GCR Blog | Government and Community Relations /government-community-relations Just another ý Digital Strategies site Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:34:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Vanderbilt submits comments on proposed changes to federal financial assistance regulations /government-community-relations/2026/07/23/vanderbilt-submits-comments-on-proposed-changes-to-federal-financial-assistance-regulations/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:56:24 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3774

ýin response to the Office of Management and Budget's proposed rule,, which was published on May 29, 2026.

The proposed rule would revise the regulation commonly referred to as Uniform Guidance. Uniform Guidanceestablishesgovernment-wide requirements for how federal grants, cooperative agreements and other forms of federal financialassistanceare managed and audited.

According toOMB, the proposed revisions are intended to improve transparency,accountabilityand oversight of federal awards, clarify the regulatory status of the UniformGuidanceand reduce administrative burden for recipients whereappropriate. The proposal also includes changes related to award administration, recipientresponsibilitiesand agency oversight of federal financialassistance.

Because the Uniform Guidance applies acrossnearly allfederal grant-making agencies, any final changes could affect the administration and management of federally sponsored research and other federally funded programs at colleges and universities.

On behalf of Vanderbilt, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier submitted institutional comments during the public comment period, drawing on expertise from across the university. As one of the nation's leading research universities, Vanderbilt currently manages more than $1.1 billion in active federal research awards across 45 federal agencies and works closely with the federal government to advance research, education and innovation. ý is committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer funding and appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback.

Theuniversity’scomments focusedon the overarching concern that several key provisions are in direct tension with the goals of,“Restoring Gold Standard Science.”

Specifically, Vanderbilt provided feedback on provisions that would:

  • Undermine translational and applied research through rigid award categorization.
  • Add a layer of review that is not sufficiently defined.
  • Restrict access to the international research infrastructure essential to scientific leadership.
  • Destabilize active research programs by introducing uncertainty around potential grounds for suspension or termination.

Several higher educationand research associationsof which ý is a member alsosubmittedcomments on the proposed rule. Their comment letters and related resources provideadditionalperspectives on the potential implications for researchuniversities:

What Happens Next?
The public comment period closed on July 13, 2026. The Office of Management and Budget will review commentssubmittedby stakeholders beforedecidingwhether to issue a final rule. If the agency issues a final rule, it will publish the final regulatory text in theFederal Registeralong with an effective date and responses to significant public comments. Federal grant-making agencies will then make any necessary conforming changes to their own implementing regulations.

Vanderbilt’sOffice of Federal Relationswill monitor the rulemaking process and continue working with campus partners asitmoves forward.

]]> Vanderbilt advocates make case for federal humanities support on Capitol Hill /government-community-relations/2026/03/25/vanderbilt-advocates-make-case-for-federal-humanities-support-on-capitol-hill/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:27:56 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3487
Vanderbilt's Paul Stob and Ayla Faullin on the steps of the US Capitol building for Humanities Advocacy Day (ý)
Vanderbilt's Paul Stob and Ayla Faullin on the steps of the US Capitol building for Humanities Advocacy Day (ý)

The humanities shape how we understand history, culture and the complex challenges facing society. At Vanderbilt, they are reflected in the classroom, in research and in efforts to preserve the stories and materials that connect communities to the past.

In March, Vanderbilt advocates , director of the A&S College Core and professor of communication studies, and Ayla Faullin, a Vanderbilt junior studying English, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National Humanities Alliance’s . There, they met with congressional offices to advocate for continued federal support for the National Endowment for the Humanities. The visit was organized by Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations, which also sponsored the national advocacy event.

Vanderbilt's Paul Stob, Julie Harding, Ayla Faullin, and Gwen Zwirko with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84 during Humanities Advocacy Day
Vanderbilt's Paul Stob, Julie Harding, Ayla Faullin, and Gwen Zwirko with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84 during Humanities Advocacy Day. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Rosa Pineda)

Stob and Faullin joined advocates from across the country in urging lawmakers to sustain funding for the NEH, which supports education, preservation, research and public programming nationwide. During the visit, they met with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84, Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., and Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., BA'71.

