Vanderbilt Alumni

10/06/2026

Countless buildings around the state of Florida owe their foundation to FINFROCK, but Allen and Laura Finfrock credit their own foundation to Vanderbilt.

The couple’s Vanderbilt story began as students in Nashville, and their connection to the university continues to grow through their daughter, Sarah, a current engineering student, and their support for Vanderbilt’s growing presence in West Palm Beach.

Read more: https://giving.vanderbilt.edu/finfrock-family-lay-foundation-for-west-palm-beach-future

10/01/2026

What if the next big idea in healthcare starts with a Vanderbilt student?

A new $5 million gift from Adam and Shira Boehler will establish the Boehler Program in Healthcare Entrepreneurship and Innovation (HCEi), giving exceptional students the opportunity to work at the intersection of business, medicine, technology and policy.

Anchored at the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, the program will combine rigorous academics with hands-on experience in Nashville’s healthcare ecosystem and Vanderbilt’s growing presence in markets across the country. Students will be prepared to build companies, lead organizations and develop new approaches to some of healthcare’s biggest challenges.

Read the full story and learn more about the Boehler Program:
giving.vanderbilt.edu/5-million-gift-boehler-program/

09/28/2026

For Bryan Simmons, MD’76, Vanderbilt was the beginning of a career in medicine, lifelong friendships and experiences that stayed with him long after graduation.

Now, Bryan and his wife, Barbara, are giving back through an endowed scholarship at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Dr. and Mrs. Bryan and Barbara Simmons Chair in Infectious Diseases. Their gifts will help support the next generation of physicians and strengthen the field of infectious diseases.

Read their story: http://vu.edu/-fmfq

09/24/2026

“We’ve seen an explosion of support for Vanderbilt, and that support is a testament of trust.” —Daniel Diermeier

From a conversation on civil discourse and open debate to a first look at the College of Connected Computing and a last-second Commodores win, Family Weekend 2026 showed families a university that is growing and leading with its values.

See more: http://vu.edu/bm458

09/24/2026

09/20/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable Family Weekend! 🖤💛 Upload your photos and videos for a chance to be featured on Vanderbilt social media: http://vu.edu/xtkrm

09/19/2026

A Family Weekend win for the Dores! ⚓️⬇️

09/19/2026

Family Weekend is officially here! 🎉 Our Vanderbilt parents and families have arrived on campus for a week of connection and Commodore pride.

09/18/2026

“Legacy is not just about the past—it’s also a springboard for what’s next.

That’s how Trustee Emerita Shirley Collado, BS’94, describes watching her niece, Jadyn, follow her own path to VU decades after Shirley's time on campus—a full-circle moment that inspired her support.

For the Harrises, watching their daughter, Skyelar, pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian inspired them to give back. Stories like theirs reflect the campaign: alumni, parents, relatives and friends coming together to push Vanderbilt forward.

As Family Weekend kicks off, we’re celebrating the parents and loved ones who help make a Vanderbilt education possible. Parent support has grown 450% over the past five years, thanks to countless families investing in VU’s future.

Read more stories about Vanderbilt families: https://giving.vanderbilt.edu/category/parents-and-families/

09/17/2026

A new $25 million gift from Michael and Allison Rees will help Vanderbilt students prepare for careers in finance earlier and with more opportunities to learn, connect and gain real-world experience.

The gift will establish the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Center for Finance, bringing together academic coursework, career coaching, experiential learning and connections with industry leaders.

Anchored at the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, the new center will build on Vanderbilt’s growing presence in New York City and help students navigate an increasingly competitive finance recruiting landscape.

Learn more: http://vu.edu/y2dtf