After students’ suitcases were unpacked and loved ones gave their final hugs, the Vanderbilt welcome went into full swing! The university, along with its numerous support centers, groups and organizations, rolled out the black and gold carpet all week and through the weekend to help new and returning students experience how valued they are to the Vanderbilt community.
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
First day of class for the 2023-24 school year (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
BCC FAMILY WELCOME & HARAMBEE MARCH
Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center Harambee March (Joe Howell/Vanderbilt)
The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center joined the Welcome Week celebrations with a Family Welcome and Harambee March. This cultural and community-building program celebrates Vanderbilt’s culturally and racially diverse campus.
First-year students who participated were welcomed by BCC Director and Assistant Dean of Residential Colleges Rosevelt Noble, upper-division students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center joined the Welcome Week celebrations with a Family Welcome and Harambee March on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 (Joe Howell)
New students and their families were welcomed to Harambee at the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center on Aug. 19, 2023 (Joe Howell)
The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center joined the Move-In celebrations with a Family Welcome and Harambee March on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Joe Howell)
The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center joined the Welcome Week celebrations with a Family Welcome and Harambee March on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Joe Howell)
New students and their families were welcomed to Harambee at the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center on Aug. 19, 2023. (Joe Howell)
Rosevelt Noble, director of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center and assistant dean of residential colleges, talks to students and families at the Harambee March on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Joe Howell)
The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center hosts discussion for first-year students and families at Harambee. (Joe Howell)
2023 transfer students gather for their “V” group photo on Hawkins Field. (John Amis)
TRANSFER STUDENT WELCOME
Vanderbilt’s newest transfer students came together for a special celebration on Sunday night as they made Vanderbilt their new home away from home.
The group also took a special “V” photo to commemorate their transition to Vanderbilt.
2023 transfer students attend a social and gather for their “V” group photo on Hawkins Field on Aug. 19. (John Amis)
VandyBoys baseball coach Tim Corbin talks with transfer students. (John Amis)
2023 transfer students attend a social and gather for their “V” group photo on Hawkins Field. (John Amis)
2023 transfer students have fun at their welcome event on Hawkins Field. (John Amis)
New transfer students gathered for this “V” group photo on Aug. 19, 2023. (Vanderbilt)
2023 transfer students gather for their “V” group photo on Hawkins Field. (John Amis)
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT CEREMONY
Since the first classes began at Vanderbilt in 1875, the Honor System has served to strengthen the academic integrity of the university. During the Community Commitment ceremony, new students vow to follow the Vanderbilt Community Creed—a student-initiated statement of the values to which the Vanderbilt community aspires.
Students in the Class of 2027 sign the Vanderbilt Honor Code Pledge. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Students in the Class of 2027 sign the Vanderbilt Honor Code Pledge. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
CLASS OF 2027 PHOTO
Vanderbilt students have taken part in this favorite Vanderbilt tradition of making their graduating class date since the opening of The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons almost two decades ago.
Class of 2027 photo on Commons Lawn during Welcome Week (John Russell/Vanderbilt)
MAKING THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES SPECIAL
First day of classes for the fall semester (John Russell/Vanderbilt)
On the first day of classes, students across campus were celebrated with coffee drinks, snacks, first-day photos and fun swag to start off the academic year with Commodore pride!
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and students receive iced coffees and fun Vanderbilt swag to recognize the first day of classes for the fall semester. (John Russell/Vanderbilt)
Vandy Campus Dining volunteers hand out fun gifts to celebrate the first day of classes for the fall semester. (John Russell/Vanderbilt)
First-day selfie with Mr. C for the win! (John Russell/Vanderbilt)
Students filled out stamped postcards to send home to family as part of the first day of classes festivities. (John Russell/Vanderbilt)
Students receive iced coffees, Vandy gifts and big smiles to smooth out first-day jitters. (John Russell/Vanderbilt)
First day of classes for the fall semester (John Russell/Vanderbilt)
STUDENTS GET INVOLVED!
Students representing dozens of student organizations, cultural and faith-based groups, political groups, pre-professional societies, club sports, research groups, student leadership organizations and more filled the Recreation and Wellness Center for the Student Involvement Fair. A full directory of current student organizations is available online.
Students find out about the many opportunities available for involvement at the Student Involvement Fair. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Students find out about the many opportunities available for involvement at the Student Involvement Fair. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Students find out about the many opportunities available for involvement at the Student Involvement Fair. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Students find out about the many opportunities available for involvement at the Student Involvement Fair. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
GRADUATE SCHOOL CONVOCATION
Convocation is a signature celebration marking the beginning of graduate school students’ academic journey at Vanderbilt. Graduate students were celebrated as the future of research and discovery. Students heard from leaders, including Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School André Christie-Mizell, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Cybele Raver.
C. Cybele Raver, vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, speaks at the Graduate School Convocation 2023. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier speaks at the Graduate School Convocation 2023. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
New graduate students attend the Graduate School Convocation 2023. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Graduate School Convocation 2023 (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
GRADUATE SCHOOL RESOURCE FAIR
More than 400 graduate students came through Alumni Hall to meet each other and learn about resources that will help them as they pursue their Vanderbilt studies. Information included graduate student services, career development, information about health insurance and mental health, services from the Writing Center, clubs and organizations for graduate students to join and more.
Graduate school resource fair in Alumni Hall. (Submitted photo)
Graduate School Info Fair 2023 at Alumni Hall. (Ann Raynor/Vanderbilt)
Graduate School Info Fair 2023 at Alumni Hall. (Ann Raynor/Vanderbilt)
Graduate School Info Fair 2023 at Alumni Hall. (Ann Raynor/Vanderbilt)
Graduate School Info Fair 2023 at Alumni Hall. (Ann Raynor/Vanderbilt)
Graduate School Info Fair 2023 at Alumni Hall. (Ann Raynor/Vanderbilt)
SOPHOMORE RECHARGE
Vanderbilt’s second-year undergraduates had a special celebration of their own. The students in the Class of 2026 reconnected on Alumni Lawn with food, games and more.
Sophomore Recharge party for class of 2026 to kick off the new school year. (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Sophomore Recharge Party for the Class of 2026 (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Sophomore Recharge Party for the Class of 2026 (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Sophomore Recharge Party for the Class of 2026 (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Sophomore Recharge Party for the Class of 2026 (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Sophomore Recharge Party for the Class of 2026 (Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Community and belonging are strong throughout Vanderbilt’s upper-division residential colleges. Faculty heads of college welcomed new and returning sophomores, juniors and seniors with food, community and fun.
Welcome back party for E. Bronson Ingram Residential College (John Amis)
Welcome back party for E. Bronson Ingram Residential College (John Amis)
Students celebrate their new home in Zeppos College. (John Amis)
Students celebrate their new home in Zeppos College. (John Amis)
Welcome back party at Moore Residential College (John Amis)
Welcome back party at Rothschild College within Warren Moore Residential College (John Amis)
Commodores fans at Vanderbilt versus Hawai’i, Aug. 26, 2023 (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
FIRST FOOTBALL GAME
New and returning Commodores fans came together at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday to cheer on Vanderbilt versus Hawai’i for the first game of the new season.
In support of recovery efforts after devastating wildfires on Maui, Vanderbilt Athletics has announced that a portion of proceeds from each ticket sold to the Commodores’ season-opening football game against Hawai’i will be donated to the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
Commodores fans filled the student section for the 2023 season opener against Hawai’i on Aug. 26. (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
Commodores fans came together at FirstBank Stadium Aug. 26, 2023, to cheer on Vanderbilt against Hawai’i for the first game of the new season. (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
Commodores fans at Vanderbilt versus Hawai’i on Aug. 26, 2023 (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
The Spirit of Gold Marching Band gears up for the Commodores’ first game of the 2023 season. (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
The Commodores win their season opener versus Hawai’i on Aug. 26, 2023. (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
Hawai’i coach Timmy Chang with Commodores coach Clark Lea. In support of recovery efforts after devastating wildfires on Maui, Vanderbilt Athletics gave a portion of proceeds from each season-opener ticket sold to the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
COMMODORE KICKOFF
A Vanderbilt tradition for first-year students took on a new “goal” as students in the Class of 2027 came together for dinner and a Commodores soccer game on Sunday evening against neighbor Belmont University.
A Vanderbilt tradition for first-year students took on a new “goal” as students in the Class of 2027 came together for a Commodores soccer game on Sunday evening against neighbor Belmont University. (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
Commodore Kickoff dinner for the Class of 2027 (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
Commodore Kickoff dinner for the Class of 2027 (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
A Vanderbilt tradition for first-year students took on a new “goal” as students in the class of 2027 came together for a Commodores soccer game on Sunday evening against neighbor Belmont University. (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
Commodore Kickoff dinner for the Class of 2027 (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
Melissa Gresalfi, dean of The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, and fellow faculty heads of house cheer on the Class of 2027 and Commodores soccer players. (Nick Hessler/Vanderbilt)
