James Lawson
The Rev. James Lawson receives NAACP Chairman’s Award for integral contributions to racial justice
Mar. 31, 2021—The Rev. James Lawson, a civil rights icon and Vanderbilt University distinguished professor, emeritus, has received the prestigious NAACP Chairman’s Award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary public service and use their distinct platforms to create agents of change.
Rev. James Lawson joins fellow scholars, historians and activists for Vanderbilt symposium on racial equity
Mar. 29, 2021—Prominent scholars, journalists, historians and activists gathered virtually for a daylong symposium discussing the fight for equity. “Racial Justice, Freedom and Activism in Nashville and Beyond: Then and Now” was hosted by Vanderbilt University on March 26.
Roos, emeritus physics professor and pioneer in recycling technology, has died
Mar. 17, 2021—Charles E. Roos, a retired physics professor who built his department’s research in areas ranging from superconducting wire to recycling technology, has died. He was 93.
Vanderbilt convenes scholars, activists across generations to examine Nashville’s role in fight for racial justice (UPDATED)
Mar. 5, 2021—The Vanderbilt community will welcome a diverse panel of renowned civil rights and social justice activists, journalists, historians and scholars for an examination of Nashville’s role as an intellectual center of the struggle for racial justice, then and now. The daylong virtual symposium will be held on Friday, March 26, starting at 9 a.m. CT and is open to the public.
Vanderbilt University Special Collections acquires new Lawson photographs
Oct. 27, 2020—Rare photographs of the Rev. James M. Lawson Jr., a pivotal figure in the history of the civil rights movement and Vanderbilt University, have been acquired by the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries.
Chancellor announces next round of Vanderbilt trailblazers to be honored with portraits
Apr. 26, 2019—Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos announced today the second series of portraits honoring five Vanderbilt trailblazers. Zeppos has commissioned paintings of Dorothy Wingfield Phillips, K.C. Potter, David Williams II, Kate Lupton and Muhammad Yunus.
Alumnus expands his chronicle of Freedom Riders with new portraits
Feb. 6, 2019—Lessons from the 1961 Freedom Rides and their relevance to today’s racial justice protests were discussed by alumnus and author Eric Etheridge and rider Rip Patten during a recent campus visit.
What’s On My Mind: Elevating Trailblazers and reflecting our community through art
Oct. 15, 2018—We must ensure that the artwork displayed at Vanderbilt celebrates role models that inspire all members of our rich mosaic, writes Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos in this week's column.
New portraits honor Vanderbilt Trailblazers
Oct. 15, 2018—Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos unveiled four portraits on Saturday that are part of a new “Vanderbilt Trailblazers” series to honor members of the Vanderbilt community who broke barriers at the university and in society at large.
New scholarship honors legacy of civil rights leader James Lawson
Jun. 25, 2018—The new Rev. James M. Lawson Jr. Scholarship provides need-based financial support for underrepresented minority students who demonstrate a commitment to civil rights and social justice.
Social justice in politically turbulent era focus of Bogitsh Lecture
Feb. 28, 2017—Stacey Floyd-Thomas will discuss "It's a Surreal World After All" when she delivers the Mafoi Carlisle Bogitsh Memorial Lecture March 2 at Vanderbilt Divinity School.
Vanderbilt athletics honors civil rights leaders during Equality Weekend
Feb. 27, 2017—Vanderbilt recently celebrated Equality Weekend, a two-day event that honored 21 of Nashville’s civil rights leaders and marked the 50th anniversary of Vanderbilt breaking the SEC’s color barrier with men’s basketball players Perry Wallace and Godfrey Dillard. The 21 leaders were honored at the Commodores’ men’s basketball game on Feb. 18 and the women’s game on Feb. 19—both Vanderbilt victories.