OUCRL has moved in to the formerly known Community Partnership House (CPH), that also formerly served as the Chancellor’s Mansion. With former residents such as the University Club, a sorority, admissions and Chancellors, the new space for OUCRL will be a vast improvement from the Tarpley Building where Religious Life had resided for decades past. Click here to see more images of the new building! (Plus two historic pictures of the building from years past)

Located at 401 24th Ave South, the building is located only feet from the Branscomb dorms and more centrally located on campus than the previous building. Adjacent to the Student Life Center, University Club and Feathering Hall, the new offices give easy access for students, staff and faculty alike. Inside, the building offers additional offices and meeting spaces. In addition to the office spaces for the Presbyterian Student Fellowship, Reformed University Fellowship, Chabad Jewish Student Center, and others, we are able to have Fr. John Sims Baker, our Affiliated Catholic Chaplain have space in our office as well.

The building hosts a larger conference room, library (with a proposed “technology-free zone”), and a new lobby and reception desk when visitors enter the front door. In addition, the building features a very large Fireside Lounge where students and groups can meet, host receptions, and watch television and movies. Behind this space is another large space that will be work space for students and feature a computer for all students to utilize. Outside the building has a spacious patio with outdoor tables and chairs where all can enjoy the lush greenery and massive trees that have been a part of the house’s charm for decades. Behind the building is the Annex, where Muslim prayers have been held and will continue to serve the Vanderbilt community as students, staff and faculty, including the Medical Center, have access for prayer throughout the day.

On August 22nd later this summer, OUCRL will host an Open House and Cook Out once the academic year has begun for all students, staff, faculty, community, but especially new students, that will show the wonderful potential this new space brings to OUCRL. What will come to be a welcoming and “home away from home” space for students, the new space will be a comfortable place to relax, study, read, watch TV, meet, discuss and engage with one another, our various Chaplains, staff, and a feeling of respite and relaxation on Vanderbilt’s busy campus.

One of the lesser known treasures of Vanderbilt’s campus can be seen when one walks down the side isle of Benton Chapel. Near the front, on the side wall to the left of the main altar, are two simple plaques that pay homage to a man and his wife who gave so much to Vanderbilt. Chancellor Harvie Branscomb, and his wife of 71 years, Margaret, have their ashes inurned (the actual term for internment of ashes) of  in the wall of the chapel that he saw opened during his tenure as Vanderbilt’s Chancellor. Simply indicating that he was Vanderbilt’s fourth chancellor, the plaque is simple, yet distinguished as the final resting place of someone who saw Vanderbilt go through the Civil Rights Movement  and see the vision of Vanderbilt change from a leading Southern University to a National Leader among all Universities.

Below his plaque is a simple quote, written in Koine Greek, that gives testament to the character and work of Chancellor Branscomb and also his theological training at the same time. The Chancellor saw Vanderbilt through the issues of integration and civil rights and worked with students, staff, faculty, and the Board of Trust to bring the best possible outcome for all.

Read this bio of Chancellor Branscomb:

Harvie Branscomb 1946-1963

Born in Huntsville, Ala., Harvie Branscomb, the son of a Methodist minister, earned his B.A. at Birmingham Southern and a distinguished M.A. in biblical studies as a Rhodes Scholar. After working on the same Hoover relief commission as Oliver Carmichael, he served in the Army and then took a professorship at Southern Methodist University before earning a Ph.D. at Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University. The 51-year-old dean of the divinity school at Duke University was named Vanderbilt chancellor in 1945.

In his 17 years as chancellor, Branscomb directed an expansion of Vanderbilt that resulted in a doubling of the number of buildings. Perhaps more important than the expansion of facilities, however, was the expansion of Vanderbilt’s vision of what it could become. Not satisfied with Vanderbilt as a great Southern university, Branscomb wanted Vanderbilt to become a national leader among universities.

The chancellor knew that Vanderbilt must be open, not only to all types of ideas, but also to all types of people. He stressed the idea that Vanderbilt could not hope to become a true national university unless it was willing to make changes, and that meant dealing with racial integration at a time when higher education in the South was strictly segregated.

First, Branscomb explained to the Board of Trust that Peabody College had admitted two African Americans and, unless the board wanted to break a long-standing cooperative agreement with Peabody, Vanderbilt would have to allow the students to take Vanderbilt classes.

A few meetings later Branscomb was back, explaining that he was confronted with the case of a black minister from Jackson, Tenn., who wanted to take courses at the divinity school. After all, the chancellor said, it would look bad to turn down a minister.

Then, a little later, the chancellor explained that because of a new position taken by the American Association of Law Schools, Vanderbilt’s law school might lose its accreditation if it didn’t admit African Americans. Later, he explained that the university in general was in danger of losing foundation support if it did not admit more African Americans.

All the while, Branscomb was subtly encouraging the Faculty Senate to vote overwhelmingly in favor of integration, nudging student groups to speak out. One of his allies was the editor of the Vanderbilt Hustler, who campaigned for open admissions. That editor was a student named Lamar Alexander, who would later become governor of Tennessee, U.S. Secretary of Education, and U.S. Senator.

Branscomb is credited with transforming the selection process for nominees to the Board of Trust in order to attract leaders of national as well as local institutions. He recruited Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, great-grandson of founder Cornelius Vanderbilt, to membership on the board. In an effort to recruit and retain distinguished scholars and scientists to the university’s faculty, Branscomb urged the board to reinforce the university’s commitment to academic freedom, raise faculty salaries and recruit distinguished faculty.

