Vanderbilt University honored 32 retiring faculty members on May 9 for their years of service by bestowing upon them the title of emerita or emeritus faculty during Vanderbilt’s Commencement ceremony at GEODIS Park. Two outgoing deans also were recognized for service to the university.
A faculty member who has served the university with distinction over a period of years and whose status remains active until retirement, may, upon recommendation of the appropriate dean and the chancellor, be awarded the title “emeritus” or “emerita” by the Board of Trust.
Read more about Vanderbilt’s emeritus and emerita professors and deans for 2025.
Douglas Kilpatrick Abbot
Associate Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences
Naji N. Abumrad
Professor Emeritus of Surgery
Thomas M. Aune
Professor Emeritus of Medicine
Mary Margaret Chren
Robert N. and Rachelle Buchanan and A.H. and Lucile Lancaster Chair in Dermatology Emerita and Professor Emerita of Dermatology
David A. Cole
Patricia and Rodes Hart Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Human Development
Mark R. Denison
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Marshall C. Eakin
Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of History
Phillip Franck
Professor Emeritus of Theatre
Kathy L. Gaca
Associate Professor Emerita of Classical and Mediterranean Studies
Douglas C. Heimburger
Professor Emeritus of Medicine
Michael P. Hodges
Professor Emeritus of Philosophy
James A. Johns
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Rebecca R. Keck
Senior Associate Dean Emerita for Administration
Nancy J. King
Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Professor of Law Emerita and Professor Emerita of Law
Karen Ann Krieger
Associate Professor Emerita of Piano
Peter Lake
Martha Rivers Ingram Chair of History Emeritus, University Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus, and University Distinguished Professor of the History of Christianity Emeritus
Jonathan Lamb
Professor Emeritus of English
Robert F. Miller
Professor Emeritus of Medicine
Bridget E. Orr
Professor Emerita of English
Douglas D. Perkins
Professor Emeritus of Human and Organizational Development
David H. Price
Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies
Wayne A. Ray
Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine
Nancy B. Reisman
Professor Emerita of English
Ann Richmond
Professor Emerita of Pharmacology
Edward B. Saff
Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Mathematics
Herwig J. Schlunk
Professor Emeritus of Law
Mavis N. Schorn
Senior Associate Dean Emerita for Academics
John S. Sergent
Professor Emeritus of Medicine
David Shaffer
Professor Emeritus of Surgery
Sharon L. Shields
Professor Emerita of Human and Organizational Development
Marybeth Shinn
Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair Emerita and Professor Emerita of Human and Organizational Development
Daniel H. Usner
Holland N. McTyeire Professor of History Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of History
Robert E. Whaley
Valere Blair Potter Professor of Finance Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Management
John D. York
Natalie Overall Warren Chair in Biochemistry Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry
