Nashville And Community

Nearly 100 community members gathered outside of MLK Academic Magnet School, formerly Pearl High School, to celebrate Ridley’s legacy. Funded by Vanderbilt Athletics, the Metro Historical Commission marker was the latest expression of Vanderbilt’s support for the North Nashville neighborhood around Pearl High. Alumni Perry Wallace and Walter Murray, valedictorian and salutatorian of the segregated high school’s class of 1966, went on to have pioneering careers as students at Vanderbilt. Read More

What does a better-connected Nashville look like? For Vanderbilt University, it means a campus that is seamlessly linked to the city through frequent, reliable public transit, safer sidewalks and smarter traffic signals—all of which are on the horizon with the approval of the “Choose How You Move” transportation referendum. On Nov. 5, voters in Davidson County approved the $3.1 billion transit plan; 66 percent of ballots cast were in favor of the city’s transportation system overhaul. Approval of the referendum triggers a half-cent increase in sales tax that will take effect Feb. 1.  Read More

From integrating literacy into music education to empowering teens to lead a more balanced digital life, seven innovative projects have been awarded funding through the fall 2024 cycle of the Community Engagement Collaboration Fund. Faculty and staff from 11 of Vanderbilt’s schools, departments and centers have joined forces with local nonprofits, schools and other community stakeholders to bring these initiatives to life.   Read More

Directly north of The Hermitage, on a slight rise at the edge of the wooded bottomland near a creek, investigators confirmed what they had seen on a historic map: a cemetery where an estimated 28 bodies of enslaved individuals who lived on the property during the Jacksonian era are interred. Part of the research came from efforts by the Vanderbilt Institute for Spatial Research, directed by Steve Wernke, professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology at Vanderbilt. Read More

This winter, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is offering an exciting lineup of courses to invite the 50+ community to rediscover the joy of learning. For added convenience during the unpredictable weather of winter, many classes are available through Zoom, allowing students to join from the comfort of home. Registration for winter classes is open Nov. 18–Jan. 3. Classes begin on Jan. 12. Read More

On Thursday, Oct. 17, Vanderbilt University hosted the annual Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards, presented by the Nashville Public Education Foundation. These awards celebrate teachers who excel in equity, instruction and leadership within Metro Nashville Public Schools. Read More

In a city known for its music scene and rapidly changing skyline, the complex and often overlooked history of Nashville’s civil rights struggles has long remained in the shadows. Betsy Phillips, a local author and staff member at Vanderbilt University Press, is on a mission to change that narrative with her new book, Dynamite Nashville: Unmasking the FBI, the KKK, and the Bombers Beyond Their Control.  Read More

The Nashville Math Circle is back for fall 2024, and registration is now open. The program provides Nashville-area students in grades 7–12 the opportunity to learn creative math problem-solving skills in a friendly, fun environment from leading Vanderbilt faculty. Read More

The Division of Government and Community Relations has announced the opening of applications for the Community Engagement Collaboration Fund. The fund aims to foster new avenues for radical collaboration among university partners and local community organizations. Read More

Vanderbilt recently hosted the final M-TRAIN workshop at the Wond’ry. Funded by a $100,000 NSF grant, the workshop series engaged 70 people and 20 institutions, focusing on research administration, compliance and public-private partnerships, and held out a vision for sustained regional collaboration. Read More

Infectious diseases pose a significant global health challenge, accounting for a substantial proportion of deaths worldwide, according to recent data from the World Health Organization. Vanderbilt’s Life Science Showcase: Advancing Innovation in Infectious Diseases held on July 18 emphasized the vital importance of advancing research and innovation to combat these persistent threats. Read More

International Student and Scholar Services is seeking members of the Vanderbilt and greater Nashville communities for the First Friends program, which matches new international students with a local to help welcome them and ease their transition into American culture. Read More

In celebration of Juneteenth, a new mural honoring Black country music artists was unveiled on June 19 at the site of the former Vanderbilt Printing Services building. The mural, created by local artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik, draws inspiration from stories and history featured in Vanderbilt professor and award-winning songwriter Alice Randall’s latest book, My Black Country. Read More

Vanderbilt University has joined Mayor Freddie O’Connell, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, First Horizon, the Metro Housing Division and other funding partners in launching the Nashville Catalyst Fund. This innovative initiative aims to address Nashville’s affordable housing challenges through a new tool designed to create, preserve and develop more affordable housing options across the city.  Read More

Summer in Nashville is the perfect time to explore the city’s dynamic cultural scene. Vanderbilt University is proud to support numerous nonprofit and community organizations that provide activities and events throughout the season. From lively music festivals to bustling art markets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  Read More

On May 15, FirstBank hosted the Vanderbilt Nashville Chapter for a discussion on the ever-changing world of financial technology. The panel also highlighted the value of the Vanderbilt network as a great place to identify others in similar fields. Read More

The gathering, centered around open discussion with Mayor Freddie O’Connell regarding the “Choose How You Move” transportation plan, was held Monday, May 20, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Moving Forward. Read More

For over 24 years, the Civic Design Center has stood as a beacon for community-driven urban planning projects and programs. Based in downtown Nashville, this nonprofit organization draws expertise from diverse professional and academic sources, including Vanderbilt University, to engage community members in the envisioning and shaping of the city. Read More

Vanderbilt and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center concluded their 2023-2024 InsideOut series with an impactful event showcasing The Color Purple on Apr. 12. InsideOut is a free community learning program sponsored by Vanderbilt, which celebrated 21 years of partnership with TPAC in February. Read More

Much of Middle Tennessee will see about 95% of the sun covered on April 8, providing us with a grand partial solar eclipse. The Sun will begin to disappear at 12:45 p.m., reach maximum eclipse by 2:02 p.m., and completely reappear at 3:20 p.m. For those who crave the experience of a total solar eclipse, all is not lost. The path of totality extends across much of the eastern United States, making it accessible by just a few hours' drive from Nashville. Read More