Nashvilleprofessionals, community notables and Vanderbilt faculty joined members of business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) last night to do what they do best: network.

Held at the Gulch's Agave Tequila Lounge, the downtown affair featured a 100 person crowd complete with light Mexican cuisine and cocktails.Featured companies included Tennessee Bank and Trust, Bohan Marketing, iDesign and Woodland Street Partners.

The event announced a new partnership between AKPsi and the Rob Bironas Fund.Tennessee Titans kicker Bironas started the organization to finance music education opportunities for Nashville students.

"This event is a good way for people to learn about AKPsi and also to support music education," said AKPsi Chief Development Officer and juniorMarni Pogachefsky."The Fund provides an important service to kids and families and also partners with several community organizations including the Symphony."

The partnership also builds community ties to Vanderbilt, enlarging professional networks available to students.

Pogachefsky said, "By hosting events like this, we are able to provide networking experiences for students, while simultaneously bringing together a wide range of networks from the business world."

A primary focus of the event was networking.Given the turbulent and uncertain job market, several members see Alpha Kappa Psi as a way to get their foot in the door and to gain meaningful business experience.

"This taught me how to work withothers and how to present myself in a business setting," said sophomore Brynna Ransom. "It opened my eyesto a completely new network of Vanderbilt students who are diligent andambitious."

-- Abraham Hanson

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