Together, they showed how federal support for the humanities strengthens Vanderbilt education and scholarship, with Stob speaking to the role of humanities study across the university and Faullin offering a student perspective rooted in museum and archival work.

Connecting humanities education to Vanderbilt’s mission

Professor Paul Stob in his classroom. (ý)
Professor Paul Stob in his classroom.
Photo: Harrison McClary/ý

For Stob, the conversations were also a chance to connect humanities education and scholarship with Vanderbilt’s academic mission. He discussed how, with the support of the NEH, the humanities are being championed across the university, including through the , the Program in Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership and broader humanities scholarship on campus.

The A&S College Core was supported through the Teagle Foundation’s Cornerstone: Learning for Living initiative, a program . For Stob, that support reflects the value of a humanities education that prepares students to engage big questions, think across disciplines and build the critical thinking and communication skills central to their lives and work.

“Advocating for the NEH gave us a chance to explain the importance of studying history, culture, citizenship and the ideas that link us as human beings,” Stob said. “In my mind, the humanities are now more important than ever, given the divisions that define public life and the rise of generative artificial intelligence. The humanities allow us to do what AI can’t do: engage with other people face to face and explore our common problems and possibilities.”

The humanities in practice

Faullin brought a student perspective, showing how humanities learning is applied in the real world. She drew on her work at the Boot Hill Museum and in , both of which have received NEH funding, to show how federal support helps preserve history and make it accessible to the public.

Faullin highlighted Boot Hill's buffalo stampede exhibit, which helps visitors experience the force and significance of the buffalo on the Kansas plains, as one example of the kind of public-facing interpretation that brings history to life for visitors.

She also described efforts in Special Collections and University Archives to preserve and interpret local community history, including materials that document the lives and experiences of Middle Tennesseans whose stories have often been underrepresented in historical records.

Those experiences, she said, along with her humanities education, have shaped her and reinforced the importance of ensuring those stories are not lost.

Advocating for federal support

The visit was organized and led by Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations, which coordinates the university’s engagement with federal policymakers and aligns advocacy efforts with institutional priorities.

By supporting initiatives like the National Humanities Alliance’s Advocacy Day, Vanderbilt champions the importance of federal investment in the NEH. Through ongoing outreach to lawmakers, the university advocates for the humanities’ vital contributions to education and research.

Learn more about the university’s research advocacy priorities on the Office of Federal Relations website.

]]> Vanderbilt to convene national leaders for quantum forum in Nashville this April /government-community-relations/2026/03/03/vanderbilt-to-convene-national-leaders-for-quantum-forum-in-nashville-this-april/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:47:46 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3382

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, ý will host the Vanderbilt Quantum Forum: Technology, Policy and the Economy at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, bringing together leaders from academia, industry, government and national laboratories to explore one of the most consequential technologies of our time.

Set in Tennessee, the forum is designed to answer a foundational question: What is quantum, and what role will it play in the years ahead? Rather than focusing on technical depth, the program is structured to provide a clear, approachable understanding of quantum technology and where its impact is beginning to emerge—across energy, security, healthcare and economic competitiveness.

A broad, accessible conversation

The ý Quantum Forum is intentionally built for a broad audience. No technical background is required. Instead, attendees can expect plain-language discussions that clarify what quantum is, why it matters, and how its influence is starting to shape critical sectors of the economy.

The program will feature:

  • Plain-language discussion of quantum technology and its real-world impact
  • Perspectives from leaders across academia, industry and government
  • Insight into how quantum may affect energy, security, healthcare and economic competitiveness

By focusing on accessibility and cross-sector dialogue, the forum aims to demystify quantum and position it within the context of national competitiveness and public policy.

Tennessee’s role in the quantum ecosystem

Hosted by ý, the event reflects the university’s growing engagement in quantum research and workforce development. The forum will also explore how Tennessee can contribute to the nation’s quantum ecosystem through research collaboration, talent development and cross-sector partnerships.

As states across the country evaluate how to participate in the next wave of scientific and economic advancement, the conversation in Nashville underscores a broader shift: quantum is moving from theoretical research into practical consideration for policy, industry and regional growth strategies.

The forum is co-hosted by and presented by , reinforcing the event’s commitment to connecting research, capital, media and public dialogue.

Text reading “Vanderbilt Quantum Forum” with subtitle “Technology, Policy and the Economy” over abstract gold contour lines on a dark background.

Event details

Vanderbilt Quantum Forum: Technology, Policy and the Economy

  • Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
  • Location: Grand Hyatt Nashville
  • Format: In-person full day event

Space is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Learn more and register.

As quantum continues to move from laboratory environments into strategic discussions about infrastructure, security and economic leadership, gatherings like the ý Quantum Forum provide a timely opportunity to align understanding across sectors—ensuring that the conversation is as inclusive as it is forward-looking.

]]> Community recovery guide: Winter storm support, shelters and volunteer needs /government-community-relations/2026/01/30/community-recovery-guide-winter-storm-support-shelters-and-volunteer-needs/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:40:01 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3205

Winter Storm Fern has caused widespread power outages and hazardous conditions across Metro Nashville and surrounding communities. Local agencies and nonprofit partners continue to focus on restoring power, providing safe warming locations and transportation, delivering meals and essential supplies, and coordinating recovery planning.

The—a network of approximately 50 nonprofits—has been officially activated and is coordinating with Metro Nashville, theand thetoidentifyneeds and direct supportwhere’smost effective.

Get Help

If you need immediate help:

  • Dial 2-1-1 ():
    • You can alsotext your ZIP code to 898-211
    • Note: call volume is elevated; callers may need to stay on the line.
  • Visit theDavidson County needs tracker:

Submit needs, damage informationand resource requests.

Forwelfare checks:

  • Call311or visit(Davidson County welfare checks)
  • Call1-800-TBI-FIND(State of Tennessee welfare check line)

Transportation to warming locations (Davidson County):

  • Call 615-401-1712to request transport to a warm, safe location (interpreters available).

Be ready to share:

  • Name, current location, number of people needing transportation
  • Mobility/special needs
  • Pet information (pets allowed for transport)

Warming locations and shelters (Davidson County)

24/7 warming locations:

  • (39 locations)
  • (North, West, Hermitage, Madison, South, Midtown Hills, Southeast)

Note:Central and East precincts are not available aswarmingshelters.

24/7 overnight, pet-friendly shelters (with food):

  • Southeast Regional Community Center— 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy, Suite 202, Antioch, TN 37013
  • Madison Community Center— 550 N Dupont Ave, Madison, TN 37115
  • Nashville Fairgrounds— 401 Wingrove St, Nashville, TN 37203

Pets are allowed; please bring a crate if possible.

ý is welcoming community members who need a warm place to rest and recharge at theDavid Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center:

  • Warm up indoors; charge devices; warm drinks and snacks
  • Showers (bring flip flops and your own towel)
  • Family-friendly activities (story time, mindfulness, puzzlesandmore)

Location:2700 Children’s Way, Nashville, TN 37212

Operating hours:

  • Thu, Jan. 29: 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
  • Fri, Jan. 30: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Sat, Jan. 31: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Sun, Feb. 1: Noon–11 p.m.

Give help

Donate

Monetary donations are the fastest, most flexible way to support changing needsand can be deployed quickly as needs evolve.

Donations will supportcurrent and emerging needs—includingfood and supplies now, and, as assessments continue,cleanup and debris removal. Funds will be used until needs aremetor funds are exhausted; if fundsremainafter needs are met, they will shift to a disaster response fund for future needs.

Volunteer

collaborates with the and partners to coordinate safe, effective opportunities as they’re identified.

Current/announced opportunities

Snow on Campus
]]> Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory welcomes new team members, prepares for renovation https://dyer.vanderbilt.edu/2026/01/20/vanderbilt-dyer-observatory-welcomes-new-team-members-prepares-for-renovation/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:52:05 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3177 ýin response to the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed rule,, which was published on May 29, 2026.The proposed rule would revise the regulation commonly referred to as Uniform Guidance. Uniform Guidanceestablishesgovernment-wide requirements for how federal grants, cooperative agreements and other forms of federal financialassistanceare managed and audited.According toOMB, the proposed revisions are intended to improve transparency,accountabilityand oversight of federal awards, clarify the regulatory status of the UniformGuidanceand reduce administrative burden for recipients whereappropriate. The proposal also includes changes related to award administration, recipientresponsibilitiesand agency oversight of federal financialassistance.Because the Uniform Guidance applies acrossnearly allfederal grant-making agencies, any final changes could affect the administration and management of federally sponsored research and other federally funded programs at colleges and universities.On behalf of Vanderbilt, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier submitted institutional comments during the public comment period, drawing on expertise from across the university. As one of the nation’s leading research universities, Vanderbilt currently manages more than $1.1 billion in active federal research awards across 45 federal agencies and works closely with the federal government to advance research, education and innovation. ý is committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer funding and appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback.Theuniversity’scomments focusedon the overarching concern that several key provisions are in direct tension with the goals of,“Restoring Gold Standard Science.” Specifically, Vanderbilt provided feedback on provisions that would:

  • Undermine translational and applied research through rigid award categorization.
  • Add a layer of review that is not sufficiently defined.
  • Restrict access to the international research infrastructure essential to scientific leadership.
  • Destabilize active research programs by introducing uncertainty around potential grounds for suspension or termination.

Several higher educationand research associationsof which ý is a member alsosubmittedcomments on the proposed rule. Their comment letters and related resources provideadditionalperspectives on the potential implications for researchuniversities:

What Happens Next?
The public comment period closed on July 13, 2026. The Office of Management and Budget will review commentssubmittedby stakeholders beforedecidingwhether to issue a final rule. If the agency issues a final rule, it will publish the final regulatory text in theFederal Registeralong with an effective date and responses to significant public comments. Federal grant-making agencies will then make any necessary conforming changes to their own implementing regulations.Vanderbilt’sOffice of Federal Relationswill monitor the rulemaking process and continue working with campus partners asitmoves forward.

]]> Vanderbilt Peabody directors champion education research on Capitol Hill /government-community-relations/2025/12/09/vanderbilt-peabody-directors-champion-education-research-on-capitol-hill/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 21:59:46 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3118

Education research often feels abstract until you see its impactinthe decisions school leaders make, the resources teachers relyonand the opportunities students gain.Researchers fromof education and human developmentbrought those real-world stakes to Capitol Hill, showing how federal investment shapes classroom outcomes across Tennessee.

Vanderbilt’s Naomi Tyler, Jason Grissom and Erin Henrick on Capitol Hill in November
Vanderbilt’s Naomi Tyler, Jason Grissom and Erin Henrick on Capitol Hill in November (ý)

,co-director of,,facultydirector ofand,director of the,traveled to Washington, D.C.in Novemberto advocate for education research funding on Capitol Hill.

Organizedand ledby Vanderbilt’sOffice of Federal Relations, theyspoke of the vital researchbeing done at each of their centers and how funding from theDepartment of Education’sInstitute of Education SciencesandOffice of Special Education Programs,as well astheNational Institutes of HealthandNational Science Foundation,is crucial to their success.

Thedirectors met withpolicymakersto urge continued,sustainedand steady funding for these agencies.Throughout the day, they outlined howtheir workinforms decisions in schools and districts across the state.

In meetings with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84, Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., BA’71, and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., the directors emphasized that sustained, reliable support for programs such as IES, OSEP, NIH and NSF is critical to ensuring Tennessee educators and policymakers have the research-driven evidence they need to strengthen student outcomes.

Impact across Tennessee
In the meetings,Henrickshared Nashville PEER’s workcollaborating with educators, families,studentsand the community to informeducationdecisions that expand opportunity and foster innovation in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

“Nashville PEER generates research and actionable insights to guide education policy and practice that expand opportunities for Nashville students,” Henrick explained. “Federal funding from IES, OSEP, NIH and NSF can support our ability to investigate longstanding educational challenges and make a difference in our local community.”

Grissomadvocated for the high-quality, practical research that informs state-level policyand contributes to national conversations on K-12 education being done at TERA, while stressing thatcurrentfundingcuts are limiting opportunities for groundbreaking research.

"The Tennessee Education Research Alliance has had important impacts on state and local education decisions for more than 9 years because of our close collaboration with policymakers and practitioners across Tennessee,”saidGrissom.“Constraints on funding or processing of fundinghindersthe research we produce on teacher labor markets, school leadership and other issues that are important to our state."

The IRIS Center, led by Naomi Tyler, dedicates its work to improving education outcomes for all children,especiallythose with disabilitiesfrom birth through age twenty-one, through free online modules and professional development resources made available to all education practitioners.

Tyler advocated for the positive impact federal funding has on the IRIS Center.

“In 2024, IRIS resources were accessed by approximately 46,000 people across Tennessee and accessed by nearly 2 million others in 226 countries and territories worldwide,” Tyler explained. “IRIS is solely supported by federal funding. If these kinds of national awards are returned to the States and divided evenly, Tennessee’s share wouldn’t be able to support the most basic website costs, much less develop even a single resource like those that IRIS currently provides for free.”

Vanderbilt's continued advocacy
By engaging congressional staff on Capitol Hill and bringing campus partners into the conversation, Vanderbilt champions the importance of federal funding in education research. Through the Office of Federal Relations’ ongoing engagement with lawmakers, the university advocates for Peabody’s long history of responding to the needs of Tennessee and other states, working with Tennessee to improve education and translating research into practice for the benefit of teachers, school leaders and others.

Learn more about Vanderbilt’s research advocacy priorities on theOffice of Federal Relations website.

]]> Vanderbilt scientists advocate for NIH funding in Congress https://news.vumc.org/2025/09/25/vanderbilt-scientists-advocate-for-nih-funding-in-congress/#new_tab Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:39:37 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3081 ýin response to the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed rule,, which was published on May 29, 2026.The proposed rule would revise the regulation commonly referred to as Uniform Guidance. Uniform Guidanceestablishesgovernment-wide requirements for how federal grants, cooperative agreements and other forms of federal financialassistanceare managed and audited.According toOMB, the proposed revisions are intended to improve transparency,accountabilityand oversight of federal awards, clarify the regulatory status of the UniformGuidanceand reduce administrative burden for recipients whereappropriate. The proposal also includes changes related to award administration, recipientresponsibilitiesand agency oversight of federal financialassistance.Because the Uniform Guidance applies acrossnearly allfederal grant-making agencies, any final changes could affect the administration and management of federally sponsored research and other federally funded programs at colleges and universities.On behalf of Vanderbilt, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier submitted institutional comments during the public comment period, drawing on expertise from across the university. As one of the nation’s leading research universities, Vanderbilt currently manages more than $1.1 billion in active federal research awards across 45 federal agencies and works closely with the federal government to advance research, education and innovation. ý is committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer funding and appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback.Theuniversity’scomments focusedon the overarching concern that several key provisions are in direct tension with the goals of,“Restoring Gold Standard Science.” Specifically, Vanderbilt provided feedback on provisions that would:

  • Undermine translational and applied research through rigid award categorization.
  • Add a layer of review that is not sufficiently defined.
  • Restrict access to the international research infrastructure essential to scientific leadership.
  • Destabilize active research programs by introducing uncertainty around potential grounds for suspension or termination.

Several higher educationand research associationsof which ý is a member alsosubmittedcomments on the proposed rule. Their comment letters and related resources provideadditionalperspectives on the potential implications for researchuniversities:

What Happens Next?
The public comment period closed on July 13, 2026. The Office of Management and Budget will review commentssubmittedby stakeholders beforedecidingwhether to issue a final rule. If the agency issues a final rule, it will publish the final regulatory text in theFederal Registeralong with an effective date and responses to significant public comments. Federal grant-making agencies will then make any necessary conforming changes to their own implementing regulations.Vanderbilt’sOffice of Federal Relationswill monitor the rulemaking process and continue working with campus partners asitmoves forward.

]]> Vanderbilt expands residential colleges, supports students and neighbors during housing transition /government-community-relations/2025/09/23/vanderbilt-expands-residential-colleges-supports-students-and-neighbors-during-housing-transition/ Tue, 23 Sep 2025 21:49:15 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3065

Striving to be a good neighbor while enhancing student life is a priority for Vanderbilt. With the expansion of residential colleges underway, the university is committed to supporting students and neighbors as some transition to off-campus living.

Vanderbilt students on campus

The initiative involves construction of new residential colleges in the reimagined Central Neighborhood, projected to welcome more than 1,300 students over the course of 2028 and 2029. While this development promises to enhance the undergraduate experience by fostering a sense of belonging and intellectual growth, it also necessitates the demolition of existing residence halls, which has led to an increase in off-campus housing for some students.

As construction begins in the Central Neighborhood, which includes upgrades to utilities and the closing of Branscomb Quadrangle and McTyeire Hall, the university is focused on maintaining a positive relationship with the surrounding community.

Vanderbilt students walking to class on campus

Setting expectations for off-campus living
To assist students in adapting to off-campus living during this transition, Vanderbilt provides resources such as the Off-Campus Living Guide. This guide includes behavior expectations that extend beyond campus boundaries and practical tips for being a —such as observing local noise ordinances, ensuring accessible parking, and hosting gatherings responsibly. By sharing the standards directly with students, the university underscores that accountability continues off campus and encourages respectful relationships between students and neighbors. View the Off-Campus Living Guide.

Addressing concerns and reporting issues
Vanderbilt encourages open communication about any disturbances involving students living off-campus. If concerns arise, neighbors are advised to address them directly with the individuals involved. Should issues persist, ý Public Safety is available at 615-421-1911 for immediate assistance. Neighbors are also encouraged to document any violations they encounter and submit reports detailing disturbances via vu.edu/reporting, ensuring that all relevant information is captured for future reference.

Neighbors can stay up to date regarding ongoing construction projects on campus by visiting the current construction map.

ý

]]> Vanderbilt kicks off fall community programs with TPAC, Frist and Nashville Public Library /government-community-relations/2025/09/05/vanderbilt-kicks-off-fall-community-programs-with-tpac-frist-and-nashville-public-library/ Fri, 05 Sep 2025 18:44:38 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=3026

This September, ý partners with Nashville’s leading arts and cultural institutions to launch a new season of community programs—offering conversations, performances and panels that highlight history, creativity and connection.

InsideOut at TPAC
The season begins Sept. 16 with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s . This event offers a lunchtime preview of the Nashville Repertory Theatre’s season-opening production, , featuring a conversation with the show’s director, Leah Lowe. Lowe is a professor of theatre, directing and dramaturgy and director of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy at Vanderbilt.

Based on a true story, the musical is set in the small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, where on Sept. 11, 2001, 38 planes were rerouted, leaving nearly 7,000 passengers from all over the world stranded. The show exemplifies selflessness and compassion after the 9/11 attacks. A complimentary boxed lunch is provided with the InsideOut event registration.

Leah Lowe presents at an InsideOut event in January of 2024. (Joe Howell/ý)
Leah Lowe presents at an InsideOut event in January of 2024.
(Joe Howell/ý)
Promotional graphic for Nashville Rep’s InsideOut Lunchtime Preview of Come From Away, presented by ý.

Then and Now with Nashville Public Library
On Sept. 17, the series returns with a program spotlighting the Black community in East Nashville and the story of . Hosted at Meigs Middle School, the evening will feature reflections from Meigs High School alumni and be moderated by Dr. André L. Churchwell, Vanderbilt’s senior advisor on inclusion and community outreach.

Now in its third year, Then and Now explores the history and impact of these communities through the scholarly work of noted historians and the personal stories of community members through a partnership with the Nashville Public Library’s Special Collections.

Vanderbilt's Dr. Andre Churchwell with Rebecca Price from the Nashville Public Library Special Collections (John Amis/Vanderbilt)
Vanderbilt's Dr. Andre Churchwell with Rebecca Price from the Nashville Public Library Special Collections (John Amis/Vanderbilt)
Meigs School (Metro Nashville Archives)
Meigs School (Metro Nashville Archives)

Food for Thought at the Frist
The season continues Sept. 18 at the Frist Art Museum with the return of , a series of interdisciplinary conversations over lunch inspired by Frist exhibitions. The September session titled “Threads of Meaning” is inspired by the exhibition . The conversation will explore the value of crafted stories and the importance of preserving them.

