An expected 1,701 undergraduates and 2,125 graduate students will receive degrees from Vanderbilt University today at ceremonies held across campus.
Watch a livestream of the ceremony on Alumni Lawn. >>
The main Commencement ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. on Alumni Lawn, with Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos addressing Class of 2019 graduates, their friends and family members. It will be Zeppos’ final Commencement as chancellor, having announced earlier this year that he will step down Aug. 15 and take a yearlong sabbatical before returning to the faculty as a law professor.
As part of its sustainability initiative, Vanderbilt will distribute 2,000 reusable water bottles and offer hydration stations for guests to fill their own reusable containers at the main Commencement ceremony, reducing thousands of single-use plastic water bottles at the event.
Undergraduates and their families are invited to join faculty, classmates and others at 12:15 p.m. for strawberries and champagne on Library Lawn. Near the strawberries and champagne tent, Barnes & Noble will host a pop-up shop. All in attendance are encouraged to stop by and view the selection of Vanderbilt University merchandise and apparel available for purchase.
Students and families are encouraged to share their Commencement excitement on social media using the hashtag #VU2019.