Vanderbilt and I personally have lost a great friend, a sage counselor and a giant of a man whose very life served as a constant example and reminder of the exceptional good one person can do. We were privileged to have him on our campus as the founder of the First Amendment Center and were honored when he chose Vanderbilt as its home base more than two decades ago.
His intellectual vibrancy radiated throughout campus – at gatherings of students, at panel discussions at our libraries, in initiatives with members of our faculty and in chance meetings across campus. John especially loved to engage with our students, and they in turn found his wisdom, his personal story and his genuineness inspiring. We are a better place for having had John Seigenthaler as a member of our community.
Our hearts go out to Dolores, John Michael, Kerry, Jack and the rest of his family and loved ones.