From the Dean | October 2022
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Dear Arts and Science community, Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of being a part of Vanderbilt Reunion Weekend. Close to 6,000 alumni returned to campus to reconnect, celebrate, reminisce, engage, and learn. I was so happy to see former students and meet alumni I hadn’t known previously. The campus was filled with energy, joy, and excitement. “Triple” Reunion was an unqualified success! These reunions are a powerful reminder to me that the College of Arts and Science is truly educating society’s future leaders. Once our students graduate, they end up all over the world making an impact in the arts, finance, nonprofits, law, the media, advocacy, and many, many other fields. For example: Tommy Oswalt ’20 took his passion for building community at Vanderbilt to building community at Citibank in New York City, while Michael Berolzheimer ’00 and Kira Noodleman ’08 are investing in entrepreneurs that make positive changes in the world. Trent Shores ’00 gives back to his Indigenous heritage as a dedicated public servant, and Willie Geist ‘97, who moderated a Q&A with Chancellor Diermeier over Reunion Weekend, hosts Sunday TODAY on NBC and co-hosts MSNBC’s Morning Joe. Jenny Qi ’11 combines her career in medical research with her passion for writing poetry, and C.J. Sentell ’15 provides hundreds of thousands of meals to Nashvillians in need. Imani Ellis ’12 rose from The Vanderbilt Hustler journalist to vice president of communications for NBCUniversal. Ben Musser ’01 and Camille Obering ’00 have created a hub for cutting-edge, adventurous contemporary art. I could go on and on. The stories are endless, inspiring, and meaningful. But our alumni are not just making an imprint in their respective fields—they are also giving back to Vanderbilt in meaningful and important ways. For example, I have the good fortune to rely on a group of 25 alumni who serve on the College of Arts and Science Board of Advisors. We meet a few times throughout the year to discuss issues facing the college, and they provide vital input, suggestions, and support. Other alumni offer student internships or hire recent graduates to help them launch their careers. Still others volunteer for Reunion, get involved with their local alumni chapter, assist the Admissions Office with recruiting new students, or serve as career advisers. And many—including many of you—are making gifts to the College of Arts and Science that help us achieve our mission of world-class teaching, cutting-edge research, and meaningful service. There are countless ways to stay engaged and support Vanderbilt after you leave campus and I encourage you to seek them out. Your engagement with the college is invaluable on countless fronts. Many of you are using your A&S education to address the pressing challenges facing the world, and many of you have continued to give back to the college in important ways over the years. I encourage you to keep engaging, following your passion, making your imprint, and exploring, just as you did when you were here. I am grateful for the work you are doing in the world, and for your support of the college. You have my deepest appreciation.
My best,
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