Jim Lovensheimer, assistant professor of musicology, was surprised to see Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos striding into his American Popular Music class on Oct. 22. With a video of James Brown up on the screen behind him in the Sarratt Cinema, Lovensheimer was speechless when Zeppos announced he was here to “give you the Chancellor’s Cup,” and the class broke into applause.

The Chancellor's Cup is given annually for "the greatest contribution outside the classroom to undergraduate student-faculty relationships in the recent past." The faculty member's contribution "shall be one of educational importance, relevant to the central purpose of the University."

Lovensheimer, who goes the extra mile for students in and out of class, “is really passionate about your work and you love what you do,” Zeppos said.

After receiving his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University, Lovensheimer joined the Blair School of Music faculty in 2002.

“Jim is very generous with students both individually and collectively, both with classes at Blair and classes outside Blair,” said Blair Dean Mark Wait. “He offers a very scintillating class for non-majors and yet creates very sophisticated and elegant classes for music majors.

“He’s terrific,” says Wait. “Blair and Vanderbilt are lucky to have him.”

Established by the Nashville Vanderbilt Club in 1963, the Chancellor’s Cup is presented by the Chancellor and the president of the Club during Homecoming week in the fall. The award consists of a cash prize of $2,500 contributed by the Club, an engraved pewter cup as a permanent trophy and one year's custody of a silver bowl by Tiffany bearing the names of all recipients since 1963.

Full-time faculty in all undergraduate schools who are actively engaged in teaching are eligible. Selection is made by the Chancellor on the basis of recommendations submitted by Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, deans of the undergraduate schools, and administrators in the Office of the Dean of Students.


Contact: Missy Pankake, (615) 322-NEWS
Missy.pankake@vanderbilt.edu