Gee Headed Five Major U.S. Universities
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vanderbilt students using email ★ SEE lifestyle PAGE 10 The Vanderbilt Huslter VOLUME 115, NUMBER 16 THE VOICE OF VANDERBILT ★ THE STUDENT CROSSWORD OF VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SINCE 1888 TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2003 TODAY’S FORECAST 40°AM 57°PM 42°tonight Partly Cloudy Chance of rain 20 percent ★ ★ ★ GEE DEAD Heart attack cuts short Death of beloved EXTENDED life of husband, father Chancellor rocks VU FORECAST By EVAN MAYER By MEREDITH BURGER Wednesday Light rain. The heart attack that cut short the life of E. News of the tragic death of Chancellor E. Gordon High in the lower 50s. Gordon Gee was completely unexpected, say Gee first reached students late Monday night, where Low in the lower 40s. University officials and wife Constance. Constance the sad message was passed mostly by email and Chance of rain 60 percent. delivered a prepared statement at a press confer- phone calls. Many students have expressed great ence held today saying, "Up until the end, he was sadness at the loss of the Chancellor they loved. the picture of health. Vibrant and full of zeal." Gee, who since 2000 has been Chancellor of Thursday The death was a shock to the entire University Partly cloudy. Vanderbilt, died suddenly at his home yesterday at community, who since learning of the Chancellor's High in the lower 60s. the age of 59. It is thought that he suffered a heart death late Monday night have been sharing stories Low in the lower 40s. attack shortly after returning home at 8pm last of the beloved Chancellor. Chance of rain 30 percent. night. His body was found by his wife, Dr. Constance Gee's daughter Rebekah was notified by phone Gee, in their bedroom at the Chancellor's mansion. last night by mother Constance and plans to fly to ★ ★ ★ Gee and his wife had been attending a social Nashville immediately to be with her mother. She function at the Vanderbilt University Club, when the told doctors at the Vanderbilt University Medical Chancellor announced that he was not feeling well Center last night that she had spoken to her father INSIDETODAY and the couple returned home. It is not known Sunday and had specifically asked about himself, whether Gee had any prior record of heart trouble, with Gee telling her that he was "a bit worn out, but but those close to him say he had recently been MC Chief details progress just fine." complaining of feeling tired at the end of long work- Vice-chancellor But doctors said that although the Chancellor ing days. Jacobson met two was "active," he must have been under great strain Although, as a devout Mormon, Gee abstained weeks ago with mem- for some time. from alcohol and tobacco, he was also known for bers of the Vanderbilt Constance said she arrived in the couple's bed- Chancellor E. Gordon Gee passed away this past pushing himself hard at work and for running a hec- community to give his room at approximately 8:05pm to check on her weekend at the age of 59. Vanderbilt Public Affairs tic schedule as Chancellor which led him to regular- annual state of the husband. According to Constance, her husband ly work 14-hour days. medical center address. was laying on the bed, and "looking very peaceful." Colleagues at the University were quick to pay See VUMC, page 3 She had bent closer to check on him when she real- The Tennessean that her husband's death "still has- tribute last night. Vice-chancellor of Public Affairs ized he wasn't breathing. She immediately phoned n't sunken in." Michael Shoenfeld said: "Gordon brought so much an EMT. She went on to say, "I love him dearly and will Gee leaves legacy energy to this job; he was popular with both staff The Chancellor was reported dead when the miss him every second of every day. But if there is The Vanderbilt Huslter’s editorial and students. It is difficult to imagine how devastat- EMTs arrived. anyone who I am certain will spend the rest of his today examines the life and times of ing this must be for his wife and family, but they are "He was a very busy guy, and he apparently days in heaven, it is Gordon. this university’s fallen leader. in our thoughts and prayers." never complained to anyone of any chest pain," Students, too, seem to be taking the death well, See Opinion, page 4 Chairman of the Vanderbilt Board of Trust, said cardiovascular specialist Greg Kerins. "In say University officials. Martha Ingram, said Gee had confounded those cases like these, you get a really on-the-go type per- "This is all so unbelievable," said senior Sarah critics who thought he might be an unsuitable Vanderbilt cricket son and a lot of times they'll just dismiss it and Lind. "He was so young, and seemed very healthy. choice for the University. "He was a truly inspiring Parks had an won't tell anyone anything until