The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 102, No. 16

Students told Susan Ford Wiltshire, professor of classics, that they wanted to know the world beyond campus. Wiltshire suggested that they launch a spring break program of community service to discover different cultures, places and social issues. She had no takers that first year. The next year, Ethel Johnson (now Harris) responded. “I am going to try to change some things,” Harris, BA’87, said. The English and molecular biology major did. About 75 students enthusiastically inaugurated Alternative Spring Break in 1986. Organizers had hoped for a mere 25. More than 20 years later, thousands of students have participated in Alternative Spring Break, thousands of people have been served, and the program has spread to campuses nationwide. Even in its infancy, the student-run organization attracted interest on campus and inspired awe at how fast it grew. In 2009, more than 420 volunteers worked on 35 sites in the U.S. and Guatemala instead of hitting the beach or slopes. Projects included repairing houses, caring for HIV-infected children, protecting endangered species and confronting other social issues. Alternative Spring Break is so popular that the organization has a wait list of students wanting to participate.  

The Vanderbilt Register, March 24, 1989

Vanderbilt Magazine, Vol. 84, No. 2

Orbis, Vol. 3, No. 9

The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 118, No. 17

OverVU, Feb. 1988

The Commodore 1987

All images are reproduced courtesy of Vanderbilt University Special Collections and Archives.

Hustler, Vol. 72, No. 6

Before Deal or No Deal, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire or even Jeopardy, there was the GE College Bowl Quiz program. In 1960, Vanderbilt’s team of “thinking people”—Bob Andrews, BA’62; Rollin Lasseter, BA’61; Charles Ryan, BA’63; Jon Wilson, BA’61; and alternate Jim Moody, BA’61—became one of only a handful of university teams with a string of four quiz program wins. The students and their coach, Philip Hallie, professor of philosophy, flew to New York City every week to appear on the nationally televised program before losing to Vassar in their fifth match. The competition earned $6,500 for university scholarship funds, gave team members bragging rights, and brought awareness of Vanderbilt to millions of homes across the country. The excitement on campus ranged from 70 students vying for the five team slots to what was estimated as one-half to nearly two-thirds of the student body tuned into the team’s television appearances.

Hustler, Vol. 72, No. 4

Hustler, Vol. 72, No. 9;

The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 72, No. 1

Alumnus, Jan.–Feb. 1961

Hustler, Vol. 72, No. 10

Click image to enlarge. 1967 Commodore, page 96

In the spring of 1967, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., beat poet Allen Ginsberg, segregation supporter and senator Strom Thurmond, and black power advocate Stokely Carmichael were among the speakers at IMPACT ’67, a student-run symposium. Carmichael’s visit proved to be the most controversial. Before he arrived, the Tennessee state legislature and American Legion condemned his views, the Nashville Banner ran stories opposing him, and then-Chancellor Heard was counseled to overrule the students and rescind Carmichael’s invitation (he didn’t). While Carmichael’s Vanderbilt appearance was calm, the militant leader of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee also spoke at Fisk University and was blamed when race riots broke out in Nashville that weekend. 

The highly regarded IMPACT Symposium has featured a long history of illustrious speakers since it began in 1964. It continues to draw speakers annually to discuss current events and topics of a controversial nature.

Click image to enlarge. 1967 Commodore, page 90

Click image to enlarge. The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 78, No. 26

Click image to enlarge. The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 78, No. 23

Click image to enlarge. 1967 Commodore, page 91

Click image to enlarge. The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 78, No. 26

Click image to enlarge. The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 78, No. 27

Click image to enlarge. Hustler, Vol. 78, No. 26

All images are reproduced courtesy of Vanderbilt University Special Collections and Archives.