Vanderbilt University honors 28 as emeriti faculty
May. 8, 2015—Vanderbilt recognized 28 retiring faculty members during Commencement exercises May 8. (Vanderbilt University) Twenty-eight retiring faculty members were recognized during Vanderbilt’s Commencement ceremony May 8, when the university honored their years of service and bestowed on them the title of emeritus or emerita faculty. Jorge H. Capdevila, professor of medicine, emeritus Capdevila earned a biochemistry...
Vanderbilt awards Founder’s Medals to top scholars at Commencement
May. 8, 2015—Blair School of Music Dean Mark Wait (left) and Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos (right) award the Founder's Medal to Blair graduate Nora Pertz May 8 at Commencement. (Vanderbilt University) Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos awarded the top scholars from each of the university’s undergraduate and professional schools with Founder’s Medals during Commencement, May 8. Since 1877, a...
Watkins memorialized with establishment of new chair
Apr. 30, 2015—Vanderbilt University will establish the Levi Watkins Jr., M.D. Chair, to be awarded to a medical school faculty member who is a leader in diversity, in honor of the 1970 graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) who died earlier this month. Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos made the announcement April 30 at a...
Zeppos announces chair in diversity in Dr. Levi Watkins’ name
Apr. 30, 2015—Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. (Vanderbilt University) Vanderbilt University will establish the Levi Watkins Jr., M.D. Chair, to be awarded to a medical school faculty member who is a leader in diversity, in honor of the 1970 graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine who died earlier this month. Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos made the announcement April...
David Ong, professor of Biochmistry, emeritus, dies at 71
Apr. 28, 2015—David E. Ong, Ph.D., professor of Biochemistry, emeritus, whose contributions to research in the area of vitamin A biochemistry were recognized worldwide, died April 25. He was 71. David E. Ong, Ph.D., professor of Biochemistry, emeritus, was an avid gardner with a special interest in Bonsai plants. “The passing of Dr. Ong is a tremendous...
Memorial service for Levi Watkins Jr. set for April 30
Apr. 24, 2015—A memorial service celebrating the life of Levi Watkins Jr., renowned cardiac surgeon, champion of racial equality and diversity, and the first African American to be admitted to and graduate from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, will be held Thursday, April 30, at 11 a.m. at Vanderbilt’s Benton Chapel.
Photos: Shade Tree Trot 2015
Apr. 23, 2015—Approximately 350 people took part in Saturday’s Shade Tree Trot on the Vanderbilt campus. Last week’s Shade Tree Trot and benefit dinner raised a record amount — more than $51,000. Nearly 350 runners and walkers participated in the seventh annual 5K race organized by Vanderbilt University School of Medicine students. There were 650 registrants for...
Alumna Mary Beth Ballard shares her story to raise awareness about bladder cancer
Apr. 21, 2015—Mary Beth Ballard (left) with mother Mary H. Ballard at the 2014 Walk for Bladder Cancer in Lexington, Kentucky The odds should have been in Mary Beth Ballard’s favor. After all, bladder cancer is three times as likely to occur in men, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 73. And yet...
Levi Watkins Jr., medical pioneer and champion of racial equality, dies
Apr. 14, 2015—Levi Watkins Jr., a renowned cardiac surgeon, champion of racial equality and diversity, and the first African American to be admitted to and graduate from Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine, died Saturday from complications after suffering a stroke. He was 70.
Remembering Levi Watkins Jr.
Apr. 13, 2015—Andre Churchwell, M.D. Irving Berlin wrote, ”The song is ended, but the melody lingers on, you and the song are gone but the melody lingers on…” Such is the case of the life of Levi Watkins Jr., M.D. Levi’s life was one committed to transformative change, starting the day he walked through the doors of...