150 Years of Vanderbilt
Experience 150 years of Vanderbilt through stories of trailblazing moments, transformative discoveries, bold leadership, and campus landmarks
LIVING LABORATORY
1989
Educational as well as beautiful, Vanderbilt’s arboretum is 150 years in the making
SPEAK UP
1967
Martin Luther King Jr., Strom Thurmond, and others helped put Impact Symposium on the map
BREATH OF LIFE
1961
Dr. Mildred Stahlman revolutionized the care of high-risk newborns by creating the world’s first modern neonatal intensive care unit
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
1970
Walter Murray left an indelible mark as a Vanderbilt student, Board of Trust member and administrator
MUSICAL CONTINUUM
1964
Blair Academy at Vanderbilt continues its outreach to the community through music
PEACE THROUGH PROSPERITY
2006
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’ revolutionary idea to combat poverty began with a $27 loan
VANDERBILT CAMPUS
With centuries of tradition and natural beauty, the Vanderbilt campus is one of the most stunning in the nation
Then
Now
Vanderbilt Campus Then & Now
Vanderbilt Campus
MEMORIAL MYSTIQUE
1952
Alumnus’ travels in France provided inspiration for Memorial Gym’s unusual design
UNIVERSITY HISTORY
A generous gift from Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt University was made possible by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt and his wife Frank’s generous financial support
University History
THE LEADERS
2020
Nine chancellors have guided Vanderbilt from local beginnings to global impact
INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt’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
Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization streamlines innovation’s path from campus to the marketplace
Innovation and Research
VOICE FOR DEMOCRACY
2004
Vanderbilt’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,” Vanderbilt’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 Vanderbilt experience has always gone far beyond the classroom
Student Experience
BUILDING A UNIVERSITY
1875
Buchanan Fellows at the Heard Libraries document Vanderbilt’s beginning
Student Experience
A BREAK WITH TRADITION
1987
Founded at Vanderbilt, Alternative Spring Break ushered in a new era of learning beyond the classroom
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE
An incredible source of pride for the Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt community
Athletic Excellence
HOME RUN HIRE
2003
Under head coach Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt baseball has become a national powerhouse
PURSUIT OF FREE EXPRESSION
Influential voices have shaped Vanderbilt’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 Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, including an undergraduate course, encourages civil discourse during a time of deep polarization
COMMUNITY
Vanderbilt’s partnerships with the community include collaborative research, the arts, academics, and more
Community
CENTER FOR DISCOVERY
1953
With roots back to Vanderbilt’s beginning, Dyer Observatory has long been a center for discovery, education and outreach
Community
AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK
2021
Vanderbilt developed a collaborative partnership with the National Museum of African American Music
NOTABLE ALUMNI
Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt’s first female graduate
Notable Alumni
HARBINGER OF CHANGE
1953
Bishop Joseph Johnson’s admission as Vanderbilt’s first Black student signaled change and an evolving student body