Despite the discord caused late in his administration by fallout from the expulsion for civil disobedience of black divinity student James Lawson (who returned to Vanderbilt in 2006 as Distinguished University Professor), by the end of his chancellorship, Branscomb had guided Vanderbilt to an open admissions policy, constructed vastly improved facilities and laid the foundation for a national reputation, including election to the elite American Association of Universities in 1949. Branscomb retired in 1963, and the board named Alexander Heard, 48, as chancellor.

Branscomb lived another 35 years, dying on July 24, 1998, at the age of 103. He maintained an office in Kirkland Hall until his death, and attended university functions until shortly before he died.

The Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life is always honored to be a part of a couple’s special day. The University opens up Benton Chapel, our largest chapel on campus to couples on Saturdays to hold weddings. With Vanderbilt holding a special place for many, and the historic feel and look calling to anyone, the campus is a wonderful place for weddings of any size. Just as with any location, Benton Chapel’s height for wedding season is in the beginning of the summer. With 2013 being no exception, almost every weekend is filled with a different couple beginning their lives together in our beloved chapel.

The Chapel has seen many special occasions over the years and many different faith traditions using the chapel for the ceremony. As Benton Chapel gets more use, the University will be investing more into the chapel with the installation of a new projector system that can be of use for weddings, memorial services and lectures. Seating over 300 on the main floor and an additional 100 in the balcony, the chapel can accommodate many different sized parties. With light streaming through the classic stained glass windows, the vast space of the chapel is warmed by the array of colors of light.

Over time, the OUCRL has worked with many local caters, hotels, reception halls, florists and musicians that come together to make weddings special. A hidden resource on campus, the chapel is available to hold weddings throughout the year. As the Chapel grows, more couples are welcome to make Vanderbilt a part of their special day.

Benton Chapel stands conjoined to the Divinity School as a mark of where Vanderbilt has come from and still takes center stage in the special moments for students and alumni alike. As a part of the past of Vanderbilt, the chapel has seen commencements, performances, religious services, guest speakers, holidays, memorials and weddings through the years. The stained glass colors that stream through the windows are a testament to the various types of special occasions that have taken place in this wonderful building. The chapel is always open for students to use and enter to partake of its ambiance, color, and quiet simplicity. One can always find someone in the chapel at most hours either in quiet prayer, reflective reading, or quiet solace. Click the link to read the history of the chapel and how it adds to the significance of events that continue to take place in the chapel today.

Benton Chapel History

The University Organist is responsible for playing for any University service in Benton
Chapel, such as occasional University-wide services offered by the University
Chaplain’s office, memorial services, etc. Remuneration is a stipend paid once
each semester. This does not include playing for services offered by the
affiliated chaplaincies, but only for University services.

The University Organist imay be responsible for playing occasional services for Vanderbilt Divinity School (VDS), as contracted by VDS. Remuneration for these services would be in
addition to the stipend.

The University Organist has the right of first refusal for all weddings held in Benton Chapel.
If the University Organist cannot play for a wedding, he/she is to
recommend/approve a substitute. Wedding fee, including a music consultation
with the bride, is $350, paid by the wedding party in advance of the wedding.

The University Organist oversees the maintenance of the Benton Chapel organ, in coordination with the Office of Religious Life. The Office of Religious Life has responsibility for the budget.

The organ in Benton Chapel is an electronic 3 manual Allen.

Please email a cover letter and resume to: religiouslife@vanderbilt.edu

Alternatively, a cover letter and resume sent by postal mail may be addressed to:

Kay Tyler, Administrative Assistant

Office of Religious Life

PMB 406311

2301 Vanderbilt Place

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN 37240

Welcomed by University Chaplain Rev. Mark Forrester and Dean of Students Mark Bandas, Vanderbilt’s Interfaith Council helped bring short spiritual reflections from four faith traditions to pause and remember the tragedy. Sid Sapru, the new president of Interfaith Council gave some opening remarks followed by reflections by Alexis Simonetti for Christianity, Fardin Mohammadi for Islam, Aditya Karhade for Hinduism, and Jacob Grossman for Judaism.

A short break in the middle of busy finals time, students, staff, faculty and others paused for a short moment of contemplation and solace for those who were affected by the tragedies of Boston, Texas and Asia. Click on the photo below for a few images.

Here is the Facebook event.

View the photos.

• Anita Puckett, DeKalb Middle School, Smithville, TN
• Julie Kinder, Robertsville Middle School, Oak Ridge, TN
• Noelle Smith, South Greene High School, Greeneville, TN
• Rebecca Hasselle, Dyersburg Middle School, Dyersburg, TN

Images from the “Living On” exhibit were on display in the main hallway of the State Legislature from April 8-12, 2013. The ceremony and exhibit were open to the public.

With the lighting of six candles at the State Capitol, dozens of people pledged not to forget those who died during the horrors of the Holocaust — one million for each candle in the room. It attracted a handful of Holocaust survivors and their relatives.

Participants recited traditional Jewish prayers and sang a series of songs in honor of the millions who died and countless others affected by the Holocaust. The Women’s Choir Vox Grata gave a beautiful performance with vioces filling the chamber. High school and college students from across the state, including some from Middle Tennessee State University, shared their reflections.