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the Wond'ry E-Newsletter [Vanderbilt University]

March 2019

Much like the new spring flowers we see blossoming around our Vanderbilt campus, innovation endeavors are also in full bloom at the Wond’ry. This month I am proud to announce two exciting new workshops: “Building Your Personal Brand” and “Music Creates: The Future of Music.” Where else than at the Wond’ry could you learn the best practices of presenting your unique skills and talents on one day and then later in the week learn how music is being transformed by technology? Truly fascinating, mind expanding programs that get the innovation juices flowing.

 

This past month we also proudly hosted Dr. Tammy Kernodle, Professor of Musicology at Miami University in Ohio, and her performance “She Sang Freedom: Black Women, Music, and the Struggle for Social Justice.” An inspiring event that brought together many members from around our campus and Nashville community to discuss how music is a key driver in the struggle for equality and social justice.

 

From an entrepreneurial perspective, it has been exciting to see four new student and faculty teams graduate from the I-Corps National program via the I-Corps Site here at Vanderbilt University. We have now had 10 teams go through the national program in our first year as an I-Corps site with each receiving $50,000 in non-dilutive funding with many planning on pursuing additional grant and venture funding opportunities in the future. To put things in perspective, most universities with established I-Corps sites only send 1-2 teams per year to the national program, so we are greatly exceeding expectations. Also this past month Christal Hector (VU A&S ’19) proudly represented the Wond’ry and her music startup TuneHatch at the Southeastern Entrepreneurship Conference where she was a Top 10 selection. Great job Christal!

 

Finally, I recommend you all to follow our social media page (@theWONDRY) on Instagram and especially our new “Faces of the Wond’ry” initiative to see all the unique ways our Vanderbilt community is engaging with innovation at our Center.

 

Come visit the Wond’ry and start your own innovation journey today!

 

Innovate Onward!

robertsignature
-Robert Grajewski
Evans Family Executive Director of the Wond’ry


Featured Upcoming Events:

Building Your Personal Brand

What’s unique about you? Are you doing a good job of making sure the world knows it? Join VU Professor Patrick Leddin of Managerial Studies to learn best practices for marketing yourself to others; along with professional podcaster & entrepreneur Clark Buckner to learn about S.T.E.P.S.–intentional actions you can take to improve your odds of success.

March 19, from 5:00-6:15 PM, in the Wond’ry 3rd Floor Lounge.

 

Music Creates: The Future of Music

Video Announcement

On March 25, at 5:00 PM, join Wond’ry Mentor Kane Harrison as he hosts an exciting look into the music industry, featuring a guest panel of Nashville music executivies and performers, as well as live musical performances and refreshments!

Guest Panelists include:

  • Mark Montgomery, Founder of IDDO and Flo
  • John Ozier, VP of ole
  • Randy Wachtler, President of RJW Music Consulting
  • Sinead Burgess, Singer/songwriter

Music Creates will take place at Harrison Media Holdings on Cannery Row, 521 8th Avenue South #302, Nashville, TN 37203.  For assistance with transportation arrangements to the venue from Vanderbilt campus, please email thewondry@vanderbilt.edu.


She Sang Freedom

Dr. Tammy Kernodle, Professor of Musicology at Miami University in Ohio, visited the Wond’ry for a performance titled “She Sang Freedom: Black Women, Music, and the Struggle for Social Justice” on February 21.

Highlighting music as early as the 1800s up to modern times, the performance explored how black women musicians have used music as a means of documenting and promoting the struggle for equality and social justice in America.


IBM Quantum Computing Workshop

The Wond’ry was pleased to welcome IBM Quantum Ambassador Robert Loredo on March 14, for a lecture on Qiskit, IBM’s open-source quantum computing platform.  Participants were guided through an introduction to quantum computing concepts and then led through coding activities making use of IBM’s Qiskit resources.

The workshop was just one of several events in which IBM has partnered with the Wond’ry over the past two semesters.  Other events include lectures on Blockchain, workshops to build IBM TJBots, and the opening of the IBM Watson Hub in the Wond’ry’s Emerging Tech Lab.  Additional events for the 2019 Fall semester are planned.


In the News:


Our Pillar Programs:

Innovation Garage

In the Innovation Garage, an array of corporate sponsors partner with Vanderbilt student and faculty teams on cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary projects. The goal of this program is to identify disruptive and innovative solutions that improve industry all while providing unique opportunities for students to build their skills via real-world problem solving.

Entrepreneur PreLaunch and PostLaunch

For aspiring Vanderbilt entrepreneurs, the Wond’ry offers a PreLaunch program that provides the foundational knowledge needed to successfully assess an idea, as well as a PostLaunch program aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs that are ready to learn the steps needed to launch a venture. These 7-week programs are now a part of Vanderbilt’s I-Corps Site program for STEM entrepreneurs that provides micro-grant funding from the NSF and access to the National I-Corps program.

Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship

The Social Innovation Program assists students, faculty, and staff with  designing a business model that uses revenue to solve societal issues, from food deserts and poverty to education and affordable housing. Each year, the Wond’ry focuses on partnering with local and regional non-profit and government organizations to lend Vanderbilt’s mental capital in order to develop solutions.

Fostering an Innovation Culture

From artist/music exhibits and speaker series to hackathons and business plan competitions, the Wond’ry hosts workshops, speakers, and events that cater to an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.


Past Versions of News from the Wond’ry:

To view past versions of News from the Wond’ry, please visit our website:
https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/newsletter/

Upcoming Events

Makerspace Safety Seminar
A one-hour course required before accessing Wond’ry Makerspaces.  No reservation required.

Every Monday through Thursday, 7-8pm
the Wond’ry, 2nd Floor

 

Electronic Kit Building Workshop
Learn the basics of working with electronic circuits.

Every Friday, 3-5pm
the Wond’ry, 2nd Floor

 

Building Your Personal Brand
Identify, improve, and learn to sell your personal strengths.

March 19, 5-6:15pm
the Wond’ry, 3rd Floor Lounge

 

Intro to 3D CAD for 3D Printing
Learn how to make use of the Wond’ry’s free 3D printing services.

March 19, 6:30-8:30pm
the Wond’ry, 2nd Floor Makerspace

 

Sewing Fundamentals
learn the basics of sewing and using the Wond’ry’s industrial sewing machine.

March 20, 7-9pm
the Wond’ry, 2nd Floor Makerspace

 

TIPs Fair
Vanderbilt’s Trans-Institutional Programs exhibition on current and future collaborations.

March 21, 4-6pm
the Wond’ry

 

Hack++
Student organization Change++ hosts this day-long coding event, open to beginners and experts alike.

March 23, 9am-9pm
the Wond’ry

 

Music Creates: The Future of Music
Guest panel of Nashville music execs and performers, with live performances and refreshments.

March 25, 5-7pm
Harrison Media Holdings
Cannery Row
521 8th Avenue South #302
Nashville, TN

 

IBM TJBot Workshop Group A
Learn about IBM TJBots and build your own for free in this 4-workshop series!  Group A meets on Tuesdays.

March 26, 6-7pm
the Wond’ry, Room 202

 

Business & Engineering Meetup
Business majors and Engineering majors are invited to this casual meetup of engineering know-how and business savvy.  Free food!

March 27, 5:30-7:30pm
the Wond’ry, 2nd Floor Lounge

 

AR/VR Monthly Meetup
Nashville-area VR enthusiasts meet to hang out, discuss advancements in VR, and try out new software.

March 28, 6-8pm
the Wond’ry, 2nd Floor Lounge

 

IBM TJBot Workshop Group B
Learn about IBM TJBots and build your own for free in this 4-workshop series!  Group B meets on Thursdays.

March 28, 6-7pm
the Wond’ry, Room 202

 

48 Hour Launch
Get your business startup started with this two-day event hosted by VINES.

March 30 & 31
the Wond’ry, Room 044

 

Vanderbilt China Forum 2019
The Wond’ry co-sponsors this annual event discussing Sino-U.S. relations.

March 30 & 31
Sarratt Student Center

 

Venture Capitalism 101
Learn the basics of the high-risk/high-reward world of VC with Wond’ry Mentor Jeff Gould.

April 2, 5-6pm
the Wond’ry, 3rd Floor Lounge

 

Techstars Startup Weekend
Join a team, create a prototype, validate your business idea, and receive feedback from experienced entrepreneurs, all in one weekend.

April 5-7
Wilson Hall

 

Qawwali: Music of Mystics
The Wond’ry co-sponsors this event by the Pakistani Students Association, a showcase of the 800-year-old, South Asian musical art of Qawwali.

April 6, 5-7:30pm
Alumni Hall 202

 

ArtLab: Focal Point: Lights, Lasers, and Lenses
Explore the intersection of art and science, enjoy free food and a laser light show!

April 11, 6-9pm
the Wond’ry, 2nd Floor Lounge


Opportunities

Apply for the Inaugural Social Ventures Think Tank

The Wond’ry is accepting applications for the inaugural Social Ventures Think Tank. This student group will work with a leading non-profit and a government organization in Nashville to design solutions that improve processes and revenue. To apply, email theWondry@vanderbilt.edu.

Pitch at the 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival

36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival’s student entrepreneur showcase and pitch competition, 36|86: Student Edition, gives students a platform to access funding, marketing support and community and corporate resources. The goal of the pitch competition is to support the launch of viable student businesses.


Meet Our Mentors

Have a question about intellectual property, commercialization, a business or product idea, professional leadership, etc.? Connect with our network of local Nashville entrepreneurs and business experts, as well as professionals from other departments around campus during their open office hours on the 3rd floor.


Stay Connected

For the most up-to-date information, event reminders, and opportunities connect with us on social media (@theWondry, the Wondry).

 

Located at:
2414 Highland Avenue
Suite 102
Nashville, TN 37212
615-875-9564

Connect with Us

For additional information on the Wond’ry, including office hours, please visit thewondry.com.

      

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