Dear alumni, neighbors and friends,

Autumn brings an exciting season of firsts at Vanderbilt University–New York City, and we’re grateful to be on this journey in such a vibrant community. As campus continues to buzz, our students are embracing all that the city has to offer as a place to explore, learn and grow. 

We hope you’ll enjoy these glimpses into life on campus, and we look forward to seeing you at an event in the months ahead!

Warmly,

The Vanderbilt NYC Team

Top: Samira Sheikh, SC Perot and Sanjiv Gokhale; bottom: Anton Thomas and Victoria Hensley

Five inaugural Vanderbilt NYC faculty members bring expertise spanning history, the built environment, engineering and organizational leadership. Their disciplines and backgrounds vary, but together they reflect Vanderbilt’s vision to combine the opportunities of a global city with the Vanderbilt education.

A multi-year collaboration with the storied Whitney Museum of American Art, made possible through philanthropic investment, will create new opportunities for students, faculty, alumni and the broader community. This partnership also honors a historical connection between the two institutions. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, artist, patron and founder of the Whitney Museum, was the great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt, who founded Vanderbilt University in 1873.

The Whitney Museum (Max Touhey)

A new institute will explore a pressing challenge: How can universities ensure that credible expertise reaches people in an information landscape that is increasingly shaped by algorithms, fragmented media and declining trust? The new Discovery Vanderbilt center is designed to thoughtfully connect university experts with the public.

The launch of the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Engagement was announced at a recent Vanderbilt in the City event.

Jad Abumrad, Sarah Norman, Kathleen Kingsbury, Steve Ertel and Jonathan Metzl at the Sept. Vanderbilt in the City event

As part of renovation, historic spaces were thoughtfully updated to support modern teaching, collaboration and learning while preserving the character of campus. Newly renovated classrooms are no longer active construction sites; they’re where Vanderbilt students are learning, asking questions and building community.

Crews are completing the final touches as this phase of construction wraps up, including final cleaning and repairs to portions of the campus facades. For those closest to campus, our Inside Chelsea Square newsletter provides timely updates on construction and event activity to communicate potential impacts.

Seabury Auditorium, before and after renovation

From opportunities to connect with fellow Chelsea neighbors to conversations with thought leaders, we hope you’ll join us on campus this fall! 

Oct. 4: 5th Annual Chelsea The Longest Table

We look forward to joining our neighbors for the community’s annual The Longest Table event. Vanderbilt NYC students, faculty and staff received an internal registration link. Community members can join the event waitlist on Eventbrite.

Oct. 15: The Working Class and Democracy in America

Hosted by Vanderbilt’s Center for Global Democracy, this event will bring together a distinguished group of experts for a wide-ranging conversation about class, politics and the role of working-class Americans in U.S. democracy.

Oct. 16 and Oct. 18: Open House New York Weekend

Vanderbilt NYC will join OHNY Weekend, an annual citywide festival that opens the doors to hundreds of destinations across all five boroughs. Explore campus through drop-in hours on Oct. 16 or a ticketed architecture tour on Oct. 18.

Oct. 31: Trick-or-treat

Stop by the 21st Street entrance with your family!

Nov. 10: Artists and the City: Emerging Voices in Conversation

Vanderbilt and the Whitney will launch their partnership with a conversation featuring emerging artists at Vanderbilt NYC. Registration is currently closed; additional seats may become available closer to the event. Any updates will be shared in future emails.

Nov. 12: Poetry & Our Spiritual Lives: A Reading and Panel Discussion

Prominent poets and thought leaders will explore spirituality, contemplation and our shared humanity in a landmark reading. Featured guests include Pádraig Ó Tuama, Tracy K. Smith, Kevin Young and Major Jackson.

Dolly Parton Appreciation Day: Co-hosted with Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Anchor Down in Midtown: Vanderbilt Volleyball in the city. Around the table: Vanderbilt NYC coming together over meals.

Vanderbilt University–New York City