More than 5,700 parents, grandparents and siblings filled campus Sept. 18-20 for a record Family Weekend, from reunions at check-in to a packed Nashville Songwriters Night under the tent to a last-second Commodores win over NC State.
The record turnout reflects something that sets Vanderbilt apart: Parents here are full members of the university community. They give through philanthropy, volunteer their time and expertise, open doors to internships and careers for students, and cheer on the Commodores as full Dores.
From updates with the chancellor on Vanderbilt’s vision and priorities to a first look at the College of Connected Computing, Family Weekend 2026 showed families a university that is growing and leading with its values.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Between reunions, families had their pick of events all weekend. They enjoyed a Nashville songwriters night, a jazz concert at Blair School of Music, a Campus Dining cooking demonstration, interactive tours of the Wond’ry, Vanderbilt’s Center for Innovation and Design, new exhibits at the Vanderbilt University Museum of Art, arboretum tours and more.
Students also hosted a special Grandparents Social and Tea for the large contingent of grandparents who joined the festivities.
GAME DAY SURPRISE
Vanderbilt’s football student-athletes gave fans and visiting families a phenomenal adrenaline rush at the end of Saturday’s matchup against North Carolina State with a stunning last-second win.
VANDERBILT’S VISION
University leaders shared updates and insights into Vanderbilt’s vision and priorities in three key categories: culture, community and ambitious projects.
“The university is thriving by every measure, and the value of a Vanderbilt education has gone through the roof,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said.
Vanderbilt families are a big part of that support.
Diermeier talked about Vanderbilt’s values tied to civil discourse and creating an educational environment where students can freely debate ideas within a respectful shared community.
He also talked about the university’s investment in academic and athletic growth. The launch of Vanderbilt University–New York City was presented as the most recent example of Vanderbilt’s bold growth initiatives plan to become a single university spanning major cities, with each campus bringing its own strengths and connections to a broader network. For students, that network means more places to learn, intern and launch careers. For parents, it means more ways to open doors for them.
Other events expanded on those themes, including a conversation with College of Connected Computing Dean Matthew Johnson-Roberson on the future of technology and careers.
At a luncheon for parent leaders, Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director, and women’s basketball head coach Shea Ralph joined ABC anchor Lara Spencer to discuss the vision for the future of Vanderbilt athletics.
SPECIAL HONOR
During a Family Weekend event at Vanderbilt Chabad, Diermeier, Vice Chancellor for Operations and the Campus Network Darren Reisberg and Rabbi Shlomo Rothstein, director of Rohr Chabad at Vanderbilt, received the Nimoy-Knight Foundation’s Live Long and Prosper Tribute Award. It recognizes “individuals and organizations that embody the spirit of Leonard Nimoy’s message of hope, logic and service to others.”
- Parents and families can learn more about getting involved at Vanderbilt at vanderbilt.edu/families/get-involved
- Learn more about Vanderbilt’s growth initiatives
