Commencement

Since Vanderbilt’s founding in 1873, campus traditions have evolved as the university has grown. Here are a few favorites that highlight community, belonging and history at the university.  Read More

Vanderbilt University’s undergraduate Class of 2024 undergraduate will have a unique backdrop for their May 10 Commencement ceremony: Geodis Park. Read More

"Spring Procession," a poem by Didi Jackson, assistant professor of English, read at Vanderbilt's Sesquicentennial launch in March. Read More

May 12, 2023 Parents, families and friends…esteemed faculty…trustees, valued alumni and dedicated staff…and, of course, our graduates: Welcome to the Commencement ceremony for the Vanderbilt Class of 2023! This year, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vanderbilt’s founding. And you, graduates, are part of an unbroken chain… Read More

Approximately 4,498 students graduated from Vanderbilt during the 2022–23 academic year, including approximately 2,689 people receiving graduate and professional degrees. Read More

Vanderbilt’s graduating seniors are encouraged to participate in this year’s Graduate Recognition Ceremonies for specific identity groups as part of the university’s 2023 Commencement celebrations. Read More

Class of 2023: See how Justin Brooks is on a mission of compassion, using his growing legal expertise to aid and empower victims of domestic violence and the economically disadvantaged. Read More

Class of 2023: It’s every child’s nightmare: Both parents are rushed to the hospital with life-threatening emergencies. But that terrifying personal experience—and his parents’ recovery—inspired Mark Miller to put aside a 20-year management career and earn a master’s in nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Read More

Class of 2023: Read how biomedical engineering major and head resident advisor Namrah Ajmal is creating unique spaces for community and belonging. Read More

Maria A. Ressa, an internationally acclaimed journalist who has endured political threats and government arrests for her commitment to truth and democracy, will receive Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal when she speaks to the university’s graduating students and their families during 2023 Commencement activities. Read More

Vanderbilt University will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding next spring. A number of campus traditions have evolved over time as the university has grown. Here are a few favorites that showcase the strong sense of community at Vanderbilt.   Read More

The spirit of “daring to grow” is inherent to our Vanderbilt way of life, and it extends to every member of our community. It is behind every groundbreaking discovery made by our faculty members, whether in the laboratory, clinic or conference room or within a single line of music or stroke of paint. It lives among our coaches and student-athletes as they continually raise the bar for their own accomplishments. It is exemplified by our staff members, whose dedication to our collaborative culture of excellence helps to create the environment in which we all thrive. And it is especially present among our alumni as they help one another to strive for, and achieve, new ambitions. At Vanderbilt, we learn for life. Read More

“Dare to Grow” Commencement Address by Chancellor Daniel Diermeier Vanderbilt University May 13, 2022 To graduates of the Class of 2022; to parents, families and guests; to members of the faculty and the Board of Trust; to our staff volunteers and to graduates from the Class of… Read More

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier congratulated the Class of 2022 for their “persistence, patience and above all, courage” during the past four years when he delivered his Commencement address at Vanderbilt Stadium on May 13. An estimated 14,000 guests joined graduates of the university’s 147th class during an in-person main ceremony that was livestreamed on Vanderbilt’s website. Read More

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. The awards are named after the university’s founder, Cornelius Vanderbilt, who made a contribution to endow the awards in their first year. Read More

Vanderbilt University has honored 35 retiring faculty members for their years of service by bestowing upon them the title of emerita or emeritus faculty. They were recognized during Vanderbilt’s Commencement ceremony on May 13. Read More

Reid Hoffman, who played integral roles in founding the companies PayPal and LinkedIn, called on Vanderbilt University’s Class of 2022 to invest in true, substantial and enduring friendships as they set out on the next phases of their lives. Read More

Faculty who would like to be a 2022 faculty marshal can now RSVP to participate. Faculty marshals are central to Commencement, creating a dignified and beautiful celebration of Vanderbilt graduates and their academic achievement. Replies are requested by Wednesday, April 6.    Read More

Vanderbilt’s graduating seniors are encouraged to participate in this year’s Graduate Recognition Ceremonies for specific identity groups as part of the university’s 2022 Commencement celebrations. Read More

The 2020–21 academic year in many ways was defined by urgency and imminent priorities—from the rapid implementation of COVID-19 safety protocols and weekly testing to the procurement of technology required for hybrid teaching and the herculean planning behind the two in-person Commencement ceremonies we hosted this spring, to name just a few. I remain inspired by the way our community responded to these challenges with such profound resilience and innovative problem-solving. Read More