The University named Ronald Vanden Dorpel '71 A.M. to the new position of senior vice president for advancement, bringing fund-raising and alumni relations under one leader . Rush Hour star Chris Tucker talked to a theater arts class this spring when he came to campus at the invitation of President Simmons.... Donald J. Marsh, dean of medicine and biological sciences, announced his plans to step down and retire; Richard W. Besdine, who is the David S. Green Professor of Geriatric Medicine, was named interim dean.... Peder Estrup, dean of the Graduate School and research, will also step down; he will return to the faculty, and the deanship will be split into two jobs.... Brown asked a consultant how to make Thayer Street more inviting.