150 Years of ¹ú²ú´«Ã½
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
¹ú²ú´«Ã½ Campus
MEMORIAL MYSTIQUE
1952
Alumnus’ travels in France provided inspiration for Memorial Gym’s unusual design
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
University History
THE FOUNDERS
1873
The vision of ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ was made possible by Commodore Cornelius ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ and his wife Frank’s generous financial support
University History
THE LEADERS
2020
Nine chancellors have guided ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ from local beginnings to global impact
INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
¹ú²ú´«Ã½ has been at the forefront of change throughout its history – in research, in teaching, and in service
Innovation and Research
ECOLOGIST AND EDUCATOR
1969
Elsie Quarterman was a passionate biologist and ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s first woman department chair
INNOVATION AND RESEARCH BY THE NUMBERS
- 983 US patents issued
- $1B+ Annual research expenditures
- 89 Trans-institutional research centers and institutes
Innovation and Research
FROM RESEARCH TO REALITY
1991
¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization streamlines innovation’s path from campus to the marketplace
Innovation and Research
VOICE FOR DEMOCRACY
2004
¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s LAPOP Lab is the premier academic lab carrying out surveys of public opinion in the Americas
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
Pioneering Leaders
NO BARRIERS
1965
Susan Gray paved the way for Head Start by pioneering early childhood education
Pioneering Leaders
IMMEASURABLE IMPRINT
2021
Professor John Lachs sparked an enduring passion for philosophy among countless students
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
The enriching ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ experience has always gone far beyond the classroom
Student Experience
BUILDING A UNIVERSITY
1875
Buchanan Fellows at the Heard Libraries document ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s beginning
Student Experience
A BREAK WITH TRADITION
1987
Founded at ¹ú²ú´«Ã½, Alternative Spring Break ushered in a new era of learning beyond the classroom
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
Athletic Excellence
WHERE COMMODORES COME TOGETHER
1922
As Dudley Field gets new upgrades, past renovations served to gather the ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ community
Athletic Excellence
HOME RUN HIRE
2003
Under head coach Tim Corbin, ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ baseball has become a national powerhouse
PURSUIT OF FREE EXPRESSION
Influential voices have shaped ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s culture of free expression and open
discourse
Pursuit of Free Expression
HOLDING FIRM TO THE TRUTH
1960
Rev. James Lawson was a pivotal leader in the civil rights movement by teaching nonviolent resistance
Pursuit of Free Expression
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
COMMUNITY
¹ú²ú´«Ã½’s partnerships with the community include collaborative research, the arts, academics, and more
Community
CENTER FOR DISCOVERY
1953
With roots back to ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s beginning, Dyer Observatory has long been a center for discovery, education and outreach
Community
AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK
2021
¹ú²ú´«Ã½ developed a collaborative partnership with the National Museum of African American Music
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
Notable Alumni
STEADY DETERMINATION
1879
Kate Lupton opened doors for others as ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s first female graduate
Notable Alumni
HARBINGER OF CHANGE
1953
Bishop Joseph Johnson’s admission as ¹ú²ú´«Ã½â€™s first Black student signaled change and an evolving student body