Winter 2018

Literary Obscenities: U.S. Case Law and Naturalism after Modernism (2018, Penn State University Press) by Erik M. Bachman, BA’03 This comparative historical study explores the broad sociocultural factors at play in the relationships among U.S. obscenity laws and literary modernism and naturalism in the early 20th century. Putting obscenity case… Read More

As the university embarks on a project to construct three new residential colleges along West End Avenue, Vanderbilt Magazine looks at residential life, then and now, on campus. Read More

If Vanderbilt is to live up to its mission of training future leaders, we cannot ignore the vital roles that civility and community play in society—no matter how harried or virtual our lives become. Read More

By Andrew Maraniss, BA’92 “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Perry Wallace, who through quiet strength and courage blazed a trail that still serves as a lesson in resilience and perseverance in the face of incredible obstacles. We are more fortunate for having known him and for… Read More

Vanderbilt is replacing aging dormitories with residential colleges designed to encourage classmates from varying backgrounds to come together in shared communities, living alongside faculty members who help foster dialogue and discovery outside the classroom. Read More

Vanderbilt’s A. James Clark Scholars Program offers financial aid each year to 10 engineering undergraduates who have demonstrated a commitment to business leadership and civic engagement. Read More

On Feb. 6, Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham, a No. 1 New York Times best-selling presidential biographer and visiting Vanderbilt distinguished professor of political science, sat down with Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos to discuss Donald Trump’s first year in office. Read More

Just three days after Perry Wallace, BE’70, died, hundreds of people—including family, friends, teammates and fans—gathered at Vanderbilt’s Langford Auditorium on Dec. 4 for the premiere of Triumph: The Untold Story of Perry Wallace, a documentary about the late Wallace’s courage and struggles as a student-athlete breaking the color barrier in the SEC. Read More

Blessing Ejiofor is from Ebonyi, Nigeria, more than 6,000 miles from Nashville—but growing up, she was well aware of Vanderbilt. In fact, she considered it her “dream school” early on. Read More

Lorena Infante Lara writes about her plans to use her Ph.D. to pursue a career in the media. Read More

Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill, who died in late 2016, was the last direct link between Vanderbilt University and its founder. Read More

George Matouk, BA'91, talks about his family's business, John Matouk & Co., which has emerged as one of the premier luxury brands in bed and bath linens. Read More

The power of hope—and a dark history—come to life through violin project Some say the violin is the instrument that most closely imitates the human voice. In March, 22 violins, most of which were played by Jewish musicians interned in concentration camps during the Holocaust, will arrive in… Read More

In each issue, Vanderbilt Magazine publishes a handful of social media posts from alumni, students, faculty, staff and Commodores fans that include the hashtag #Vandygram. Read More

Zhubin Parang, BS’03 (foreground, left), and his writing staff discuss the day’s script with Trevor Noah (seated) on the set of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Photo by Sean Gallagher/The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Zhubin Parang, BS’03, always wanted to work in politics. And he does—in a… Read More

Caleb Feiring (SHIA LEVITT)   For Caleb Feiring, riding his bike across the country on a quest to tell the stories of America’s family farmers isn’t without its hazards. Consider the night he bedded down in a Midwestern barn with a nocturnal rooster. “He was… Read More

William W. Bain Jr., BA’59:  Long-Term Strategist William W. Bain Jr., an alumnus and emeritus member of the Board of Trust, died Jan. 16 at his home in Naples, Florida. He was 80 years old. Bain founded Bain & Co., a corporate strategy consulting… Read More

Above: The Cultures in Clay exhibit includes the Man and Beast seal (Arno Poebel Collection); below, left, a statue of Osiris, mythological father of the Egyptian god Horus, from the private collection of emeritus professor Douglas Knight; and, below right, the Drehem tablet (James Stevenson Collection). Clay… Read More

HELLO, DOLLY  An exhibition of Polaroids and black-and-white photographs by Andy Warhol of his friends and clients—including Dolly Parton, above, taken in 1985—kicked off the 2018 season at the Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery. Famous! (and Not-So-Famous): Polaroids by Andy Warhol provides a glimpse into Warhol’s creative process… Read More

Costa Rica native Jose Sibaja, associate professor of trumpet, photo by Susan Urmy Building connections with Latin American musicians has been a major focus for the Blair School’s Thomas Verrier since first traveling to Central America in 2009. Now he and a group of like-minded Blair faculty members… Read More