150 Years of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Experience 150 years of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø through stories of trailblazing moments, transformative discoveries, bold leadership, and campus landmarks
VANDERBILT CAMPUS
With centuries of tradition and natural beauty, the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø campus is one of the most stunning in the nation
Then
Now


ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Campus Then & Now

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Campus
MEMORIAL MYSTIQUE
1952
Alumnus’ travels in France provided inspiration for Memorial Gym’s unusual design
UNIVERSITY HISTORY
A generous gift from Commodore Cornelius ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø was made possible by Commodore Cornelius ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and his wife Frank’s generous financial support

University History
THE LEADERS
2020
Nine chancellors have guided ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø from local beginnings to global impact
INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s 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
ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization streamlines innovation’s path from campus to the marketplace

Innovation and Research
VOICE FOR DEMOCRACY
2004
ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s 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,” ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø experience has always gone far beyond the classroom

Student Experience
BUILDING A UNIVERSITY
1875
Buchanan Fellows at the Heard Libraries document ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s beginning

Student Experience
A BREAK WITH TRADITION
1987
Founded at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, Alternative Spring Break ushered in a new era of learning beyond the classroom
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE
An incredible source of pride for the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø community

Athletic Excellence
HOME RUN HIRE
2003
Under head coach Tim Corbin, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø baseball has become a national powerhouse
PURSUIT OF FREE EXPRESSION
Influential voices have shaped ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Project on Unity and American Democracy, including an undergraduate course, encourages civil discourse during a time of deep polarization
COMMUNITY
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s partnerships with the community include collaborative research, the arts, academics, and more

Community
CENTER FOR DISCOVERY
1953
With roots back to ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s beginning, Dyer Observatory has long been a center for discovery, education and outreach

Community
AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK
2021
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø developed a collaborative partnership with the National Museum of African American Music
NOTABLE ALUMNI
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s first female graduate

Notable Alumni
HARBINGER OF CHANGE
1953
Bishop Joseph Johnson’s admission as ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s first Black student signaled change and an evolving student body