You spoke up, and your Alumni Association is listening. A recent survey revealed that 77 percent of alumni respondents are interested in continuing education opportunities through the Alumni Association, and in response, we’ve been ramping up our efforts through your local Vanderbilt chapters.
Chapter educational events and topics are varied in scope and feature some of Vanderbilt’s most interesting alumni, faculty and administrators. Charles Plosser, BE’70, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, spoke in February to the Philadelphia Chapter about the U.S. economy. Barbara Tsakirgis, chair of the Department of Classical Studies, shared the story of King Tut with the Denver Chapter at the Denver Art Museum in December. Mark Abkowitz, professor of civil and environmental engineering, spoke to the San Francisco Chapter in January about the prevention of disasters.
In February, Vivien Fryd, professor and chair of the Department of History of Art, led the Charlotte, N.C., Chapter on a guided tour of the Bank of America Collection, one of the world’s finest corporate art collections, at The Mint Museum in Charlotte. Matthew Wright, vice chancellor for investments and manager of Vanderbilt’s $3.5 billion endowment, recently spoke to both the New York and Chicago chapters about how the university’s funds are invested and managed in this turbulent economic environment. And in February the Memphis, Tenn., Chapter played host to David Williams II, vice chancellor for university affairs and athletics, general counsel, and secretary of the university, for a lecture about the history of Motown music.
This is just a sampling of the many educational events sponsored recently by Vanderbilt chapters worldwide. Why not enjoy one of them yourself? Check for updates about upcoming events sponsored by your local Vanderbilt chapter by going here.
Want even more opportunities to learn? Tap into another great source of broad educational content online by visiting Vanderbilt’s YouTube channel or Vanderbilt’s iTunes U site.