Dear Arts and Science community,

I recently returned from a trip to London to visit some A&S alumni. This was my first overseas trip as dean. It was a busy but rewarding trip, and was further evidence for me that our graduates are making a global impact.

Notably, I attended the 50^th anniversary celebration of the Wattles Fellowship, established by alumnus Walter Wattles (BA’36) for Vanderbilt women to work at Lloyd’s of London for a year after graduation. The program was groundbreaking when it was launched in 1969, empowering women with a career opportunity they would not have had otherwise. It continues to offer Vanderbilt alumnae valuable global experience, perspective, and exposure to international business. Over the years, 129 women have participated in the fellowship—and nearly half of them showed up for the reunion, traveling from far and wide to attend the celebration. This fellowship clearly had a huge impact on their lives. The success of this program underscores the importance of inclusion, and why the Vanderbilt experience is so unique and valuable.

I also connected with a number of A&S alumni who have made a home in London. Each of these meetings was a great learning experience for me, and a lot of fun. I met alumni who were pursuing a range of careers—from finance to law to opening a chain of wine bars (definitely check out Vagabond Wine if you’re in London!). It was proof of what I already know and believe: a strong liberal arts education at Vanderbilt prepares graduates to succeed in a wide range of careers, anywhere in the world.

As Vanderbilt’s visibility and rankings continue to rise, our faculty, students, and alumni have an opportunity to expand our impact across the world. The university is committed to advancing our international footprint. To do so, we must continue offering opportunities for students to study abroad. As Immersion Vanderbilt takes root, we will provide additional overseas experiences for our students, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our faculty must also continue to advance our international presence through their exceptional research, teaching, and service. We are on a path to strengthen our global impact, and must continue it.

I cannot thank enough those who proudly represent Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Science around the world. I will continue to look for ways to enhance our international reach and look forward to working with you all to make that happen.

My best,

John G. Geer
Dean of the College of Arts and Science
Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science

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