MyVU Latest Headlines

More than 1,600 first-year students were asked to interview someone in their community who could deepen, broaden or shift their understanding of the world—and to document the experience through a written story or reflection. This exercise, the first of its kind at Vanderbilt, drew a response that was nothing short of extraordinary.   Read More

Vanderbilt student Tyler Hwang, a sophomore double majoring in chemical engineering and economics, nailed a 33-yard field goal to win Pat McAfee’s weekly kicking contest on ESPN’s College Gameday, which Vanderbilt hosted on campus October 25. In addition to winning the $500,000 award, Hwang also receives $250,000 for the charity of his choice. Read More

Collaboration, community and love for the written word were celebrated at the 2025 Southern Festival of Books, presented by Vanderbilt University in partnership with Humanities Tennessee Oct. 18–19 in downtown Nashville. The free event, the 37th in festival history, brought hundreds of prominent national authors together in dialogue with fellow writers, readers and thousands of Middle Tennesseans. It also marked the first year of an expanded partnership between the festival and Vanderbilt, evidence of the university’s deepening investment in the cultural fabric of the region. Read More

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier was inducted into the White Rose Society on Sunday, October 12, by alumni and Vanderbilt parents Justin and Mara Berman in the Zeppos Great Room. The society recognizes non-Jewish individuals who exemplify moral courage and a steadfast commitment to justice. The chancellor was also recognized by The Rohr Chabad House and Lubeck Center for Jewish Life at Vanderbilt University during its Lamplighter Award Ceremony and Shabbat Dinner on Sept. 19. Read More

Political propaganda and artificial intelligence–driven misinformation are infiltrating social media accounts, and Americans need to do something about it. That’s the warning revealed in research from two Vanderbilt professors and discussed on this special episode of the Quantum Potential podcast. Read More

Jennifer and Marc Lipschultz have committed a landmark collection of nearly 5,000 photographs, featuring work from hundreds of photographers including Bill Owens, Danny Lyon, Berenice Abbott, Lalla Essaydi and Dorothy Norman, to the Vanderbilt University Museum of Art. In addition to its unique emphasis on photojournalism—including iconic wire press photos from WWII, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement and beyond—the collection also spans urban street photography, portraits and other themes that are ideal for inspiring student immersion and a range of programming. Read More

Starting in October 2025, the Center for Global Democracy, with support from the Kellogg Institute, will conduct the 2025/26 round of the AmericasBarometer, which tracks public opinion on democracy in 20 countries across the Americas. The initiative builds on the Center for Global Democracy’s expertise in survey research while drawing on the Kellogg Institute’s long-standing strength in the study of democracy in Latin America. Read More

Vanderbilt University has joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, aiming to address middle Tennessee’s growing technology talent demand, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence and cloud computing skills. The program offers faculty from area universities access to content for their courses related to AI, cloud development and cybersecurity as well as access to experiential learning opportunities for their students. Read More

Vanderbilt University announced nine recipients of the Innovation Catalyst Fund awards for the June 2025 cycle, continuing its mission of accelerating translational research and driving innovative solutions to real-world challenges by providing faculty with crucial pre-seed funding across diverse disciplines.  The newly selected projects span cutting-edge work in health care, engineering and technology solutions. Read More

The 2025 Southern Festival of Books, presented by Vanderbilt University in partnership with Humanities Tennessee, will connect faculty, students, alumni and others with university ties to a vast community that shares their love for creative expression. The festival, now in its 37th year, will be at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee State Library and Archives Oct. 18–19. Admission is free. Read More

A national search is underway for Vanderbilt’s next vice provost for research and innovation. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver has appointed a committee to identify candidates for the university’s new chief research officer, who will begin their appointment early in 2026. Read More

"Hosting Nissha Medical Technologies at the former site of our Stadium Club on West End Avenue will give our faculty and students extraordinary new opportunities to work with a leader in advancing medical devices—a strategic research priority for Vanderbilt and our region," Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said during a news conference on campus announcing the partnership. Read More

A transformative gift from Vanderbilt parents Laurel and Cliff Asness of Greenwich, Connecticut, to the Vanderbilt Institute of National Security and the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will have a significant impact on the future of national security and neurodiversity. The gift highlights the extraordinary support of the Vanderbilt community and underscores the ongoing momentum of the university’s historic Dare to Grow campaign which surpassed its original goal of $3.2 billion 20 months ahead of schedule. Read More

Kevin M. Stack, Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Professor of Law, is the new senior associate provost for Vanderbilt University–New York City. Working in collaboration with Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives James Kellerhouse, Stack will oversee academic affairs for Vanderbilt’s New York City campus. Read More

The Mid-South I-Corps Hub, one of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps Hubs led by Vanderbilt, is proud to welcome the University of Arkansas as its newest participating institution, marking the next stage in a regional partnership built on innovation and shared vision.  Read More

V150 continues with a celebratory roster of events commemorating the university’s opening in 1875. The slate of fall festivities kicks off with Arthur Brooks’ Commodore Classroom on Sept. 19, continues with the V150 Sesquicentennial Ceremony and Celebration on Oct. 3 and culminates in a star-studded concert on Nov. 9 featuring headliners Brandi Carlile and Alabama Shakes. Read More

Following the successful relaunch of Vanderbilt’s E-Waste Drop-Off events in FY25, VUIT is excited to announce a new, permanent drop-off location at the Hill Center for smaller e-waste items. Faculty, staff and students can now responsibly recycle eligible electronics Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Read More

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to reflect on the importance of connection, awareness and support in our communities. Being a member of VU’s Community of Care means noticing when someone might need help and taking action with compassion. Asking important questions and connecting others to resources helps prevent harm and ensures that every member of our community feels seen, supported and valued. Read More

The Vanderbilt Innovation Catalyst Fund, launched in 2023, bridges the gap between academic research and real-world applications by supporting projects with commercial and societal potential. To date, the fund has completed six award cycles, distributing 39 grants to VU and VUMC awardees across diverse disciplines. Read More

Vanderbilt University and England’s University of Liverpool have announced the inaugural recipients of a new joint seed grant program, which supports faculty teams pursuing innovative projects designed to grow into larger collaborations and external funding.  Read More