Dear Vanderbilt community,
I hope you are having a productive and rewarding fall. Our students are coming back today from fall break, and thousands of our alumni are still reflecting on the wonderful Reunion and Homecoming weekend we celebrated together earlier this month. As those who had not been to campus in some time remarked throughout that weekend, so much has changed—from our new residential colleges and beautiful new Fleming Yard patio outside Sarratt|Rand, to our exciting innovation center, The Wond’ry. I also heard many heartfelt reminiscences about the connections and friendships that we forged and are forging at Vanderbilt that continue to enrich our lives.
This strong sense of community and connection to mission is guiding our Chancellor’s Search process. I write to you today to share that our search for Vanderbilt’s ninth chancellor is proceeding on schedule. As I mentioned previously, we are now in the confidential phase of the search. The Chancellor Search Committee—comprising current and emerita members of the Board of Trust, many of whom are Vanderbilt alumni and parents, as well as faculty and staff representatives—is now meeting with candidates. At the conclusion of this part of the process, the committee will make its recommendation on the university’s next leader to the full Board of Trust.
Throughout this process, we continue to be guided by the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee report, which captured the comments and feedback we heard from so many of you, either in person in listening sessions or town halls or through the Chancellor Search feedback form. What has also been extraordinarily clear, from our interactions with you and with prospective candidates, is that Vanderbilt is in its strongest position in its 146-year history and that our next chancellor will be at the helm for our most exciting and dynamic time ever.
Thank you for your continued engagement in this process and for all that you bring to our remarkable academic community.
Sincerely,
Bruce R. Evans
Chairman, Vanderbilt University Board of Trust