One year’s photo of gowned Arts and Science graduates can appear like that of any other year—except for the hairstyles, shoes, glasses and of course, the statistics. Take a look at Commencement in past years as seen through the pages and lenses of campus media and photographers. (Facts and stats are from Commencement 2011.)

• 18,000 programs printed
• 43 faculty marshals used to organize graduates and faculty
• 75+ volunteers
• 27,550 chairs and 27 tents set up
• 18,000 bottled water containers for guests and graduates
• 300+ recycling containers
• 20,000 hand fans distributed
• Estimated 17,000–20,000 graduates, guests and faculty on Alumni Lawn
• In the 2010 ceremonies, a graduate’s name was called every 3.8 seconds (adding one second to each name would add 26 minutes to the event).

(1) Vanderbilt Alumnus, Vol. 45, No. 5, May–June 1960;

(2) Commencement program, 1932;

(3) Vanderbilt Magazine, summer 2008;

(4) Vanderbilt Today, Vol. 23, No. 1, summer 1983;

(5) Vanderbilt Today, Vol. 27, No. 3, summer 1988;

(6) Vanderbilt Register, Vol. 15, No. 31, May 6–19, 1996;

(7) Vanderbilt Alumnus, Vol. 26, No. 8, June 1941;

(8) Faculty Senate Chair Mildred Stahlman, professor of pediatrics; Chancellor Alexander Heard; Board of Trust President Sam Fleming and former Board President William Vaughn, 1975;

(9) Awarding of Arts and Science degrees, Commencement 2010.

In fall 1975, four undergraduates with love for performing and Broadway musicals launched a new campus organization called the Original Cast, a Broadway revue troupe. That first year, they had to find their own funding, run auditions, find places to rehearse and perform, and put on a show. Now 35 years later, the group started by Laura Jansen (BA’78), Ron Mayers (BA’77), Phil Walker (BA’77) and Margie Womer (BSN’79) continues its long run as one of Vanderbilt’s most popular performing arts groups. Student developed, led, directed, produced, choreographed, promoted and staged, the Original Cast performs every semester to audience acclaim. Each production showcases 16 to 18 cast members singing and performing numbers from different Broadway and movie musicals. Most students stay involved for several years, and alumni of the close-knit performance troupe stay in touch, attending shows and organizing reunions. Over the years, the Original Cast has performed at school and alumni functions, on cruises and on tours across Europe and the West Coast.

(1) Vanderbilt Alumnus, Winter 1978, vol. 63, no. 2

(2) 1976 Commodore

(3) Vanderbilt Hustler, vol. 88, no. 26

(4) Vanderbilt Hustler, vol. 119, no. 61

(5) Cast photo 2010

(6) 30th anniversary program

(7) Ticket for 2008 performance of Catching Fire

(8) Vanderbilt Hustler, vol. 87, no. 12.

(9) Promotional album jacket

The campus welcomes notable speakers each spring, but none generated more excitement than President John F. Kennedy did on May 18, 1963. Dudley Field was packed as the president commemorated the university’s 90th anniversary. College of Arts and Science seniors Linda Armstrong (now Causey), BA’63, and Thomas Abernathy, BA’63, JD’67, represented the student body on the platform during the ceremonies and spoke with JFK.

The president later autographed a copy of his remarks as printed in the Vanderbilt Gazette and thanked Chancellor Heard by telegram for the welcome he had received.

The joy of the successful celebration was made poignant when Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas just six months later.

(1) John F. Kennedy reading the event’s official program;

(2) The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 74, No. 23;

(3) Invitation sent to guests;

(4) Kennedy with students Armstrong and Abernathy;

(5) The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 74, No. 29;

(6) JFK autographed copy of The Vanderbilt Gazette, May 22, 1963;

(7) Vanderbilt Alumnus, Vol. 48, No. 6;

(8) Telegram from JFK to Chancellor Heard;

(9) Vanderbilt band on Dudley Field;

(10) The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vol. 74, No. 30;

(11) Event parking pass

All images and historic items are reproduced courtesy ofVanderbilt University Special Collections and Archives.

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

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.

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