Leadership Dinner
A Spirit of Enthusiasm
VUSE honors one of its own at Leadership Dinner in Featheringill Hall

The three-story atrium in Featheringill Hall

Dean Kenneth F. Galloway welcomed Chancellor E. Gordon Gee, Distinguished Alumnus L. Hall Hardaway Jr., students and supporters of the School of Engineering to the School’s new Featheringill Hall for the Leadership Dinner on Feb. 1.

“I have looked forward to this evening for a long time,” said Dean Galloway. “To be here in the atrium of our new building, truly a focal point for our school and a symbol of our progress, is an energizing experience.”

The Dean thanked the supporters of the School, including Building Campaign Chair Bill Featheringill and Alumni Council President Jim Johnson, for their efforts and generosity in the construction of the new building. He also recognized the School’s faculty for bringing several new grants, research and a growing reputation for excellence to the School. Dean Galloway noted that externally-funded research by faculty and students has doubled in the past five years.

“Exciting research, an exemplary and devoted faculty, great students and a terrific new building — these are the powerful forces in the progress our School is experiencing,” he said. “There is a real spirit of enthusiasm about the progress that we have made. I believe we have a strong shared vision for the future of engineering at Vanderbilt.”

Student Engineering Council President David Brogan, a Harrawood Scholar, thanked those present for their part in funding the School’s many endowed scholarships and for the commitment they showed to the students by supporting the construction of the new building. “This building gives the Engineering School a new face to show to Vanderbilt and to the world,” he said. “Not only do we have a new home, we’ve got the nicest house on the block.”

Chancellor G. Gordon Gee, 2002 Distinguished Alumnus L. Hall Hardaway and Dean Kenneth F. Galloway	Hardaway and Bill Featheringill, BE’64, for whom the new building is named

In his remarks, Chancellor Gee joined Dean Galloway in praising the accomplishments of the faculty and students. Chancellor Gee, wearing his customary bow tie — black, complemented by his Vanderbilt gold vest — proclaimed, “The talents of the School of Engineering’s faculty and graduates extend Vanderbilt’s presence into the wider world. The ideas of the Engineering School are special because they are made manifest in the world, and the work that it does contributes to the larger work of our University.”

Chancellor Gee introduced Hardaway, BE’57, as the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumnus award. “Middle Tennessee is richer and certainly more well-built because of Hall’s committed attention and wise use of his craft,” stated Gee. “He distinguishes not only himself but also his profession and Vanderbilt University by his full presence within the community.”

Hardaway spoke briefly about the effect the School has had on his life and thanked the Alumni Council, the faculty and those present for the honor of being named a Distinguished Alumnus of the Vanderbilt School of Engineering.