Nora Wellman Rich is a 1978 graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in Civil Engineering. She attended Hillsboro High School in Nashville, and (without applying) accepted admission to Vanderbilt during a campus interview when offered not only admission, but a campus dorm room (rare for Nashville applicants in 1974).

At Vanderbilt she quickly and wisely became enamored with and otherwise smitten by Tate Rich, whom she married in 1977 after her junior year. Nora was a freshman cheerleader and a member of the Tri- Delta Sorority, and to this day wonders why she spent many hours in the computer lab programming in Fortran and Snobol.

Upon graduation, Nora accepted a position with South Central Bell where she was in management training. Her business career was interrupted with the birth of Johnny (VU, M.Ed’03, teacher and coach, Ensworth School), Tate, Jr. (VU Owen ‘09), Grace (company member, Nashville Ballet), and Lucile (VU’10). She expects to be a grandmother in August.

As a homemaker, Nora has for several years run an antique booth. She has also developed some proficiency in basket making, lamp wiring and restoration, furniture reconditioning and painting, gardening, and flower arranging, which she has done for many years at Westminister Presbyterian Church. Additionally, Nora has volunteered for Katrina Aid in Mississippi and Habitat for Humanity in Nashville, where she claims her expertise is in caulking.

Nora is active with the Nashville Chapter of Tri-Delta and is a zealous follower of Vanderbilt athletics. She can be found most fall Saturdays tailgating off Natchez Trace.

By Tate Rich, BA'76 (husband)