Asness Family Fund
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Meet the leaders shaping today’s security challenges at the Asness Summit
Vanderbilt University will host one of the nation’s leading forums on national security April 23–24 at The Pinnacle in downtown Nashville as the newly renamed Asness Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats returns for its fifth year—bringing together senior leaders from government, military, intelligence, technology and academia. The summit was renamed this year following a landmark $10 million gift from Cliff and Laurel Asness, reflecting its expanding reach and national significance. Read MoreApr 9, 2026
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$11.25M gift will propel efforts in national security research and neurodiverse innovation
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 MoreSep 25, 2025