I’ve been fortunate to know and experience this great institution from many perspectives: as a student, member of staff, parent, faculty member, alumni volunteer—even as a patient. In each of these roles, I’ve come to understand more deeply the needs, concerns, hopes and contributions that bind the Vanderbilt community—on and off campus—in its pursuit of excellence.
During the past six years, my predecessors and fellow board members have built a new foundation for our association. Through their initiatives we’ve revitalized our chapters and become engaged with students in more meaningful ways. We’ve revamped our governance and restructured our board to create a more agile, active leadership team. And we’ve developed the association’s first-ever strategic plan to strengthen alumni engagement.
I believe these changes will encourage and enable alumni to benefit from their continuing association with Vanderbilt and play a more active, purposeful role in the life of the university.
We have today what I believe is the strongest, most committed volunteer leadership team our association has ever assembled, including seven outstanding new directors, as well as a talented, dedicated professional staff. Our challenge now is to ensure these initiatives bear fruit—for alumni and for Vanderbilt.
As we move forward with that purpose in mind, I welcome your support and advocacy in making both our association and the university we love stronger institutions. And as I take up my duties as your president, I also welcome your thoughts, suggestions and ideas. Most of all, I ask for your engagement. Although we are Vanderbilt’s largest and most diverse constituency, only through individual involvement can we make the greatest difference together.
JOHN HINDLE, BA’68, PhD’81
President, Vanderbilt University Alumni Association
john.hindle@vanderbilt.edu
Vanderbilt University Alumni Association Board of Directors
Executive Committee
- John Hindle, BA’68, PhD’81, president
- Carroll Kimball, BA’84, president-elect/vice president
- Billy Ray Caldwell, BA’85, immediate past president
- Nelson Andrews III, BA’89, EMBA’95
- Elizabeth Gerken, BE’90, MBA’92
- Bond Payne, BA’92
- Patricia White, BA’76
- James Stofan, associate vice chancellor for alumni relations