The 2014 Vanderbilt Founder’s Medalists are (l-r): Peter Attwater, Sarah Scott, Susannah Morris, William Marks, Cecilia Page, Debra Perrone, Kasey Hill, Mae Mosley, Kristin Bater and Amanda Palmer. Not pictured is George Williford, Founder’s Medalist for Oratory. (Vanderbilt University)
This year’s top scholars from Vanderbilt University’s undergraduate and professional schools were honored with Founder’s Medals during Commencement on Friday, May 9, 2014.
Since 1877, a gold medal has been awarded to the student graduating at the top of his or her class from each of Vanderbilt’s schools. These awards are called “Founder’s Medals” in honor of university founder Cornelius Vanderbilt, who made a specific contribution to endow the awards in their first year.
Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos presented the Founder’s Medals to the students.This year, a Founder’s Medal for oratory, for which any undergraduate on the debate team is eligible, also was awarded.
Amanda Lange Palmer, from Birmingham, Michigan, is Founder’s Medalist for Peabody College of education and human development, graduated with a bachelor of science. As a double major in cognitive studies and child development, Palmer has researched screening measures, performed diagnostics and developed intervention-based scripts for children with autism spectrum disorder. Palmer, a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar, a Peabody Scholar and a former recipient of the Susan B. Riley Scholarship, graduated with highest honors for her outstanding thesis work. Palmer plans to pursue a master’s in autism and developmental disabilities at the University of Texas at Austin. Read more about Amanda Palmer’s career plans.