Social Stories

Rather than allowing faith to fracture our politics, it should be used as a guiding force to help unify our communities, said former two-term Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam in a virtual discussion on May 25 with Vanderbilt Divinity School Dean Rev. Emilie Townes and author and political columnist Peter Wehner. Read More

Vanderbilt University today announced a new collaboration with the nonprofit organization Climate Vault that allows the university to address the full extent of its carbon footprint now, achieving carbon neutrality decades ahead of its initial goal. The new initiative will effectively remove carbon pollution permits from regulated carbon markets while simultaneously stimulating research into emerging carbon removal technologies.    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

Through May 28, Commodore fans and friends can show their support for Vanderbilt student-athletes by purchasing Vandy United-themed shirts, totes, tumblers, stickers and more via an online store. Proceeds from the sale of items will benefit Vanderbilt scholarships and make a direct impact on student-athletes. Read More

The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy and Vanderbilt Divinity School will present a discussion on the role that religious faith plays in politics as explored in "Faithful Presence: The Promise and the Peril of Faith in the Public Square," a new book by former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The virtual event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25, from noon to 1 p.m. CT. 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

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

Construction will begin on Vanderbilt University’s housing development for graduate and professional students during the week of April 26. Adjacent to campus on Broadway, between Lyle and 20th avenues, the development is the culmination of student feedback and the university’s desire to provide graduate and professional students housing near campus at below-market rates. Read More

Vanderbilt’s partnership with the recently opened National Museum of African American Music promises the potential of community-building discussions involving music, race, history and storytelling. 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

With a heart for serving others and an interest in the intersection of theology and social justice, Erica Johnson was drawn to pursue a master’s degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School while working at a social services center for victims of domestic abuse. 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

The Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life joined with several campus partners to host “Remember the Empty Chair: A COVID-19 Memorial Event” last week on Library Lawn. Read More

After graduating with a Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology from the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Alissa Guarnaccia will begin a rare postdoctoral research position with health care biotechnology giant Genentech. Read More

A family legacy of fighting for civil rights fuels Chicago native Anana Upton, whose mission is creating positive change in underserved communities. Read More