Jan. 27, 2021 – Class of 2021 Commencement Update
Dear Class of 2021 students and families,
You have embarked on one of the most special semesters of your academic careers—and your last as a class at Vanderbilt. Your final year coincided with a historic time around the world, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our lives in unprecedented ways. You have demonstrated tremendous resilience, creativity and support for one another. We are proud of your achievements here and of the values that will carry you onward in your personal and professional journeys.
We are looking forward to celebrating your graduation this May and hope that we will be able to do so in person. However, we are acutely aware of the challenge to public health brought on by the ongoing pandemic. We are monitoring developing conditions under the expert guidance of local, state and national public health authorities.
Our ability to host in-person events will depend not only on the state of the pandemic at large, but on our ongoing success on campus as we Anchor Down and Step Up this spring. As a class, the model leadership that you can provide to all students in adhering to campus safety protocols is needed now more than ever.
In the coming weeks, we will announce more details about official plans for the May 2021 Commencement ceremony. We are grateful for your patience as we explore scenarios that will prioritize our commitment to honoring and celebrating your accomplishments while protecting health and safety as much as possible. We could not be more proud of our graduating students than we are this year.
Thank you, and we look forward to being in touch again soon.
Daniel Diermeier
Chancellor
Susan R. Wente
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs