On a balmy Sunday evening, the brassy sound of trumpets echoed across The Commons Lawn to signal to nearly 2,000 new students across Vanderbilt’s upper and lower quads that their symbolic walk from the undergraduate residential houses and colleges to Alumni Lawn was about to begin.
An annual tradition at Vanderbilt, Founders Walk celebrates the moment that first-year, transfer and Next Steps students officially begin their journey as members of the Vanderbilt University community. The celebratory procession, which took place Aug. 18, is the conclusion of Move-In Weekend.
After a communal dinner with newfound friends at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, students walked to Alumni Lawn in the soft glow of lanterns hanging from the campus’ stately trees and flickering electric candles grouped decoratively along the way.
At the end of the walk, a magical scene awaited students, with a grand entrance marked for each house amid twinkling lights woven through the lawn’s elms and oaks and melodic strains from a string quartet.
After the crowd settled into their seats, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver addressed them, speaking to her role as provost at Vanderbilt and the university’s high standards for admission.
“Let me assure you—none of you is here by chance. You were the 5.8 percent chosen from a pool of 45,904 applicants,” Raver said. “Tonight, we welcome 1,630 first-time-in-college students, 368 transfer students from 178 colleges and universities, and seven Next Steps students. You represent some of the brightest minds and most promising talents of your generation, and I want you to know: You made the right decision. You belong here at Vanderbilt.”
Raver then introduced Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, who welcomed students with an overview of the Founders Walk tradition.
“It is significant that, just like at Commencement, today’s occasion is one in which we all walk together. … We arrive—from diverse histories and with infinite possibilities before us—on the same path,” Diermeier said. “This is your symbolic initiation to Vanderbilt’s uniquely collaborative culture. It depicts how this community will always support you, wherever you choose to go.”
Diermeier also reinforced Vanderbilt’s commitment to free expression, citing three pillars for ensuring open discourse on campus, which include providing an open forum free from the threat of censorship, a policy of institutional neutrality that allows diverse voices to be heard free from a “party line,” and the encouragement of civil discourse.
After Diermeier’s remarks, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Melissa Gresalfi introduced the faculty heads of house, and Raver officially presented the incoming class to Diermeier.
“By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Board of Trust of Vanderbilt University, I welcome you to all of the responsibilities and privileges of a student at Vanderbilt University,” Diermeier said.
The evening ended with the concert choir performing the Vanderbilt alma mater and a brilliant fireworks display that culminated in a performance by the Spirit of Gold marching band.
