University Update
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Conversation with Chancellor Diermeier
Student Life Center,Commodore Ballroom; 310 25th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37240
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Chancellor Diermeier with an update on the University!
Campus Tours
9:00 a.m | Walking Tours (Arboretum, Campus, or Historical)
See Specific Tour Departure Locations Below
- Arboretum Tour, Led by VU Landscape Architect James Moore Depart from Rand Terrace
(The meeting location is adjacent to Alumni Lawn where the picnic tables are located).- University Landscape Architect James Moore will lead attendees on a tour of the Arboretum within the historic core of campus. Along the way, he will discuss the trees of the Arboretum, the history of campus design, and how the University is planning for the future. Attendees should plan on walking outside, mostly on sidewalks, for the duration of the tour.
- Campus Tour, Led by Student AmbassaDores Tour Guides Depart from the steps of E. Bronsom Ingram College
- Join a current VU student to learn about the Vanderbilt’s student experience today, including some longtime favorite places on campus, as well as new ones!
- Historical Tour, Led by University Archivist Kathy Smith Depart from area between Kirkland and Alumni Halls (near rear entrance to Alumni Hall)
- Take a stroll with University Archivist, Kathy Smith, as she recounts stories from 150 years of Vanderbilt history!
2:00 p.m | Walking Tour (Arboretum)
See Specific Tour Departure Location Below
- Arboretum Tour, Led By VU Landscape Architect James Moore - Depart from Rand Terrace
(The meeting location is adjacent to Alumni Lawn where the picnic tables are located).- University Landscape Architect James Moore will lead attendees on a tour of the Arboretum within the historic core of campus. Along the way, he will discuss the trees of the Arboretum, the history of campus design, and how the University is planning for the future. Attendees should plan on walking outside, mostly on sidewalks, for the duration of the tour.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Special Collections and Archives Open House (Drop-In)
Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries - Central Library, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Join the Special Collections and University Archives team for an exciting look at Vanderbilt’s history through artifacts that tell the story of our university. There will be a wide range of items to view and interact with, including vintage cheerleading uniforms, pin-back buttons, fraternity paddles, and other items that will be familiar to alumni. Perhaps you can tell us some stories about these objects that even we don’t know! Photo opportunities will be encouraged.
Commodore Classrooms I, II, & III
Friday, November 3
10:00 a.m. | Commodore Classroom I
Sarratt Cinema, Sarratt Student Center, 2301 Vanderbilt Pl, Nashville, TN 37240
"Quantum Potential: Rewriting history with AI: A conversation with Jane Landers and Jad Abumrad"
Quantum Potential is a collection of wild but precise portraits of the scholars, scientists and students at Vanderbilt University who are finding new ways to understand the world—and through understanding, change it.\
Jane Landers, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of History, has built the Slave Societies Digital Archive, the world’s most extensive collection of historical records that document the lives of Africans in the Atlantic World. Landers and her team are using data science and machine learning to extract detailed information from more than 700,000 digital images of documents, some dating back as early as the 16th century. The result? The singular repository for historical and genealogical records of an estimated four to six million individuals that until now have been lost to history.
Watch Landers’ Quantum Potential portrait and partake in a deeper discussion with Landers and Jad Abumrad, the VU faculty member, NPR’s Radiolab and Dolly Parton’s America podcast creator, MacArthur genius and Peabody award winner behind the series.
2:00 p.m. | Commodore Classroom II
Location to come
"Unlocking the Power of Dyslexia: A Glimpse into Vanderbilt's Vision for the Future"
Thanks to the incredible generosity of a major donor gift, discover how Vanderbilt is making groundbreaking strides in dyslexia research and support. This engaging discussion will provide a deeper understanding of the innovative initiatives taking place at Vanderbilt and beyond to empower dyslexic individuals to thrive and achieve their full potential. Whether you’re curious about different ways of learning or have a passion for creating a more inclusive world, join us to learn how this investment is paving the way for a brighter future for dyslexic individuals and will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the community. Panelists to be announced.
3:30 p.m. | Commodore Classroom III
Student Life Center, Ballroom B, 310 25th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37240
"Sounds of the Stadium: An Immersive Experience"
Join us for "Sounds of the Stadium" and explore how music and sound play important roles in the player and fan experience on gameday in big-time college football. The panel discussion, augmented by a band performance, will cover sonic and musical aspects of gameday production, the general role of music in athlete and fan experiences, and critical scholarly perspectives about sound, music, identity, and power in the college football soundscape.
Moderator: Andrew Maraniss, Vanderbilt Athletics
Panelists:
• Alyssa Leonard, Associate Athletic Director for Marketing
• Doug Morin, Director of the Vanderbilt Band
• George Smith, Assistant Director, Black and Gold Club and former Vanderbilt student-athlete
• Carrie Tipton, author of "From Dixie to Rocky Top: Music and Meaning in Southeastern Conference Football" (Vanderbilt University Press, 2023)
Sunday, November 5
9:00 a.m. | 50th Reunion Discussion: Reflections on Chancellor Heard
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Main Floor, Lyric Meeting Room, 2100 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203
Join alumni from the 50th Reunion class for this special conversation on Chancellor Heard.
Inquiries: Andra DeVincenzo, Associate Director of Reunion and Class Engagement (andra.p.devincenzo@vanderbilt.edu)
Visit the Health and Safety Protocols for up-to-date information on Vanderbilt's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.