Experience 150 years of ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ through stories of trailblazing moments, transformative discoveries, bold leadership, and campus landmarks

VANDERBILT CAMPUS

With centuries of tradition and natural beauty, the ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ campus is one of the most stunning in the nation

Then

Now


¹ú²ú´«Ã½ Campus Then & Now

THE ICON

1875

Kirkland Hall has been a constant of ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ life

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MEMORIAL MYSTIQUE

1952

Alumnus’ travels in France provided inspiration for Memorial Gym’s unusual design

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UNIVERSITY HISTORY

A generous gift from Commodore Cornelius ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ led to a journey of global impact

UNIVERSITY HISTORY BY THE NUMBERS

  • $1M Gift that made it all possible
  • 9 Chancellors
  • 177K+ Degrees awarded since 1875

THE FOUNDERS

1873

The vision of ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ was made possible by Commodore Cornelius ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ and his wife Frank’s generous financial support

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Chancellor Daniel Diermeier

THE LEADERS

2020

Nine chancellors have guided ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ from local beginnings to global impact

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INNOVATION AND RESEARCH

¹ú²ú´«Ã½ has been at the forefront of change throughout its history – in research, in teaching, and in service

Elsie Quarterman

ECOLOGIST AND EDUCATOR

1969

Elsie Quarterman was a passionate biologist and ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s first woman department chair

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INNOVATION AND RESEARCH BY THE NUMBERS

  • 983 US patents issued
  • $1B+ Annual research expenditures
  • 89 Trans-institutional research centers and institutes

FROM RESEARCH TO REALITY

1991

¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization streamlines innovation’s path from campus to the marketplace

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¹ú²ú´«Ã½ public policy researchers perform interviews

VOICE FOR DEMOCRACY

2004

¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s LAPOP Lab is the premier academic lab carrying out surveys of public opinion in the Americas

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PIONEERING LEADERS

In the spirit of the school’s motto, Crescere aude, or “dare to grow,” ¹ú²ú´«Ã½’s people find their own paths and team up to break new ground

Photo courtesy of ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ Special Collections

NO BARRIERS

1965

Susan Gray paved the way for Head Start by pioneering early childhood education

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IMMEASURABLE IMPRINT

2021

Professor John Lachs sparked an enduring passion for philosophy among countless students

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STUDENT EXPERIENCE

The enriching ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ experience has always gone far beyond the classroom

BUILDING A UNIVERSITY

1875

Buchanan Fellows at the Heard Libraries document ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s beginning

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A break with tradition

A BREAK WITH TRADITION

1987

Founded at ¹ú²ú´«Ã½, Alternative Spring Break ushered in a new era of learning beyond the classroom

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ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

An incredible source of pride for the ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ community, athletic achievements have set a
benchmark of excellence

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE BY THE NUMBERS

  • 6 National Championships
  • 374 Student-athletes across 16 varsity sports
  • 3 Conference Memberships
Dudley Field

WHERE COMMODORES COME TOGETHER

1922

As Dudley Field gets new upgrades, past renovations served to gather the ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ community

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HOME RUN HIRE

2003

Under head coach Tim Corbin, ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ baseball has become a national powerhouse

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PURSUIT OF FREE EXPRESSION

Influential voices have shaped ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s culture of free expression and open
discourse

HOLDING FIRM TO THE TRUTH

1960

Rev. James Lawson was a pivotal leader in the civil rights movement by teaching nonviolent resistance

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TEACHING ACROSS THE DIVIDE

2021

The ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ Project on Unity and American Democracy, including an undergraduate course, encourages civil discourse during a time of deep polarization

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COMMUNITY

¹ú²ú´«Ã½’s partnerships with the community include collaborative research, the arts, academics, and more

Dyer Observatory

CENTER FOR DISCOVERY

1953

With roots back to ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s beginning, Dyer Observatory has long been a center for discovery, education and outreach

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NMAAM Story

AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK

2021

¹ú²ú´«Ã½ developed a collaborative partnership with the National Museum of African American Music

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NOTABLE ALUMNI

¹ú²ú´«Ã½ alumni lead in their fields and continue to blaze new trails

NOTABLE ALUMNI BY THE NUMBERS

  • 42 Alumni Chapters
  • 6 Nobel Laureates
  • 147K+ Active Alumni

STEADY DETERMINATION

1879

Kate Lupton opened doors for others as ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s first female graduate

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HARBINGER OF CHANGE

1953

Bishop Joseph Johnson’s admission as ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s first Black student signaled change and an evolving student body

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