Commencement 2020

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente and Chancellor Daniel Diermeier welcomed back the undergraduate Class of 2020 for a special in-person and virtual ceremony on May 1 at Vanderbilt Stadium, and graduate and professional students were honored with separate ceremonies held by their respective schools across campus on Sunday, May 2. Read More

Caroline Kennedy drew on inspirational remarks that her father, President John F. Kennedy, delivered at Vanderbilt in 1963 when she spoke virtually to the 2020 graduates and their families on April 30. Her Graduates Day address was postponed from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

The 10 students who graduated with first honors from each of Vanderbilt’s schools and colleges will be recognized during the Class of 2020’s Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2. Read More

Candice Storey Lee, the first African American woman to head a Southeastern Conference athletics program, will be honored by Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of education and human development with the 2021 Distinguished Alumna Award during Class of 2020 Commencement May 2 and Class of 2021 Commencement May 16. Read More

Vanderbilt University will recognize the 33 faculty members who retired last academic year at its Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 1. Read More

The Vanderbilt Class of 2020 is being honored in a special weekend of Commencement celebrations. All activities will observe campus health and safety protocols. Here’s what you need to know to guide you through the weekend. Read More

Join us as bestselling author, attorney and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy delivers a virtual Graduates Day address to the Vanderbilt Class of 2020 on Friday, April 30, beginning at 11 a.m. CT. Read More

Caroline Kennedy, a bestselling author, attorney and former U.S. ambassador to Japan, will receive Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal when she speaks to Class of 2020 graduates and their families at their Graduates Day celebration on Friday, April 30. Read More

We are excited to announce that the university will hold in-person Commencement ceremonies May 1–2 for the Class of 2020, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost Susan R. Wente wrote in a message to last year's graduates. Read More

Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente was joined by deans, administrators, former and current faculty heads of house on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, coaches, Board of Trust members and alumni in saluting the Class of 2020 with a virtual toast. Read More

Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente will be joined by other campus leaders and members of the Vanderbilt community when they salute the Class of 2020 with a virtual toast on Wednesday, June 17. Read More

Vanderbilt University will hold the Class of 2020’s on-campus Commencement ceremony and related events on May 1 and 2, 2021. The dates were selected as the best option after evaluating input from a student committee, campus partners and various vendors that will contribute to events throughout the weekend. Read More

Vanderbilt Magazine raises a glass of its own to the tenacious, accomplished and always adaptable Class of 2020. Cheers to you all. Read More

At a time when we are physically separate, the connections embodied by our One Vanderbilt community have become even more vital. Read More

A downtown Nashville landmark was lit in Vanderbilt University colors the evening of May 8 to cap a day of celebration for the Class of 2020. Read More

In a video message to the Class of 2020, Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente congratulates graduates on their many achievements, commends their perseverance during this challenging time, and confers upon them their Vanderbilt degrees. Read More

Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente announced Vanderbilt’s 2020 Founder’s Medalists in a video message to the university community on May 8. Read More

VSG Student Body President Frances Burton sends a heartfelt message to her fellow classmates as they prepare to graduate during this unprecedented time. Read More

Nashville’s Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge will be lit in Vanderbilt University colors the evening of May 8, in celebration of—and in solidarity with—the graduating Class of 2020. Read More