career paths at least a couple times. I am really interested in possibly coaching at the collegiate level while going to grad school or working in the health care field.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
Confidence and taking advantage of your resources. It is pretty intimidating academically sometimes. The students and professors at Vanderbilt are brilliant and it is really easy to feel insecure in the classroom; you have to know you deserve to be here and want to meet the challenges that are presented to you. Also, as a student-athlete, you are surrounded with adults that want to help you and make life less stressful for you; I learned quickly that these people become some of the most important ones to you over your four years here.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I plan out my schedule weekly. I found if I have laid out what is due at least a week before, I can disperse my time as needed; as a student-athlete you don't have the whole afternoon to cram for a test the next day or write an entire paper.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
Go to bed early, get up really early. I am so much more productive in the morning, so I usually get a lot of last minute studying in before my classes.
What is your favorite quote?
"A lot of people are afraid to tell the truth, to say no. That's where toughness comes into play. Toughness is not being a bully . It's having a backbone." -Robert Kiyosaki
Why Alex is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Alex is well deserving of this honor as she has continuously challenged herself to be the best in all that she does. She is a dedicated student majoring in Political Science and Economics with a minor in Managerial Studies and twice has earned SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition. She is a four-year starter on defense and has earned numerous athletic accolades including third-team All-America and first-team All-Region in 2009. I applaud Alex for her efforts as she has done an admirable job in maximizing the value of her education by completing such a rigorous academic load while having to balance the demands of a Division I student-athlete. I wish Alex the best in her final year and I am confident she will be a success in life. --Shawn Fagan
Past Recipients...
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
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December 2007
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December 2006
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December 2005
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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 |
