NASHVILLE, Tenn.–The 130th anniversary of the founding of Vanderbilt University will be celebrated March 17 at 10 a.m. when the University’s leadership and other interested persons gather at the statue of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, which is located at the West End entrance to campus. During a special ceremony, representatives from the Vanderbilt Board of Trust, alumni and students will place a wreath at the foot of the statue of the Commodore, who gave the founding gift of $1 million to build and endow Vanderbilt in 1873.
The Kirkland Hall bell will ring continuously as the group takes a short walk across campus to the area known as Bishops’ Commons. Representatives of the Vanderbilt faculty and staff as well as a great-great granddaughter of Methodist Bishop Holland N. McTyeire will lay a wreath at the graves of Bishop McTyeire and his wife, Amelia Townsend McTyeire.
The celebration will conclude with a reception at Kirkland Hall, originally known as “Old Main” and the first building constructed on campus.
WHAT:Vanderbilt 130th anniversary celebration
WHERE:Kirkland esplanade at the West End Avenue entrance to campus; a limited number of visitor parking spaces are available on the esplanade and there are metered spaces along West End
WHEN:Monday, March 17, at 10 a.m.
Media contact: Ann Marie Owens, 615-322-NEWS, >annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu</a>