Proof of concept

My colleague and university Web pro Jim Parker is teaching a class this semester on virtual communities. His experience yesterday, described below, illustrated marvelously that yes, virtual communities are becoming integral to learning on campus and that students are interested in discussing and learning about these topics in non-virtual (formally known as real world) communities, [...]

Remembering Pierre Colas

The university is shocked and saddened today by the tragic death last night of one of its young faculty members, Pierre Colas. We have created a blog, http://rememberingpierre.wordpress.com, where Pierre’s friends, colleagues and loved ones can leave their remembrances and thoughts. More information is also available here.

Move-in touches Nashville columnist

Glowing review by Tennessean columnist Tim Chavez on his Political Salsa blog of move-in day, which he happened upon by accident last Saturday:
Within the borders of Vanderbilt, there was immunity to the virus sickening the rest of Nashville and Davidson County. The campus was open, friendly, optimistic, laughing, smiling and tolerant of all the differences [...]

Move-In!

I for one always dread moving, but these students, first-years, parents and our crack video and photography team sure make it look like fun. And yes, of course, it made me cry. That part where the mom gives her son the letter? Niagra Falls!
See for yourself in this fantastic new VUCast about the historic first [...]

18

U.S. News best colleges rankings are out today and Vanderbilt is up one notch this year to No. 18 nationally, our highest ranking yet on this closely watched list. Vandy was also ranked No. 14 among national universities in the ‘Great Schools, Great Prices’ category marking it as a good value for its tuition costs. [...]

Respect in the classroom starts with teachers

Vanderbilt Peabody’s Donna Ford was recruited by the Baltimore school system to share her wisdom about student achievement and motivation with all 7,000 of its teachers following attacks on teachers last year and continuing problems with disruptive students. Ford spoke for 2.5 hours yesterday to teachers at and will continue her presentations this week.
Getting a [...]

Standing up to cancer online

Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center has launched a special interactive Web site, www.standuptocancertn.com, in support of the national Stand Up To Cancer event being held by the Entertainment Industry Foundation Sept. 5. That hour-long event, which will be aired simultaneously on CBS, NBC and ABC from 7 – 8 p.m. CDT will bring together myriad celebrity [...]

Commodore Steel Drummer teaches in Taiwan

Take a look at this great story and photos about a recent teaching trip to Taiwan by Mat Britain, director of the Commodore Steel Drum Bands (I’m told the Web site where this story appears is the largest steel drum Web site around). Note Mat is proudly displaying his black and gold in the first [...]

All moved in

The Commons is officially open for business – as gorgeous weather, enthusiastic student volunteers, and lots of energy welcomed the class of 2012 to campus this weekend.
View a full photo gallery at Common Place.

For Nash residents: traffic info. for The Commons move-in this weekend

Saturday is the big move-in day at The Commons, our new living learning community for freshmen. Here’s the skinny on traffic for local peeps:
The Commons is on the southeastern part of campus near Peabody College. There will be increased traffic in this area because of move-in and the following streets will be closed to through [...]