Events Near You

We brought the energy and excitement of the Dare to Grow campaign to Palm Beach with Values-Driven Leadership: Shaping the Future of Higher Education. Sarah Wetenhall, BS’98, and Andrew Wetenhall, BA’98, shared how Vanderbilt helped shape Nashville into a world-class city—and outlined the opportunity to build that momentum in South Florida.

In a dynamic conversation, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Dan Senor, host of the Call Me Back podcast and partner at Elliott Investment Management, highlighted Vanderbilt’s commitment to community partnership and to free expression as essential to the university’s core purpose.

Watch the YouTube video here.

We brought the energy and excitement of our “Spotlight” event series to New York City with Daring to Grow: Leading through Dialogue. The evening featured a fireside chat with Chancellor Diermeier and Willie Geist, BA’97, host of NBC News’ Sunday TODAY and co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

Watch the YouTube video here.

We launched our “Spotlight” event series with Daring to Lead: Building Winning Teams at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Former Vanderbilt basketball player, Joe Duffy, BA’11, led a dynamic conversation with baseball head coach Tim Corbin and Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director, on leadership, teamwork and striving for excellence. More than 200 alumni, parents and friends joined us, finding opportunities for connection, camaraderie and powerful dialogue.

Watch the video on YouTube.

Alumni, parents and friends joined Vanderbilt for an inspiring night of connection and camaraderie at Saatchi Gallery in London. The event featured faculty leaders Emily Greble and Paul Stob; Young Alumni Trustee Somto Okoye, BE’19; and current student Daniel Bash. Guests were also treated to a special message from bestselling author and Vanderbilt parent Lexie Elliott and a moving performance by Preetha Narayanan, BMus’06.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

Dare to Grow Boston was a night to remember, beginning with a welcome message from Boston Celtics Player Enhancement Coach Steve Tchiengang, BA’12. Board of Trust Chairman Bruce Evans, BE’81, Trustee Corey Thomas, BE’98, and Michael Finn-Henry, BE’22, shared their Dare to Grow stories, underscoring the importance of providing access and opportunity. Associate Professor Rebecca VanDiver reminded us that among innovation and growth, there is always room for reflection—encouraging us to “dare to slow down” and explore. Dr. Kevin Churchwell, MD;87, shared his desire to carry forward his parents’ legacy of prioritizing education and his family’s appreciation for the opportunities Vanderbilt provides to its students.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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 as 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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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.

Watch the video on YouTube here.