Class Of 2017

When Syrian native Musbah Shaheen, BA’17, traveled to the U.S. for the first time to attend Vanderbilt, he had no idea how the university’s cornerstone philosophies of equity, diversity and belonging would stretch him personally or shape his professional future and Ph.D. research. Read More

The Young Composer Showcase spotlights young jazz composers, giving students an opportunity to have an original composition recognized and performed at an International level. Read More

When she was 3 years old, a dose of Children’s Motrin triggered a rare life-threatening allergic reaction in Stephanie Zundel, resulting in blindness. But this medical crisis was no match for Zundel’s competitive spirit. Just before graduating from Vanderbilt in May as a child studies major, she completed the Boston Marathon. Read More

On Tuesday, Vanderbilt hosted an "alternative graduation" for a dozen student-athletes who missed last week's Commencement ceremonies due to athletic obligations. Read More

The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Latino and Latina Studies and the Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students presented Sí Se Pudo 2017, Vanderbilt’s inaugural Latinx graduation ceremony, on May 11 in the Central Library Community Room. Read More

Damp weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of Class of 2017 members on Friday, May 12, when Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos presided over Commencement exercises and nearly 4,000 undergraduates, graduate and professional students received diplomas. Read More

Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos reminded graduates at Vanderbilt’s Commencement May 12 that the university, the faculty and their classmates will continue to have an enduring influence on their lives. Read More

It was a double celebration at Vanderbilt University’s Commencement for alumnus Jim Cheshire. He marched in the procession May 12 along with other members of the Class of 1967 to mark the 50th anniversary of his graduation. His granddaughter Rachel Riendeau marched as well, receiving her bachelor’s degree along with 1,736 other members of the Class of 2017. Read More

Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos awarded the top scholars from each of the university’s undergraduate and professional schools with Founder’s Medals during Commencement on Friday, May 12. Read More

Ro Coleman would be wise to bring a box of Kleenex with him to Commencement. “When I walk across that stage and see that piece of paper,” Coleman said, “that’s when I might break down.” Read More

During her pre-med studies as a student-athlete at Vanderbilt, Georgina Sellyn spent hours shadowing doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. That experience helped the fifth-year senior on the Commodore tennis team develop an affinity for surgery. Read More

When Akaninyene Ruffin was announced as Vanderbilt’s Outstanding Senior for 2016-17 during Homecoming last fall, it marked a long journey from freshman year, when she struggled to make friends and suspected her African American heritage rendered her invisible to some of her peers. Read More

Moving a mile and a half of PVC pipe along unpaved, winding roads in a small pickup truck—in a foreign country, no less—is no easy task. Ryan Sullivan, known as “Sully” to his professors and friends, knows this firsthand. Read More

When Jacob Schultz learned the U.S. Navy had awarded him a prestigious Health Professions Scholarship to medical school, he didn’t tell his family—at least not immediately. Four days later, Schultz, a senior snapper on Vanderbilt’s football team, also learned he’d been accepted into Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine. Read More

Ken Burns, Vanderbilt University’s 2017 Nichols-Chancellor's Medalist and Senior Day speaker, took a break last month from editing his upcoming film, "Country Music," to talk with MyVU and share his insights on filmmaking, where America stands today, and some contemplative thoughts for seniors on the cusp of Commencement. Read More

When China native Cici Xuning Zhang first started searching for colleges, a university in Nashville, Tennessee—or even one in the United States—was far from her mind. Then an iconic image of Vanderbilt’s Kirkland Hall popped up on her computer screen. Read More

Growing up in Homs, Syria, Musbah Shaheen excelled in science, eventually enrolling at Damascus University Medical College at 17. After two years, he wanted to “stow away” that chapter of his life in the war-ravaged nation and explore something different. Read More

Nearly 4,000 graduates from 76 countries are being awarded 36 different degrees during Vanderbilt's 2017 Commencement on Friday, May 12. Read More

The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Latino and Latina Studies and the Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students present the 2017 Sí Se Pudo Ceremony for the Latinx community. The event will take place Thursday, May 11, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the Central Library Community Room. All are invited for this celebratory event recognizing Vanderbilt's 2017 Latinx graduates. Read More