December 16, 2024

As we wrap up 2024, we have so many dynamic highlights lighting up our year! Take a look at some of our favorite firework moments that matter most to the Vanderbilt community.

Josh Raymond gives the Vanderbilt hand sign to the camera to celebrate the football team win over Alabama.

Vandy beats No. 1!

Two Vanderbilt programs defeated the nation’s No. 1 team. The football team secured a historic victory over Alabama and the women's soccer team beat Florida State on penalty kicks in the NCAA tournament.

Watch Commodore Nation's reaction to the football team's win over Alabama

Watch the final moments of the soccer team's win over Florida State

Growth initiatives

Vanderbilt took our motto Crescere aude, Latin for “dare to grow,” literally in 2024! Vanderbilt announced plans to expand their presence in the U.S. In the words of Chancellor Diermeier, these efforts are part of an ongoing strategy to “bring the world to Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt to the world." Key goals are to expand Vanderbilt’s impact and further our mission with opportunities for students, faculty, alumni and supporters in these areas.

Watch the video announcing Vanderbilt's plans for an enhanced presence in New York City

Guests attend the announcement event for the university's enhanced New York City presence.

Top left: John Jumper, Bottom left: Jon Meacham, Right: Keivan Stassun

Luminaries earn world's most prestigious awards

Vanderbilt scholars achieved an unprecedented trifecta of prestigious global awards in 2024. John Jumper (BS’07) earned the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his protein structure research. Jon Meacham received the National Humanities Medal from President Biden for broadening public engagement with history. Keivan Stassun won a MacArthur "genius" grant for work in astrophysics, autism and inclusive education.

Watch Jumper's reaction to receiving a Nobel Prize

Watch Stassun's walk-and-talk interview

Commencement

During Commencement 2024 on May 10, Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier called the Class of 2024 his “hero class” for their resilience in enduring a stunted high school exit and first-year college experience because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The undergraduate celebration was also held in a unique location, Nashville’s GEODIS Park. Watch all the highlights from a weekend of celebrations below!

Watch the 2024 Commencement recap

Watch an Instagram reel commemorating the Class of 2024's journey at Vanderbilt

Students hold their diplomas and smile while confetti releases overhead at 2024 Commencement.

College of Connected Computing

To provide more students with the skills and credentials needed in a society shaped by technology, Vanderbilt announced plans to establish the College of Connected Computing, the university’s first new college in 40 years. This new, interdisciplinary college will advance breakthrough discoveries and strengthen computing education for every student through a “computing for all” approach.

Dare to Grow successes

In November, Vanderbilt’s Dare to Grow campaign eclipsed its $3.2 billion fundraising goal, 20 months ahead of its target date! The campaign has already had a profound impact on the Vanderbilt community and beyond with Opportunity Vanderbilt scholarships, research, improved facilities and the launch of numerous programs. See how alumni, supporters, faculty and staff have come together, and learn more about the future vision for this campaign.

Watch the Dare to Grow Atlanta event recap, highlighting one of the many Dare to Grow events hosted across the country in 2024

Alumni and supporters attend Dare to Grow events.

Dialogue Vanderbilt

In a year during which opinions were sometimes louder than civil discussions, the university focused on building more open dialogue and engaged citizens through Dialogue Vanderbilt. Experts from on campus and around the world joined special events to talk through tough issues and help grow a vibrant culture of civil discourse and free expression.

Learn more about Dialogue Vanderbilt

Check out the Dialogue Vanderbilt upcoming events calendar

West End Neighborhood growth

The Vanderbilt skyline and the West End Neighborhood hit an exciting milestone in 2024 with the completion of the 12-year FutureVU West End Neighborhood growth project. Project goals included crafting innovative spaces for teaching, research and service, and prioritizing inclusivity and sustainability. Watch videos and read stories about how the area transformed.