right up to the We will all miss him." figure," said Ingram. "I don't know of anyone who absolutely smash- end." Lind, like others, related stories of times she had met him who didn't come away with a positive ing round of cricket However, doctors assured the family that Gee talked briefly with the Chancellor, describing him impression. He was a wonderful ambassador for the this past week at "had not suffered." as "compassionate… a great and progressive University, and his early death is a tragic loss." the Southeastern Reaction to the Chancellor's death has been man." Conference finals in varied. Constance said last night to a reporter for See DEATH, page 2 See REACTION, page 3 Tuscaloosa. See Sports, page 6 Stereotypes on campus? Gee headed five major U.S. universities Are they good? Why do we have them? Why am I asking so many Served as senior staff assistant in the chambers of the Chief Justice of the United States questions? See Lifestyles, page 10? By ALEC BURKETT “He was a national leader who was tunate to have found him." uniquely prepared to see Vanderbilt Gee was one of the most experi- through the beginning of a new centu- enced leaders in higher education. In Corrections E. Gordon Gee, Chancellor of Vanderbilt University, passed away ry,” Ingram added. 1997, he was named president of The Vanderbilt Huslter’s last issue Thursday of last week. In his fifty-nine Before being named Chancellor the Brown, where he also helds a faculty was error-free,, as is this one. But years of life Gee lead five major U.S. board considered more than 150 can- appointment as professor of education continue to mail, fax, or deliver cor- univerisities, held numerous academic didates before selecting Gee. and public policy. Under his leader- rections to the Sarratt Student degrees, served his country and was a Board of Trust Vice Chairman ship, the Providence, R.I., university Center, Suite 135B. active parcipant in the community. Dennis Bottorff led the committee that launched new interdisciplinary pro- In a statement released by the Board selected the new Chancellor. On the grams in human values and life sci- of Trust, Chairman Martha Ingram selection of Gee, Bottorff said, “Our ences, and doubled its annual fund- said, “Gordon Gee was the ideal leader goal was to identify a Chancellor who raising in the space of two years. The Vanderbilt Huslter for Vanderbilt University. He embodied met the very high expectations articu- Gee was also an active member of the values that are so important for a lated by the faculty, students, staff and the community, serving as director of TELEPHONE POLL great university and for this University alumni, and who could make a positive Health & Education Leadership for difference at Vanderbilt. Gordon Gee Nashville; president of the Tennessee Do you think Math should be in particular: excellence in scholarship, a passionate concern for every individ- was that person. He has made a differ- Public Expenditure Council; director of a required component of ence; not just once, but at several of the the Nashville Plan; trustee of the CPLE? ual, a commitment to partnership with the community, and the courage to best universities in the country. He was Nashville Foundation; member of the an academic visionary who has suc- Economic Policy Council; director of 25% make difficult decisions. Equally Gee speaking to students after being named important, Gordon had a great passion cessfully taken on the challenges of Grow Smart Rhode Island; and chair- Yes the seventh Chancellor of Vanderbilt. File for our educational mission, and a education, research and management man of the search committee seeking a Photo in a very competitive world. We’re for- 11% keen sense of Vanderbilt’s traditions. See VALUES, page 2 No ☎67% PASTCHANCELLORS Don’t care/know * The previous data is the result of a ran- dom phone sampling of 50 undergraduate students INDEX InBRIEF ......................................................2 Opinion ......................................................4 Huslter Editorial ..............................4 Landon C. James H. Oliver C. Harvie Alexander Joe B. E. Gordon Sports ..........................................................6 GARLAND KIRKLAND CARMICHAEL BRANSCOMB HEARD WYATT GEE Boxscores................................................7 Lifestyle ................................................10 1875-1893 1893-1937 1937-1945 1945-1963 1963-1982 1982-2000 2000-2003 Crossword Puzzle ......................12 2 The Vanderbilt Huslter TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2003 InBRIEF ‘He embodied the values that are so important’ Gee timeline LEADERSHIP, from page 1 As a colonel in the United States Army Colorado in 1985, and, in 1990, moved Candlelight vigil to be held in remem- new school superintendent for Metro he led his brigade on a charge up San to The Ohio State University.