It’s the season for reflection and celebration of the past year. As we approach the end of another remarkable semester, I am filled with immense pride for all your collective efforts—and true One Vanderbilt spirit—that have made it so. Each one of you has played an integral role in the lives of our community members, and I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for your dedication, hard work, and commitment to the mission of our university.

While I know this is still a busy time for many of us, I hope that your teams are taking time to celebrate all you have accomplished in the last semester and acknowledge how far you have come in the last year.

To kick off this holiday season, I encourage you to participate in Turkey Toss this Friday, Dec. 15. This employee appreciation event is a beloved tradition at our university, and you can learn more about it below.

I wish you all a wonderful and restful winter break, happy holidays, and a joyous new year.

The Vanderbilt University Division of Administration has announced that Alexander M. Kohnen, a leader in facilities management and engineering, will join the university as associate vice chancellor and chief facilities officer, effective Jan. 8. Learn more.

Vanderbilt University faculty, staff and postdocs are invited to participate in Turkey Toss 2023 on Friday, Dec. 15, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (7 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside) at the Sarratt Student Center. Turkey Toss will be a hybrid event again this year. A convenient drive-through option will be offered at the Sarratt roundabout on Vanderbilt Place.

Please note that participants must have a Vanderbilt ID or proof of employment to pick up an item. Please visit the Turkey Toss website for more details and FAQ.

Vanderbilt University will make significant enhancements to its employee retirement plan beginning this holiday season, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier announced. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the university will match employees’ contributions to the plan up to 6 percent, as well as automatically enroll new hires and rehires in the plan at the 6 percent match. Learn more.

When you shop the Vanderbilt Holiday Catalog, you help enable a Vanderbilt education. Proceeds from the sale of licensed merchandise go toward Opportunity Vanderbilt, the university’s financial aid program that meets 100 percent of every undergraduate student’s demonstrated financial need without loans.

This year’s Gift Guide is specially curated to include clothing, kids’ gear, holiday-themed gifts and beyond. Find just what you need for even the Dore that has everything. 

Shop the 2023 Vanderbilt Holiday Gift Guide online now through Dec. 31.