Class Of 2021

Growing up, Anana Upton, BS’21, spent endless hours in hospitals as her younger brother underwent care. That experience spurred a passionate drive in her to elevate the quality of health care available to underserved communities while also educating them about their medical choices and affording them the dignity they deserve. Read More

Anighya Crocker, BMus’21, came to Vanderbilt as a multiracial, first-generation college student with big dreams to serve the community through public office and music. His Vanderbilt experience as a double major in Law, History and Society and music performance has helped him to hone both of those dreams. Read More

Six students graduated from the Next Steps at Vanderbilt program as part of the Class of 2021 this May. Next Steps at Vanderbilt provides students with intellectual disability an inclusive, transformational higher education experience that embodies the values of equality, compassion and excellence in all endeavors. Read More

A number of Vanderbilt graduates participated in recognition ceremonies supported by the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence May 13–14 as part of the university’s 2021 Commencement celebrations. Read More

Read the full text and watch a video of Chancellor Daniel Diermeier's address to graduates of the Class of 2021 delivered at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, May 15. Read More

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier thanked the Class of 2021 for their leadership during a year like no other when he spoke at the university’s in-person and virtual Commencement at Vanderbilt Stadium May 15. Graduate and professional students also were honored during separate ceremonies across campus May 15 and 16. Read More

Nashville's Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge was lit in Vanderbilt University colors the evening of May 16 to cap a weekend of celebrations for the Class of 2021. Read More

The Founder’s Medalists for the Class of 2021 were announced during Commencement ceremonies May 15–16. Since 1877, Vanderbilt has awarded a gold medal to the student graduating with first honors from each of the university’s 10 schools and colleges. Read More

Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s leading expert on infectious disease research, called on the Class of 2021 to use the skills they honed at Vanderbilt to help Americans come together on what should be a universal goal: defeating the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci spoke virtually to the 2021 graduates and their families on May 14. Read More

Grant Brown, president of Vanderbilt University’s Senior Class Fund, announced during the May 14 Graduates Day festivities that alumni couple McCartney Kay Wilkins, BS’01, and Jay Wilkins, BS’99, are doubling their initial gift to Experience Vanderbilt this year in honor of the Class of 2021. Read More

A series of family heartaches propelled Yoanna Ivanova to pursue cellular research tied to breast cancer. She credits her connections with fellow engineering majors in the Clark Scholars Program for creating positive experiences in and out of the lab. Read More

Senior Emily Kopec is the 2021 recipient of the $25,000 Margaret Stonewall Wooldridge Hamblet Award, the Department of Art’s top student prize, and senior Cayla B. Mims is the recipient of the $10,000 Merit Award. Read More

A tumultuous entrance into the world set Demetra Hypatia Hufnagel on a trajectory that would inspire her bright future and affect the futures of many young lives to come. Read More

Vanderbilt University is honoring its Class of 2021 with a special weekend of Commencement celebrations May 14–16. All activities will observe campus health and safety protocols. Here’s what you need to know to guide you through the weekend. Read More

As a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer, Ken Barnes built a strong operational and technical background. But he calls the concentration in health care he pursued at Owen Graduate School of Management the bridge to his next chapter. Read More

Will Reisner enjoys reaching new heights. The mechanical engineering senior is the vehicle team lead on the perennially top-ranked Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Laboratory rocket team. Read More

Student-athlete Myra Konte was drafted in January by the North Carolina Courage—her dream team—but will delay her professional soccer career temporarily to continue her education at Vanderbilt. Read More

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person clinical experiences for most nursing students nationwide, Vanderbilt School of Nursing master’s student Matias Massaro seized the opportunity to learn a new aspect of providing psychiatric-mental health care. Read More

The ink may not yet be dry on Ramon Ryan’s law degree, but his legal research is already gaining national attention. Read More

When Mason Clark was in middle school, his beloved grandmother suffered a serious heart attack. She survived, thanks to the help of the local hospital, and the experience led Clark to his life’s purpose. Read More