Commencement

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

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier welcomes the Vanderbilt community back to campus for a new semester, reflecting on last year's work and looking ahead at this year's opportunities. Read More

Carter Philips, BA’65, professor of classics, emeritus, and university marshal at Vanderbilt Commencement for more than two decades, died July 8. He was 78. 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

During Commencement ceremonies on May 15, Vanderbilt University honored five distinguished Vanderbilt University School of Nursing faculty by naming them faculty emeriti. The university also announced that Dean Linda Norman, DSN, FAAN, would be designated dean emerita, effective July 1, 2021. 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

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente and Chancellor Daniel Diermeier welcomed back the undergraduate Class of 2020 for a special in-person and virtual ceremony on May 1 at Vanderbilt Stadium, and graduate and professional students were honored with separate ceremonies held by their respective schools across campus on Sunday, May 2. Read More

Caroline Kennedy drew on inspirational remarks that her father, President John F. Kennedy, delivered at Vanderbilt in 1963 when she spoke virtually to the 2020 graduates and their families on April 30. Her Graduates Day address was postponed from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

The 10 students who graduated with first honors from each of Vanderbilt’s schools and colleges will be recognized during the Class of 2020’s Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2. Read More

Candice Storey Lee, the first African American woman to head a Southeastern Conference athletics program, will be honored by Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of education and human development with the 2021 Distinguished Alumna Award during Class of 2020 Commencement May 2 and Class of 2021 Commencement May 16. Read More

Vanderbilt University will recognize the 33 faculty members who retired last academic year at its Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 1. Read More