JR105552

Events Near You

Join Vanderbilt leaders and members of the Vanderbilt community at events across the country to learn about the transformative vision and momentum of the Dare to Grow campaign.

Bringing together alumni, parents and friends, these events showcase Vanderbilt’s exciting trajectory as we build our future and claim our place as the great university of this century.

Upcoming Events

Dare to Grow Boston

April 1, 2025

Details coming soon—stay tuned!

Dare to Grow London

May 21, 2025

Details coming soon—stay tuned!

Past Events

Dare to Grow Los Angeles

Tuesday, October 29

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures was the perfect backdrop for an impactful evening, bringing together nearly 300 alumni, parents and friends to support Vanderbilt. It was a night to remember, beginning with a welcome from sports columnist and commentator Skip Bayless, BA’74. Professor Michael P. Vandenbergh and doctoral candidate Mariah D. Caballero shared the ways Vanderbilt has fueled their environmental research. Trustee and Vanderbilt parent George B. Huber, BA’79, along with alumni Jeremy Padawer, MBA’01, and Olivia Logan, BS’23, shared their dare to grow stories, underscoring the power of a Vanderbilt education and reminding us that our investment in one another changes lives.

Dare to Grow Washington, D.C.

Monday, September 23

More than 350 alumni, parents and friends gathered for an exciting night of celebration and community in Washington, D.C., at the National Portrait Gallery. The evening featured insightful remarks from Vanderbilt faculty leaders General (Ret.) Paul Nakasone and Erin Calipari, alongside alumnus and trustee David Patterson, BA’81, MD’85. Exceptional alumni, Sam Feist, BA’91, Riti Hegde, BS’22, and Renee Iacona, PhD’98, MPH’99, also shared their stories, followed by a captivating performance by Ben Edquist, BMus’13, and Dean Melissa Rose.

Dare to Grow Chicago

Tuesday, September 17

More than 400 alumni, parents and friends joined Vanderbilt for a memorable evening at the Art Institute of Chicago. The event showcased Vanderbilt faculty leaders Holly Tucker and Jules White; distinguished trustee and Vanderbilt parent Nina Kohler; and inspirational graduates, Carter Hawkins, BS’07, Blake-Anthony Johnson, BMus’12, and Anana Upton, BS’21, MSN’23. Guests were also treated to a special message from Cubs shortstop and former VandyBoy Dansby Swanson, ’16.

Dare to Grow San Francisco

Monday, May 6

More than 280 Vanderbilt supporters came together for a night to remember at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. The program featured an exciting group of Vanderbilt alumni, staff, and faculty, including Chancellor Diermeier; Provost Raver; Vice Chancellor John Lutz; the School of Engineering’s Jonathan Sprinkle, MS’00, PhD’03, and Dan Work; Trustees Jeff Rothschild, BA’77, MS’79, and Shirley Collado, BS’94; along with alumni Tristan Gilbert, BE’20, MS’20, David Barzelay, BA’05 and NBA champion Festus Ezeli, BA’12; all set to the sound of Blair’s Jazz Combo.

Dare to Grow Atlanta

Monday, March 18

More than 450 alumni, families and friends joined us for an inspiring evening featuring Chancellor Diermeier, Provost Raver, Vice Chancellor John Lutz, Vanderbilt faculty leaders Sarah Igo and Ganesh Sitaraman; trustee Alex Taylor, BA’97; Double ‘Dore and Vandy parent Dr. Maria Aaron, BA’91, MD’95; and Sam Carton, BA’23, recipient of an Anonymous PAB Scholarship.

One of the highlights of the evening was when Athletic Director and Vice Chancellor for Athletics Candice Lee, BS’00, MEd’02, EDd’12 brought out former student-athletes Grace Jackson, BA’20, MMARK’21; Casey Hayward, BA’13; and George Smith, BA’07, to lead guests in a fun field goal and soccer shot challenge. The stadium was an incredible setting and made for an unforgettable roadshow.

Dare to Grow Dallas

March 4, 2024

More than 250 alumni, parents and friends gathered for an inspiring night of connection and camaraderie in Dallas at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Speakers included influential entrepreneur and Vanderbilt parent Mark Cuban; distinguished trustees Suzanne McGee, BS’86, Doug Parker, MBA’86, and Conner Searcy, BA’97; Vanderbilt faculty leaders Tiffiny Tung and Rangaraj Ramanujam; and inspirational recent graduates, Ethan Fournier, MSN’23, and Hannah Tsiao, BS’23.

Dare to Grow Miami

January 30, 2024

The impact of Vanderbilt University was on full display when South Florida-area alumni gathered at the Pérez Art Museum Miami in January. Speakers included faculty members María Magdalena Campos-Pons and Dr. James E. Crowe, alumni Peter Marshall, BA’14, and Jose Garrido, BS’03, as well as Bridget Conley, BA’21, who treated guests to a musical performance with Blair School Dean Melissa Rose, followed by Blair’s own Vanderbilt Latin Jazz.

Dare to Grow Houston

October 30, 2023

Alumni, parents and friends gathered at The Menil Collection in Houston to enjoy cocktails and spirited conversation amidst provocative art and to hear from some of Vanderbilt’s most inspiring people, from head baseball coach Tim Corbin to Houston’s own Kaylin Haverstock Weber, BA’96.

Dare to Grow New York City

September 13, 2023

More than 300 guests came together at the Shed in Hudson Yards in Manhattan to hear about Vanderbilt’s vision for the future. Willie Geist, BA’97, emceed the evening, while Sydney Takemoto, BS’23, and Joe Ariel, BA’99, shared their inspiring stories. In addition, Jad Abumrad led a discussion on the Vanderbilt Way featuring faculty members Erin S. Calipari and Major Jackson.

Be a Part of Our Impact

Give. Go. Help. Share.

Your contributions—as a supporter, volunteer and ambassador—transform lives and bring us closer to achieving our most ambitious vision: to be the great university of the 21st century.

Give Now