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Vanderbilt College of Arts and Science | February 2025
Explorer
Dean's Note
In honor of Valentine's Day, this month we asked a psychologist, a philosopher, and an anthropologist age-old questions about love (see the video below). While they have different academic perspectives on the topic, there was more agreement than you might imagine. Importantly, they illustrate what makes A&S so unique: our ability to approach questions from multiple angles, challenge each other's thinking, and find commonalities. As we navigate the new and unexpected challenges facing higher education right now, we remain firmly committed to our mission of working together to advance knowledge and find solutions to the world's most pressing issues.

McNamara headshot
My best,
Timothy P. McNamara
Searcy Family Dean of the College of Arts and Science

Video Spotlight
Go: YOUTUBE, two women and a man seated holding agree/disagree signs
Is love real? Does it make you sick? From their unique perspectives across the arts and sciences, hear three Vanderbilt professors' hot takes on age-old questions of love. 
featured stories
smiling man in front of a background of ivy
Sloan Foundation awards Vanderbilt’s Alexandre Tiriac prestigious research fellowship
The research award will support his work on how early brain development impacts health outcomes.



Panka Bencisk headshot
Slow traffic, fast food: The effects of highway congestion on fast-food consumption
Panka Bencsik’s research highlighted that when roads are congested, people are more likely to choose fast food than to eat at home—which can have concerning public health implications.
smiling man against gray backdrop
Major Jackson awarded poetry prize
The inaugural Patricia Cannon Willis Prize for American Poetry from Yale Library recognized Jackson for his recent acclaimed poetry collection Razzle Dazzle: New and Selected Poems 2002-2022.
exhibition gallery with group of people
Students contribute to Nashville's socially engaged art scene
Undergraduates in Jana Harper’s class worked with local artists throughout the semester to understand the power of socially engaged art.
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In the Media
Daily Mail: Study reveals how micro black hole would implode your brain if you accidentally walked through one
Robert Scherrer (physics & astronomy), research featured.
The Tech: Radiolab founder and creator Jad Abumrad presents “How to Talk to a Human” at Sanders Theatre
Jad Abumrad (communication of science & technology), featured.
The New York Times: Trump tests legal limits in pushing out federal employees
David Lewis (political science), quoted.
The Tennessean: Black country artists are a force in Nashville: Here are your playlist must-haves
Alice Randall (African American and diaspora studies), mentioned.
The New York Times: As off Broadway crews unionize, workers see hope, producers peril
Christin Essin (theatre), quoted.
Reuters: Americans worry Musk’s campaign to slash government could hurt services, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
John Geer (political science), quoted.

Read More
November snapshot
four students outside smiling, snowy tree in background
See more snow day fun with A&S on Instagram!
@vuartsci on LinkedIn
A&S is now on LinkedIn!
Connect with your community.
Text: Support A&S As We Dare To Grow
it's your college. stay connected. @vuartsci
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Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science
404 Buttrick Hall, Nashville, TN 37240
Visit us: as.vanderbilt.edu

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