The Vanderbilt Story
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Broadway Melody: Composer turns story into song
Perseverance is a trait ingrained in Madeline Myers. In January the 2011 graduate of the Blair School of Music won the first Ken Davenport Songwriting Contest in New York City. The contest, sponsored by Davenport, who produced the 2013 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Kinky Boots, served as a showcase… Read MoreAug 1, 2014
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Flight Path: A highflying merger has put Doug Parker, MBA’86, at the controls of the world’s largest airline
One hundred years ago pilot Tony Jannus made history when he flew a biplane from Tampa, Fla., to neighboring St. Petersburg. By all accounts the flight itself was unremarkable. There were no speed or distance records broken that day, nor feats of aerial acrobatics. In fact, the plane was in… Read MoreJul 31, 2014
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Perfect Taste: Amy Christine Ellis, BA’96
Like the vineyards that produce the classic vintages she adores, Amy Christine Ellis’ palate has been carefully cultivated for years. Recently, she was named a master of wine by the Institute of Masters of Wine—one of only 312 people to hold that title worldwide, and one of only 10 women… Read MoreJul 29, 2014
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Director’s Cut: Piper Hendricks, BS’99
A disappointing court decision led attorney Piper Hendricks to an unusual change of career—documentary filmmaking—with a little help from a nun. “I was working in international human rights litigation,” recalls Hendricks, “and was handling cases against corporations, including one against [a tire manufacturer] for using child labor in Liberia. It… Read MoreJul 28, 2014
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The Uplifting Project builds schools in impoverished nations
Alumna cultivated her passion for service while at Peabody. Read MoreJul 25, 2014
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Nora Tyson, BA’79, is one of StyleBlueprint.com’s FACES of the South
StyleBlueprint.com profiles 2012 Vanderbilt University Distinguished Alumna Nora Tyson, BA’79, and her rise to vice admiral and deputy commander of United States Fleet Forces Command. Read MoreJul 24, 2014
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Star-Spangled Brass: Steven Smartt embarks on a full-blown musical journey
Steven Smartt, BME’71, MME’72—associate dean for academic services in the Graduate School, assistant provost for research, and assistant professor of the practice of education—leads a parallel life. A trumpet player since elementary school, the Nashville native earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Peabody College. He… Read MoreJul 1, 2014
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Runner’s High: Idealism, energy and a touch of naiveté led me to William. Marathon training showed me just how tough I was.
By Andrea McDermott Sanders, MEd’06 “We are looking for a student to tutor our son. …” So began an email blast that went out to all Peabody graduate students Sept. 13, 2004. Dr. Anderson Spickard, MD’89, a physician in Vanderbilt University’s internal medicine and public health department, and his… Read MoreJul 1, 2014
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Leadership Lessons: Owen alumni reveal what it took and how they did it
Leadership is as much art as science. Its components can be studied, but to see it in practice is to develop an appreciation for the intangibles that turn those components into success. In training not just executives but leaders, Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management has long provided both practical and… Read MoreJun 19, 2014
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Victory Lane: Travis Geisler, BE’03, is driven to win at Team Penske
When it comes to his love for auto racing, Travis Geisler is always willing to go the extra mile—thousands of them, really, if one considers his college years. While at Vanderbilt he made the 1,200-mile round trip between Nashville and his hometown of Pittsburgh nearly every weekend just to compete… Read MoreJun 19, 2014
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Doors Wide Open: For community leader Francis Guess, MBM’74, Kraft Award recalls early lesson in integrity
Francis Guess doesn’t shy from uncomfortable topics. The businessman, civil rights leader, philanthropist, public servant and community leader talks frankly about what it was like to be a Vietnam veteran assigned to work on the Army’s civil disturbance plans for his community, attending Vanderbilt in the 1970s when most students… Read MoreJun 19, 2014
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Serving the never-served
When the Clinic at Mercury Courts opened in the summer of 2012, the staff expected to be inundated with patient visits. Designed to provide medical care for people and families transitioning from homelessness and other poverty situations, the clinic on Murfreesboro Road is located within a 5-mile radius of 12… Read MoreJun 7, 2014
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Class of 2014: Marc Panu is a playmaker in the engineering lab
Marc Panu became a YouTube sensation after a video captured the three-year walk-on athlete receiving a football scholarship in 2012. The chemical and biomolecular engineering major’s hard work has distinguished him in the research lab as well. Read MoreMay 1, 2014
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Class of 2014: Katie Walden makes serious study of America’s pastime
When Katie Walden came to Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, she believed a piano bench would always be in her future. But four years of learning and exploration have led her to a different kind of bench—a baseball bench. Read MoreMay 1, 2014
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VUCast: Students changing lives
In the latest VUCast: Watch a senior erase stereotypes among young students in the Middle East; see how a senior is telling stories to change perceptions about disabilities; and learn how you can click your way to Commencement. All this and more in the latest VUCast, Vanderbilt's online newscast. Watch now. Read MoreApr 30, 2014
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Faculty-Staff Campaign co-chairs show gratitude by giving back
Faculty-Staff Campaign co-chairs Vanessa and Trey Beasley had a very personal reason for returning to Vanderbilt. But it’s the community of support among faculty, staff, students and friends that's kept them here for almost a decade. Read MoreApr 29, 2014
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Vanderbilt Student Teaching Kids in Pakistan
Meet Vanderbilt Human And Organizational Development major Lisa Koenig. She wakes up in the middle of the night to help change kids’ lives In one of the most controversial parts of the Middle East. [vucastblurb]… Read MoreApr 29, 2014
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Vanderbilt Student Documentary: “Endless Abilities”
Meet Vanderbilt Arts and Science major Harvey Burrell. Harvey’s creative story-telling and desire to elevate the image of people with physical disabilities turned his college experience into an epic cross-country adventure and an inspirational documentary called “Endless Abilities.” [vucastblurb]… Read MoreApr 29, 2014
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Class of 2014: Megan Piphus uses puppetry to entertain and mentor
Megan Piphus dreams of stardom, but more importantly, success. Read MoreApr 23, 2014
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Journey to Discovery: From Aspirnauts to the Class of 2014
Watch the inspiring story of two members of the Class of 2014 and the science program that changed their lives. VUCast followed Cody Stothers and Domonique Bragg through the twists and turns each faced from high school to seniors at Vanderbilt. Read MoreApr 23, 2014