April 2012 Vanderbilt View

College Halls at Kissam is building a better campus learning environment An artist's rendering of the view of College Halls from the Kirkland Esplanade entrance. (Vanderbilt University) Updated June 1: Scroll down to watch video of the first dorm being demolished. Vanderbilt’s Commencement, scheduled this year for… Read More

Blair Big Band plays from the heart Billy Adair conducts the Blair Big Band ensemble. (John Russell/Vanderbilt) In the practice hall at Blair School of Music, a velvety voice is crooning Irving Berlin’s “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.” Jubilant trumpets, a sizzling beat and funky, thumping… Read More

VUPD’s self-defense class empowers women to protect themselves Participants in the R.A.D. class wear protective gear while learning self-defense techniques. (John Russell/Vanderbilt) “Block! Snap-kick! Strike! Ready!” The commands are shouted and the moves are executed with swift precision. This isn’t a room full of black belts – it’s the… Read More

Amy-Jill Levine explores the shared heritage of Christianity and Judaism Amy-Jill Levine (Daniel Dubois/Vanderbilt) Amy-Jill Levine was always fascinated by Christianity. She recalls singing Christmas carols in public school in North Dartmouth, Mass.; joining friends to trim Christmas trees and hunt for Easter eggs. Then a schoolmate accused her,… Read More

Kissam will be a construction zone for two years starting May 14. (John Russell/Vanderbilt) For a short time, there was a rumor going around the office that took water cooler chatter to an all-time high. The six dormitories at Kissam Quadrangle would be blown up the day… Read More

L-r: Carl Seyfert, Board of Trust Chairman W.L. Hemingway, Arthur J. Dyer and Chancellor Harvie Branscomb on the observatory grounds circa 1952. Image courtesy of Vanderbilt University Special Collections & University Archives Vanderbilt alumnus Arthur J. Dyer came from humble beginnings but rose to prominence as one of Nashville’s… Read More

Leonard Folgarait, professor of history of art, delivered the keynote address on Mexican photography at the Art History Graduate Student Symposium held at Duke University. Nancy Godleski has been named assistant dean for collections at Central Library. Previously, Godleski was the Kaplanoff Librarian for American History and American Studies at… Read More

Lindsey Huddleston (John Russell/Vanderbilt) Sometimes a gust of wind topples a vase and shatters it. Sometimes the wedding officiant is late. Sometimes attendants are uncooperative, family members are estranged, and there are crayon-covered floors or gooey chafing dishes to be scrubbed. Lindsey Huddleston, co-owner of dandyLion alternative… Read More