Vanderbilt University Graduate School faculty and staff welcomed more than 400 students to campus for New Student Orientation on Aug. 23. The day included a convocation in the Student Life Center, followed by an information fair and reception in Alumni Hall.
The convocation included a keynote address from Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Cybele Raver and Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School André Christie-Mizell also provided remarks.
“You will find here a culture that uniquely prizes collaboration, civil discourse and support for one another’s holistic well-being,” Diermeier said. “Vanderbilt is a place where standing together means as much as standing out. We don’t compete against each other so much as we compete against ourselves to attain our personal best.”
Raver meanwhile emphasized the importance of creating a diverse, inclusive community of scholars who work across disciplines to drive positive change in the world.
“We are committed to ushering in a new era of achievement at Vanderbilt and fostering an environment of transparency, inclusion and belonging that allows every member of our community to thrive,” Raver said. “No matter what your discipline is, I truly believe the work you do at Vanderbilt will make a profound and positive impact on humanity, no matter where your paths take you from here.”
Other speakers included John Geer, the Ginny and Conner Searcy Dean of the College of Arts and Science, Emilie Townes, dean of the Divinity School, and Assistant Professor of Nursing James Muchira.
Students had a chance to listen to classmates as well. Josh Passantino, a Ph.D. student and president of the Graduate Student Council, taught the new Commodores how to “Anchor Down” by walking through the traditional hand motion and cheer. Ph.D. student Kimberlyn Ellis emphasized the importance of finding mentors and utilizing Vanderbilt and Graduate School resources, such as Academic Life Coaching.
“I constantly utilized resources, such as Disability Services, the Counseling Center, and Stacey Satchell, one of the academic life coaches, to develop a tailored personal and academic plan to help me navigate any trials or dilemmas that arose,” Ellis said. “Graduate school is difficult, but with the unwavering support of my advisers, mentors and friends, I know that I can put my whole self into my research and be celebrated for the entirety of who I am.”
