CLASS OF 2023

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier congratulated Vanderbilt University’s Class of 2023—for embodying “commitment, dedication and courage” during the past four years—in his Commencement address at Bridgestone Arena on May 12. An estimated 15,000 guests joined members of the university’s 149th graduating class during an in-person undergraduate ceremony, which was moved to Bridgestone Arena due to inclement weather. The event also was livestreamed on Vanderbilt’s website. The institution’s graduate and professional schools in the Class of 2023 celebrated at other ceremonies around campus. Diermeier noted that Vanderbilt was established in an act of radical collaboration by a Northern titan of business and a Southern minister to help bind the wounds of a nation torn apart by civil war. Its purpose was to bring people of differing perspectives together in shared purpose, based on common values. And that purpose endures today. MORE

Maria Ressa, an internationally acclaimed journalist who was awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for exposing government corruption and human rights violations in her native Philippines and for defending free and accurate speech worldwide, called on the Vanderbilt Class of 2023 to seek truth and facts despite the “toxic sludge” of misinformation manipulating social media. Ressa is this year’s recipient of Vanderbilt’s Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal, one of the highest honors given by the university. She delivered the Graduates Day keynote address on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons Lawn May 11 as part of a two-day event celebrating the university’s Commencement. In her address, Ressa urged students to draw an ethical line now to shield them from moral lapses or manipulation. MORE

Vanderbilt University has named the Class of 2023 Founder’s Medalists. Since 1877, Vanderbilt has awarded a gold medal to the student graduating with first honors from each of the university’s 10 schools and colleges. The awards are named after the university’s founder, Cornelius Vanderbilt, who made a contribution to endow the awards in their first year. MORE

Collaboration is an essential element of the Vanderbilt community, inside and outside the classroom. What inspires and motivates phenomenal students is often the desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Meet some members of the Class of 2023 whose inspired collaborations—within Vanderbilt and across the Nashville community and beyond—are making the world better. Justin Brooks is earning a law degree with a focus on empowering victims of domestic violence and economically disadvantaged individuals. Sanjana Padala, a medicine, health and society major, wants to be at the forefront of finding solutions and helping adolescents with mental health issues. Darren Francis, a human and organizational development major, used leadership and faith to make connections with people. Matt Smith, a Bass Military Scholar specializing in orthopedic surgery, keeps humility at the center of his goals. John Abbott, a biomedical engineering major, has leveraged his time at Vanderbilt to expand in grow in many ways. MORE

What does it mean to create belonging? For members of the Class of 2023, belonging comes with cultivating an atmosphere of support, creativity, collaboration and motivation as well as an overarching respect for others, believing those traits are destined to make the world better. Meet some members of the Class of 2023 who are cultivating belonging to strengthen, support and enrich the community at Vanderbilt and beyond. Nora Smith, a special education and English double major, strives to create a sense of belonging for eveyone. Namrah Ajmal, a biomedical engineering major and resident adviser, seeks out opportunities to form personal commections with her students. Jack Allen, a piano performance major, uses music to express emotion and connect with others. Mark Miller, a master’s student in the School of Nursing, aims to make human connection with patients. Taylor Rasmussen, an MBA student, wants to  make everyone feel welcome in business, even if they have a different background. MORE

Whether pursing passions in research and discovery, innovation, entrepreneurship or stretching talents to new heights, Vanderbilt students exemplify the university’s motto of “dare to grow.” Meet some of the members of the Class of 2023 who are pursuing unique and impactful paths. Kingston Ho doesn’t just play beautiful music—he’s studying how his brain and body make those melodies happen. Mary Cayten Brakefield is using her experiences with physical illness and disability to inform her namesake fashion business focused on accessible and inclusive universal design. Kavya Sharman continues to branch out into biotechnology research, business development and even Wall Street by co-founding a science-focused investment fund. Lauren Grohowski is helping solve problems by building products and devices for people that really need them. Amanda Harding wears three hats at Vanderbilt—one as a university staff member, another as a doctoral student pursuing her degree online and a third as president of the advisory group that represents Vanderbilt staff members. MORE

Whether they are U.S. students studying abroad or international students representing some 70 countries on the Vanderbilt campus, Class of 2023 undergraduate, graduate and professional students are making an impact worldwide. Vanessa Ajeh, a medicine, health and society and Spanish double major, aspires to be a changemaker in her community and to pursue a career in neonatal medicine. Master of divinity student Nawat “Pai” Masavisut is tackling the challenging academic concentration of prison and carceral studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Grace Locke’s desire to better understand the immigration system and people fleeing their homelands, along with her gift for multiple languages, has uniquely positioned the political science and Spanish double major to make an impact. Lucy Kim, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of English, has worked as a tutor and mentor in Vanderbilt’s Writing Studio and helped more than 400 students and held more than 800 sessions supporting people to express themselves with the written word. MORE

Class of 2023 graduates Catherine Hobbs, Abhinav Krishnan and Joseph Sexton have been named Michael B. Keegan Traveling Fellows for 2023–24. Unique to Vanderbilt, the Keegan Traveling Fellowship aims to enhance the development of future leaders through world travel, research and experiential learning. The award provides $25,000 to support their learning and leadership goals as they travel internationally for a year. The fellowship gives graduating Vanderbilt seniors the opportunity to pursue a topic of scholarly and/or artistic interest in diverse global settings. “The Keegan Traveling Fellowship exemplifies the type of experiential learning and research opportunities that Vanderbilt undergraduates harness while here as students and after graduating,” Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Tiffiny Tung said. “Curiosity, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit motivate these students to seek deeply meaningful and transformative experiences that help them see problems and solutions in a new light.” MORE

Vanderbilt University has honored 33 retiring faculty members for their years of service by bestowing upon them the title of emerita or emeritus faculty. Additionally, four outgoing deans were honored for their service as deans. They were recognized during Vanderbilt’s Commencement ceremony on May 12. A faculty member who has served the university with distinction over a period of years and whose status remains active until retirement, may, upon recommendation of the appropriate dean and the chancellor, be awarded the title “emeritus” or “emerita” by the Board of Trust. MORE