Intellect

Here at Vanderbilt, intellectual discovery is at the center of all that we do. From dinners at the Dean of The Ingram Commons’s Residence to lectures from esteemed scholars and casual interactions with the faculty heads, we ensure that academic inquiry remains at the forefront of the Residential College Experience.

Even outside of the classroom, faculty and students of all grade levels engage together in thought-provoking dialogues on topics as wide-ranging as the history of lobotomies to academic integrity. Students develop a greater appreciation for academic inquiry through specific programs and initiatives, including the Campus Reading, faculty-led dinner discussions, and interactions with Patterson Fellows staying within the Residential Colleges. In 2018, students had the opportunity to take a bus tour of North Nashville, home of Vanderbilt alum Perry Wallace, the first African American basketball player in the SEC, civil rights pioneer, and subject of the 2016 and 2017 Campus Reading, Strong Inside. More recently, students have been able to take part in field trips organized by the Residential Colleges staff to places such as the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Nashville Zoo, and more. These kinds of programs and initiatives empower students to acquire an appreciation for creative and intellectual discovery that broaden and complement their course of study.