Speakers

The economics department at Vanderbilt University marks the establishment of its newest chair, the Joe L. Roby Chair of Economics, with a lecture on Nov. 17 by the chair's first holder, Eric Bond, professor of economics and a renowned international economist. Read More

What does the outcome of the 2004 presidential race ñ one that seemed to find the nation evenly yet definitively divided along regional and ideological lines ñ say about the overall narrative of the nation? Frank Rich, cultural critic and associate editor of The New York Times, will discuss "Culture Wars in an Election Year" on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Vanderbilt. Read More

The persuasive arguments for racial equality made by Haitian author and diplomat Antenor Firmin in his book L'Egalite des Races Humaines were roundly dismissed or ignored when he published it in 1885. Read More

Literature by Zora Neale Hurston and others can make a vital contribution to historians wishing to learn about those long misrepresented by traditional records, argues a historian who will speak at Vanderbilt University. Read More

The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, author of bestselling books about faith and widely regarded as one of America's most distinguished preachers, will deliver the 2004 Cole Lectures at Vanderbilt University on Nov. 4 and 5. Read More

Juvenile defenders from all 50 states, juvenile justice advocates and legal experts will convene in Nashville Oct. 22-24 for the national Juvenile Defender Leadership Summit. The summit is held in a different city each year and is co-sponsored this year by the Vanderbilt Child and Family Policy Center. Read More

One week before American voters decide whether to retain George W. Bush as president or make a change with Sen. John Kerry, political analyst and author Joe Klein will speak at Vanderbilt University. Read More

Carole Brookins, the World Bank's executive director for the United States, will speak about "Tennessee and the World Bank: Partners in Development" at Vanderbilt University on Oct. 20. Read More

The "down low" black male quickly became a cultural touchstone after the publication of On the Down Low by J.L. King and its subsequent promotion in the national print and television media. Read More

The longest continuous Holocaust lecture series at an American university begins its 27th year on Thursday, Oct. 21, at Vanderbilt University and will expand to consider genocides beyond those perpetrated by the Nazis. Read More

With the United States' military involvement in Iraq playing a key role in the hotly contested presidential race between George W. Bush and John Kerry, Pierre Gassmann's insight could prove invaluable to voters trying to sort through the rhetoric. Gassmann, who until July served as head of the Baghdad delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), will discuss "Humanitarianism and the Global War on Terror: Does Neutrality Still Make Sense?" on Oct. 12 at Vanderbilt. Read More

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Suskind will speak at Vanderbilt University on Thursday, Oct. 14, delivering a lecture titled "In Search of George W. Bush: Informed Consent in the Age of Spin." Suskind's book, "The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House and the Education of Paul O'Neill," published earlier this year, is a candid assessment of the Bush presidency by former U.S. Treasury Secretary O'Neill, the only member of Bush's innermost circle to leave and then agree to speak frankly about the inner workings of the administration. Read More

Vanderbilt University will participate in nationwide celebrations of the 100th birthday of writer Isaac Bashevis Singer with screenings of two films and a lecture by Robert D. King of the University of Texas, a friend of the Nobel Prize-winning author. Read More

The presumption that the American South is irretrievably "Bush Country" will be challenged when several of the writers from the Where We Stand: Voices of Southern Dissent book of essays appear at Vanderbilt University for a panel discussion. Read More

Irshad Manji, best-selling author of "The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith," will give a public lecture at Vanderbilt University's Wilson Hall, Room 126, Thursday, Sept. 23, at 4:10 p.m. Read More

Former Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor will discuss jobs, the U.S. standard of living and future trade policies when he delivers the annual McGee Lecture at Vanderbilt on Sept. 16. The lecture, titled "Politics and Trade Agreements," is free and open to the public. Read More

Does God exist? Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? What is happiness, and how do we find meaning and purpose in our lives? Read More

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice spoke to graduating seniors, rock band the B-52's performed, parents attended lectures and Chancellor Gordon Gee will deliver the commencement address on Friday as part of Vanderbilt University's expanded celebration of graduation activities May 12-14. Read More

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will speak at Vanderbilt University's inaugural Senior Class Day on Thursday, May 13, at 10 a.m. on Alumni Lawn. Senior Class Day is an addition to Vanderbilt's graduation celebrations and is held the day before the University's Commencement exercises. Rice's speech will be webcast live. A link to the webcast will be on the Vanderbilt University home page at www.vanderbilt.edu. In case of severe weather, the event will be held in Memorial Gym on 25th Avenue South. Read More

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will speak at Vanderbilt University's inaugural Senior Class Day on Thursday, May 13, at 10 a.m. on Alumni Lawn. Senior Class Day is an addition to Vanderbilt's graduation celebrations and is held the day before the University's Commencement exercises. Read More