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The world’s preeminent scholars of early American history convened at Vanderbilt University June 11–13 for the Omohundro Institute’s 29th annual conference, hosted by the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries. This premier gathering for historians and researchers who focus on American history through the early 19th century featured cutting-edge research, panels and workshops covering “Vast Early America”—that is, North America, the Caribbean and the Atlantic world. Read More

Check out the initial author lineup for the 2026 Southern Festival of Books! Read More

The eyes of some bats may help Vanderbilt researcher Gianni Castiglione develop new ways to protect human sight. Castiglione, assistant professor of biological sciences in the College of Arts and Science and assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences in the School of Medicine, has been named a Pew Biomedical Scholar. The award provides support to advance research that draws on evolutionary adaptations in animals to develop potential therapies for human disease.  Read More

Members of the Vanderbilt community gathered at Hawkins Field on Tuesday, June 16, to celebrate the topping out of its new right-field structure. The addition will house private suites, premium seating, two new bars and a new player pitching lab for the stadium that opened in 2002.  Read More

The western end of Garland Avenue will close from Monday, June 22, through Monday, Nov. 9, as crews install new thermal, storm, sanitary, electrical and telecommunications utilities. Read More

A new exhibit at the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries celebrates America’s semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—by exploring the United States’ formative years. 'Forging a Nation' will be on view through December 2026. Read More

Ellis Island Honors Society Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy awarded Billy Hudson, director of the Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology and the Elliott V. Newman Professor of Medicine, with a 2026 Ellis Island Medal of Honor on May 16 at a black-tie gala. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor rank among the nation’s most renowned awards, officially recognized by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with each year’s recipients listed in the Congressional Record. Read More

Anonymous donors have committed $25 million to build a bold new hub of innovation and discovery at Vanderbilt University—a multipurpose science facility that will shape the future of research and education on campus and beyond. Read More

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing respectful, community-engaged research and supporting Indigenous knowledge preservation. Read More

As a middle school math teacher on Chicago’s South Side, Chezare A. Warren, now associate professor of leadership, policy and organizations at Peabody College and principal investigator of The Possibilities Project, noticed something interesting. Read More

Class is almost in session, Commodores!  As excitement builds for the academic year, now is the perfect time to stock up on essentials and celebrate becoming part of the Vanderbilt family.  The Vanderbilt Incoming Families Shopping Guide is a curated collection of apparel, headwear, accessories, residence hall essentials and game day favorites for new… Read More

We all love to talk. But is language just a tool we use to communicate—or is it something more powerful? How does it impact democracy, identity and access? In this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Akshya Saxena, associate professor of English at Vanderbilt, and Provost C. Cybele Raver dig into the fascinating and layered history—and future—of language. Read More

Martin Egli, the Richard N. Armstrong, Ph.D. Professor of Innovation in Biochemistry and a professor of biochemistry at the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, delivered a Kairos Lecture on May 28. Egli’s work, which has resulted in over 300 publications and two influential nucleic acid textbooks, has advanced strategies to stabilize RNA for therapeutic applications, including siRNA. He has received major honors and extensively served his department and the university. Read More

The Vanderbilt rocket team captured its ninth payload design award and placed 2nd at the 2025-2026 University Student Launch Initiative competition conducted by the NASA Marshall Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Read More

Library professionals from across North America came together at Vanderbilt University May 27–29 for the 2026 Southern Library Support Staff Conference. This annual gathering, hosted by the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries, is designed to offer all levels of staff at academic, public, school and special libraries an opportunity to learn, teach, share and develop connections with others in their field. Read More

The inaugural program invites students to develop real companies designed to solve real-world business challenges from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, NASA, IBM, Xtremis and EPB.  Read More

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt invites the community to explore new ideas and connect with fellow lifelong learners through a wide-ranging lineup of summer courses for adults ages 50 and older. This summer’s offerings span history, literature, film, photography, wellness, gardening, religion and the arts. Participants can examine… Read More

Vanderbilt’s Innovation Ambassadors program provides faculty across Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center with peer guidance on innovation, intellectual property and commercialization. Through the Vanderbilt Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, faculty ambassadors help researchers explore how discoveries can move beyond the lab and into real-world application.  Read More

Vanderbilt University has named Elizabeth Zechmeister vice provost for graduate education and growth initiatives, dean of the Graduate School and the director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, effective July 1. Zechmeister succeeds C. André Christie-Mizell, whose five-year term as dean concludes June 30 after a period of devoted leadership and service to graduate education at Vanderbilt. Read More

In January, Vanderbilt expanded its multi-tool AI strategy, making ChatGPT EDU, Amplify 2.0 and Grow with Google available to eligible faculty, students and staff. Not sure which tool fits your needs? There are resources to help. Read More