Office of Postdoctoral Affairs celebrates Postdoc Appreciation Week

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) sponsored a number of events to mark Postdoc Appreciation Week (Sept. 18-22), honoring postdocs’ contributions to the Vanderbilt community.

Since 2009, the National Postdoctoral Association has celebrated Postdoc Appreciation Week, which is officially recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives. More than 380 events in 37 states were held as well as in Asia, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Postdocs and some children enjoying picnic meals at a long picnic table in the park
Postdoc Appreciation Week began with a picnic at Fannie Mae Dees Park, where postdocs and their families enjoyed a catered barbecue dinner. (Denise Malone/Vanderbilt University)
diverse postdocs gathering in Alumni Hall for delicious pizza
Halfway through Postdoc Appreciation Week, the postdocs gathered for a pizza party social. (Denise Malone / Vanderbilt University)
Wallace speaking to an audience of about 50 diverse postdoctoral scholars at Alumni Hall
The week concluded with OPA’s first open house at Alumni Hall. The event began with a welcome from Dean Mark Wallace; an overview of the OPA by OPA director and Associate Dean Clare McCabe; and a series of information sessions on a range of programs and services available to postdocs. The open house concluded with a luncheon and social hour. (Steve Green/Vanderbilt University)

Though Postdoc Appreciation Week happens only once a year, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs continuously works to provide opportunities to enrich the lives and careers of Vanderbilt’s postdocs. To learn more about the activities and programs available throughout the year, visit http://vanderbi.lt/opaevents.