On behalf of the Vanderbilt Parents and Family Association Board, it is our pleasure to welcome you as members of the Vanderbilt community! In the heart of the dynamic city of Nashville, nurtured by remarkable Vanderbilt faculty, your student has landed in an environment that will allow them to thrive alongside other impressive students.
For 150 years, Vanderbilt has been at the forefront of higher education. Through honored traditions and thoughtfully prepared experiential programs that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving, our students are learning to be effective leaders and changemakers who will tackle our world's most pressing issues.
Your student can take advantage of a variety of resources Vanderbilt offers to make their journey more meaningful. Our daughter found lifelong friends through the programming at The Commons during her freshman year. She also found many homes on campus: Embrace, a girls' mentoring program, Page by Page, a reading tutoring program, and Greek Life. She went on to lead the 'Dore for a Day Organization. Our son found his passion with the Naval ROTC Unit, continues to skate with the Vanderbilt Ice Hockey Club, and participates in Greek life. Most recently he co-founded a new scuba diving club. Regardless of who, what, when, or where, encourage your student to go beyond the classroom to add vibrant color to their years at Vanderbilt.
While your student is at Vanderbilt, we urge you to get involved in the community. You, too, can add color to your family's Vanderbilt experience. One way you can do this is by volunteering. The Vanderbilt Parent Ambassador Program allows parents to the involved when and where they want. There are many opportunities in your area, virtually and on campus! You can find more information about volunteer opportunities here. As current family members, you can also participate in Vanderbilt Chapter events to meet other parents and alumni in your area. We urge you to take advantage of the many resources, initiatives, and programming available to the entire Vanderbilt community, which now includes you.
Personally, as parents of a Vanderbilt alumna and an undergraduate student, we have cheered on many of our Commodore athletes. We have shared in the joy of The Commons freshman Move-In numerous times - it never gets old - and after six Family Weekends, we can say it gets better and better. Through our visits to campus, we have also met other parents with whom we maintain friendships. Our Atlanta Vanderbilt Chapter events have given us opportunities to "Anchor Down" closer to home.
We are incredibly honored and grateful to be part of the Parents and Family Association and we look forward to personally meeting you at one of the many events this year!
Roseann and Jeff Gapusan
PAFA Board Chairs
Parents of Madeleine, BS '21, and Zachary, Class of 2025
Smyrna, GA
