artsandScience The magazine of Vanderbilt University’s College of Arts and Science FALL 2008 spring2008 artsANDSCIENCE 1 whereAREYOU? NEIL BRAKE Answer found on the back cover tableOFCONTenTS FALL 2008 10 28 18 6 10 No Joke departments This MacArthur genius is as known for his creativity and humor as his landmark research. A View From Kirkland Hall 2 Arts and Science Notebook 3 Arts and Science in the World 6 18 Voices from the Past Five Minutes With… 8 The Robert Penn Warren Center reveals its namesake’s long-forgotten conversations Up Close 12 with historic Civil Rights greats. Great Minds 14 Rigor and Relevance 16 28 Philosophy of Music Forum 24 First Person 26 Music industry executive Paul Worley, BA’72, learned a lot at Vanderbilt…and Open Book 30 from an old guitar. And the Award Goes To 31 Giving 32 artsANDSCIENCE© is published by the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University College Cabinet 34 in cooperation with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations Communications. You Back in the Day 42 may contact the editor by e-mail at [email protected] or by U.S. mail 44 at PMB 407703, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7703. In Place 46 Editorial offices are located in the Loews Vanderbilt Office Complex, 2100 West End Ave., Parting Shot Suite 820, Nashville, TN 37203. Nancy Wise, EDITOR Donna Pritchett, ART DIRECTOR Jenni Ohnstad, DESIGNER Neil Brake, Daniel Dubois, Steve Green, Jenny Mandeville, John Russell, PHOTOGRAPHY Carolyn Dever, INTERIM DEAN Jonathan S. Petty, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS Emma Cofer, Mardy Fones, Melanie Moran, Dwayne O’Brien, MA’05, David F. Salisbury, Sara Shaut, Sandy Smith, Emily White, BA’00, CONTRIBUTORS Vanderbilt University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. Cover: Sophomores Nathan Presmyk and Emily Morgenstern can’t resist tossing some of the crisp leaves carpeting the campus near Furman Hall. Photo by Steve Green. © 2008 Vanderbilt University Arts and Science was printed with vegetable/soy-based ink on Monadnock Astrolite PC 100, a certified 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. This environmentally responsible paper choice is process chlorine free and was produced using 100 percent clean, renewable electric power. aviewFROMkirklandHALL TO THINK ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE IS TO THINK ABOUT DIVERSITY. Every day I speak with great pride, for example, about the range of scholarly disciplines pursued by Arts and Science faculty and students. From chemistry to classics, from physics to psychology to philosophy and everywhere in between, our researchers press deeply into the questions of their disciplines—even as their interdisciplin- ary innovations help to rearrange those disciplines themselves. I speak with great pride, as well, about the diverse backgrounds of our faculty and students. The College of Arts and Science is a truly global community: we are committed to bringing the world’s most talented thinkers to our labs and classrooms, and in partnership with our alumni, to bringing the work of our labs and classrooms to every region of the globe. Along with Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos and Provost Richard McCarty, we are committed to socioeconomic diversity by making a Vanderbilt education available to every undergradu- ate we admit, regardless of ability to pay—and we are committed to insuring that every Arts and Science student graduates free of the burden of student-loan debt. Each of us benefits from the increasing ethnic and racial diversity among our faculty, undergraduate and graduate students. I am proud of the national leadership of faculty such as Keivan Stassun, associate professor of astronomy, and Richard Pitt, assistant professor of OIS B U D sociology, in helping minority and underrepresented students gain access to educational IEL N DA opportunities. To speak of “diversity” as I have here helps me to communicate to you the dazzling energy and scope of this institution. It has surprised me to recognize, then, that the most profound aspect of my experience of the past several months—my first as interim dean— involves the remarkable coherence of a community almost inconceivably heterogeneous. For example, when Jay Dickerson, assistant professor of physics, teaches his undergradu- ate seminar The Art of Physics and the Physics of Art, he presumes not the opposition of science and art but their inseparability. Understanding of the arts illuminates the under- standing of science, and vice versa. Professor Dickerson reminds us that we are not the College of Arts or Science, nor the College of Arts vs. Science; we are the College of Arts and Science. When Assistant Professor of Anthropology Pierre Colas and his sister were killed early in the fall semester, the faculty, students and staff of Arts and Science came together in an inspiring demonstration of the power of a community. Together we shared in those most human of processes: to find meaning in tragedy, to grieve, to heal. This College of Arts and Science is as powerfully centripetal as it is centrifugal—a com- munity whose rich diversity fosters its unity. Through the example of this community I have come to a new appreciation of the importance of the “and” in our name: we are the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University. Carolyn Dever Interim Dean 2 fall2008 artsandsciencenotebook New Financial Aid Program Offers Access, Opportunity Financial aid packages for undergraduates will not contain need-based student loans. In a historic move that strengthens its No Income Cap for Families dedication to accessibility and affordability, Unlike some other leading universities Vanderbilt announced last month that it will which have either reduced or eliminated eliminate need-based loans from financial need-based loans solely for low- and/or aid packages offered to eligible undergradu- middle-income families, Vanderbilt will ates. Starting in fall 2009, the amount of eliminate them for all students who qualify need-based loans normally included in for need-based financial assistance, based undergraduate financial aid awards for new on a holistic review of individual family and returning students will be replaced with circumstances. In determining a student’s Vanderbilt grants and scholarships. In addi- demonstrated financial need, Vanderbilt tion, seniors slated to graduate in May 2009 takes into account each student’s individual will have their need-based loans for the family circumstances and all educational spring 2009 semester replaced with grant costs such as tuition, fees, housing, meals, In addition to encouraging students to and scholarship assistance. books and course materials, plus allowances consider Vanderbilt who might not have “This underscores Vanderbilt’s commit- for personal and travel expenses. otherwise, the initiative will also allow stu- ment to the belief that ability, achievement The fall 2009 program will apply to all dents to pursue further education or career and hard work—not a family’s financial need-based loans for new and returning options that they might not have considered status—should determine access to a great undergraduate students. if they had need-based student loan debt. education,” said Chancellor Nicholas S. Reaction on campus and in the College Zeppos of the historic move. “When finan- Debt Reduction A Priority of Arts and Science was swift and positive. cial barriers to a Vanderbilt education are The university started an initiative to reduce “Put simply, our investment in a no-loan pol- reduced or eliminated, Vanderbilt becomes students’ education-related debt approxi- icy is both good business and right business,” a more dynamic environment for everyone. mately seven years ago. That initiative has said Carolyn Dever, interim dean of the Every student benefits from the enriched already resulted in the reduction of average College of Arts and Science. “Good business community composed of highly talented overall indebtedness of graduating seniors because it will enable us to attract the best and qualified students of all economic, by 17 percent. The additional funds needed students regardless of their means. Right cultural and geographic backgrounds.” to fully replace need-based loans will come business because the College of Arts and Provost Richard McCarty noted that from institutional reallocations and from Science benefits from the socioeconomic Vanderbilt will continue to be one of only a earnings on an additional $100 million to diversity of its student body. The impact few U.S. universities that employs a “need- be raised in new scholarship endowment goes even further: our society benefits from blind” admissions approach and additionally over the next several years. A top priority the freedom of young Vanderbilt alumni to guarantees to meet each student’s demon- of Vanderbilt’s ongoing Shape the Future choose any career path without the burden strated financial need. “We will continue to campaign has been, and will continue to be, of student-loan debt. We’re excited about make admission decisions based on such increased scholarship support. Vanderbilt what this means for our students and the factors as character, academic strength will specifically seek philanthropic gifts entire expanded Vanderbilt community.” and leadership skills, but not on a family’s from alumni and friends for this initiative. For more information, visit www.vander- income level or ability to pay,” McCarty said. bilt.edu/expandedaidprogram. artsANDSCIENCE 3 artsandsciencenotebook N REE G E V E T S Ready for Its Close-Up A Place Where Creativity May Flourish Remembering Pierre Colas Vanderbilt Rises In Top If the campuses in Billy: The Early Years or The College of Arts and Science and the University Rankings Hannah Montana: The Movie look familiar, entire Vanderbilt community mourn the Of all the universities in America, Vanderbilt it’s because both theatrical-release films loss of anthropology professor Pierre Colas, University is ranked No. 18 according to shot scenes on the Vanderbilt campus.