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Downtown Nashville landmark to be lit in VU colors celebrating Class of 2020

Nashville's Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge. (Photo by Nathan Morgan for Vanderbilt University)
Nashville’s Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge. (Photo by Nathan Morgan for Vanderbilt University)

Nashville’s Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge will be lit in Vanderbilt University colors the evening of May 8, in celebration of—and in solidarity with—the graduating Class of 2020.

“I am so grateful to the city of Nashville for helping us recognize Vanderbilt’s Class of 2020 and our many remarkable graduates this year,” said Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente. “They have impacted our community not just through their scholarship and accomplishments, but also through their resilience and strength during these challenging times, which represent their final months as Vanderbilt students.”

The vehicular bridge, which spans the Cumberland River, will be lit in Vanderbilt colors beginning at dusk on May 8, the day originally scheduled for Vanderbilt’s 2020 Commencement exercises. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and need for social distancing, this year’s ceremonies have been postponed until May 2021, when Class of 2020 graduates will be welcomed back to campus for a special celebration honoring them.

The university has celebrated the Class of 2020 this week through a series of special videos and messages from across the campus community, including web stories and social media posts, that culminated in a special message from Wente on the morning of May 8.

For more information about Vanderbilt’s 2020 Commencement celebration, visit vanderbilt.edu/commencement.