Vanderbilt University has hired Matthew Redd as its director of commencement. In this role, Redd will oversee the university’s three days of events each year that culminate in Commencement exercises held the second Friday in May.
THE PARTY, an outdoor event for graduates, their families and friends, is held on Wednesday evening. The Senior Class Day address is held on Thursday and has featured speakers such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, First Lady Laura Bush and Vanderbilt alumnus and Nobel Prize recipient Muhammad Yunus, who is also among the 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
Each year, Vanderbilt’s Senior Class Day speaker is awarded The Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal, which includes a cash prize. The medal is one of the university’s highest honors and is given to individuals who define the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. It was created and endowed by Vanderbilt Law School graduate Ed Nichols and his wife, Janice, in honor of Edward Carmack and Lucile Hamby Nichols.
Vanderbilt expects more than 15,000 guests each year for Commencement.
Redd joins the university from Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center where he worked as an event specialist planning more than 80 events a year for 3,500 employees. His experience also includes serving as promotion coordinator for the United Methodist Publishing House and as an account executive for the Nashville Scene newspaper.
He spent two years working in Garmisch, Germany, as a youth and child program administrator for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Redd holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University.
Media Contact: Princine Lewis, (615) 322-NEWS
princine.l.lewis@vanderbilt.edu