Panelists include Sarah Calise, special collections librarian and public historian at Vanderbilt; Alexandra Sargent Capps, director of the Fiber Arts Build Lab at the Wond’ry and faculty member in fine arts; Sandra Lee Chandler, local textile artist and educator; and Katie Delmez, senior curator at the Frist. Museum admission, parking and lunch are free with registration.

Artwork from Fabric of a Nation exhibit. Image: Bisa Butler. To God and Truth, 2019. Print and resist-dyed cottons, cotton velvet, rayon satin, and knotted string, pieced, appliquéd, and quilted; 117 1/2 x 140 5/8 in. John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund, The Heritage Fund for a Diverse Collection, and Arthur Mason Knapp Fund. Photo copyright Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Artwork from Fabric of a Nation exhibit. Image: Bisa Butler. To God and Truth, 2019. Print and resist-dyed cottons, cotton velvet, rayon satin, and knotted string, pieced, appliquéd, and quilted; 117 1/2 x 140 5/8 in. John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund, The Heritage Fund for a Diverse Collection, and Arthur Mason Knapp Fund. Photo copyright Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Food for Thought event on March 20, 2025 at Frist Art Museum (Joe Howell/ý)
Food for Thought event on March 20, 2025 at Frist Art Museum
(Joe Howell/ý)

Presented in collaboration with the Frist Art Museum, TPAC and the Nashville Public Library’s Special Collections, these public programs showcase ý’s commitment to building community through shared history, art and dialogue.

Additional events in these series will be announced soon on the .

ý

]]> Vanderbilt faculty share their “why” in campaign spotlighting NIH-funded research /government-community-relations/2025/09/02/vanderbilt-faculty-share-their-why-in-campaign-spotlighting-nih-funded-research/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 20:58:31 +0000 /government-community-relations/?p=2994

Vanderbilt faculty joined by answering a simple but powerful question: Why is medical research important to you? Their stories revealed the people, experiences and motivations behind their work, all while underscoring the role funding from the National Institutes of Health plays in every breakthrough.

The MyWHY campaign highlights the human side of biomedical science, showing that behind every discovery is a person with a reason why they care. Seven Vanderbilt researchers contributed their own perspectives, linking their personal journeys to the broader impact of NIH-supported research. Their accounts demonstrated how federal investment fuels innovation, supports the next generation of scientists and improves health across communities.

Read their stories:


Professor of Chemistry

“Because when I was an NIH-supported scholar, I learned that the treatment my mom was undergoing for breast cancer was developed by NIH-supported researchers. Today, she is a 12-year cancer survivor.”


Professor of Biological Sciences

“Because I have had a front row seat to the remarkable progress in science and medicine made possible by the extraordinary investment of U.S. taxpayers.”


Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology

“Because I believe my research has the power to change lives.”


Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology

“Because biomedical research is one of the greatest natural resources we have in this country."


Associate Professor of Pharmacology

“Because drug addiction is one of the biggest economic problems in our country. It kills more people than any other disease every year, and there is no cure for it.”


Professor of Biochemistry

“Because, as a researcher and teacher, science doesn’t just play a role in my life, it is my life. I live, eat, and breathe being a scientist.”

Kirsty Clark | Assistant Professor of Medicine, Health and Society
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Health and Society

“Because I have dedicated my career to two urgent questions: Why do young people die by suicide? And how can we prevent it?”

is a coalition of leading research institutions, patient and health advocates and private industry seeking steady and sustainable increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health in order to save and improve lives, advance innovation and fuel the economy. Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations represents the university as an active member of UMR, adding its voice to national efforts to demonstrate the value of NIH-funded research. This campaign highlights the people and stories behind medical breakthroughs at a time when proposed budget cuts to the NIH put future progress at risk.

“Medical research is possible because of the significant investment American taxpayers make through the NIH, and Vanderbilt faculty are showing how that support translates into real-world impact,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations Christina West, who serves on UMR’s Board of Directors. “Their stories showcase why continued robust federal investment in biomedical research matters.”

Behind every breakthrough is a story and a reason why it matters. To explore the MyWHY report and more personal accounts from other researchers across the country, visit .

]]>