Watch a fast facts video about West End Neighborhood

Watch the grand opening video for Carmichael College, the newest residence hall in West End Neighborhood

Top left: Dean Rose, Top right: Dean McNamara, Bottom left: Sydney Savion, Bottom right: Coach Byington

New faces in leadership

New faces entered leadership roles throughout the university in 2024. Professor Melissa Rose and Professor Tim McNamara were appointed as deans in the Blair School of Music and the College of Arts and Science. Sydney Savion began work as the vice chancellor for the new People, Culture and Belonging division. Mark Byington started as the new men’s basketball head coach.

Learn more about Dean Rose

Learn more about Dean McNamara

Learn more about Sydney Savion and the new People, Culture and Belonging division

Watch a video about Moments that Matter, the newest campaign launched by People, Culture and Belonging

Learn more about Coach Byington

Welcome Week is

“Hot to Go”!

After students’ suitcases were unpacked and loved ones gave final hugs, Welcome Week 2024 jumped into full swing. See how Vandy rolled out the black and gold carpet for new and returning students. And watch the viral video from the Class of 2028 with 7.5 million views and counting, becoming VU’s most-liked, most-viewed, most-shared, most-saved post of all time!

Watch the viral "Hot to Go!" Instagram reel

Watch the Vanderbilt Move-In recap

Watch highlights from Founders Walk

Catch a glimpse of first-day-of-class festivities

Students watch fireworks after 2024 Founders Walk

Conquer and Prevail Pale Ale

Cheers to 2024 and a partnership between Jackalope Brewing founder Bailey Spaulding, JD’09, and Vanderbilt on a new craft brew, Conquer and Prevail Pale Ale! The pale ale pays homage to Vanderbilt’s alma mater and is now available for shipping to 46 states and Washington, D.C.

Watch the video about the creation of Conquer and Prevail Pale Ale

Institute of National Security launch

Vanderbilt advanced its strong collaborations with the defense and aerospace communities and cyber domain and launched the Institute of National Security. It’s led by Paul M. Nakasone, former director of the National Security Agency, former commander of U.S. Cyber Command and retired four-star general, along with Doug Adams, Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The institute will help combat evolving security threats and develop the next generation of national security leaders.

Check out the institute's website

Watch the institute's Nashville launch video

Watch the institute's Washington, D.C., launch video

Launch day for the Institute of National Security

The top photo shows the new Vanderbilt Golf House, and the bottom photo shows the new Huber Center at FirstBank Stadium

Vandy United

The Vandy United campaign’s ongoing commitment to reimagining the footprint of Vanderbilt Athletics hit multiple milestones in 2024. The Huber Center in the north end zone of FirstBank Stadium opened as the new home of the men's and women's basketball teams. In addition, the new Vanderbilt Golf House was completed at Vanderbilt Legends Club. Check out future plans for Vandy United!

Family and Reunion Weekends

Big hugs and even bigger celebrations filled this year’s Family and Reunion weekends. Watch the highlights as nearly 4,200 parents, grandparents, siblings and friends made September’s Family Weekend one of the most successful in recent memory. The party lasted all weekend long at Reunion 2024 later in November! More than 3,500 alumni joined for 85 events designed to deepen connections, provide insights on current issues and celebrate class years ending in 4 and 9.

Watch the Family Weekend recap

Watch the Reunion recap video

Parents, students and alumni attend Family and Reunion Weekends.

Innovative research pays dividends

Launched in 2022 with an $80 million commitment, Discovery Vanderbilt funds research to help humanity thrive. In 2024, internal research grants returned up to 17.5x on their investment in outside funds, including Professor Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons' $1M Mellon Foundation grant for the Engine for Art, Democracy and Justice. Additionally, VU’s research scope expanded with three new institutes: Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy and Climate (VSEC), Vanderbilt Lab for Immersive AI Translation (VALIANT), and The Roberts Academy and Dyslexia Center.

Check out the Vanderbilt Research News page