Since announcing plans last fall to enhance its presence in New York's Chelsea neighborhood, Vanderbilt has made building community and connection there one of its foremost priorities.
"With Vanderbilt-New York City, we are creating a dynamic space for scholarship, dialogue and connection-bringing the university's bold intellectual spirit into conversation with one of the world's most vibrant cities," Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver said. "The enthusiastic response to our inaugural public programming affirms our commitment to building meaningful partnerships and fostering the kind of engaged inquiry that defines Vanderbilt at its best."
Its first foray into public programming invited New York City residents to engage with the university in a three-event series titled "Vanderbilt in the City: Conversations on America." The series, held between March and May, convened faculty and thought leaders for conversations that explored what it means to be an American today as our role in the world is shifting.
Each event drew several hundred attendees, filling the venue to capacity-a strong signal of the enthusiasm for Vanderbilt's debut programming.
The series was led by Jonathan Metzl, Frederick B. Rentschler II Professor of Sociology and Psychiatry and director of the Department of Medicine, Health and Society; and Major Jackson, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English; and featured several Vanderbilt faculty members as panelists. "Each VU-NYC event proved to me once again how much the public yearns for thoughtful exchange over quick headlines and inconsequential feeds," Jackson said. "The conversations between Vanderbilt faculty and noted speakers were at once engaging, entertaining and expansive. The room felt electrified as much by attendees-Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders-as by our panel of experts, many whose questions pushed us further into pathways of understanding and insight."
The first of these events, "America in the World," touched upon shifts in foreign policy and international alliances. It explored their impact on the future of multilateralism, global security and America's role in addressing challenges like climate change and emerging technologies. Panelists included Rana Foroohar, global business columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times and global economic analyst for CNN, and faculty from Vanderbilt University and Northeastern University.
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'America and the World' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
In "American Humor," Jackson and award-winning author and Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English Lorrie Moore took the stage for a fireside chat on the power of humor and storytelling to bridge divides. They read excerpts from their books I Am Homeless if This Is Not My Home and Razzle Dazzle: New & Selected Poems.
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'American Humor' fireside chat at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
The series concluded in May with "Health in America: Challenges and Opportunities." In a conversation moderated by Metzl, experts from NYU, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and the American Journal of Public Health discussed pressing public health issues around health equity, science-based policymaking and the rise of "healthism" and self-directed health.
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Vanderbilt alumni, faculty, Chelsea neighbors and industry leaders attend the 'Health In America' event at Vanderbilt-New York City. (Vanderbilt University)
Based on the success of this initial series, Vanderbilt is already planning a second round of public programming with events in September and November. More details and registration information for these events will be available in early fall on the Vanderbilt in New York City events page.
"We will be expanding the series to look at issues ranging from music to religion to artificial intelligence and education to civic participation and the arts. In each case, we aim to teach, to listen and to grow large-scale conversations among faculty, experts, leaders and community members in ways that help them think more deeply about pressing issues facing all of us," Metzl said. "Our larger aim is to become a space where people come to think and to learn, to give back to the remarkable New York community, and to be responsible neighbors and interlocutors in ways that help us think more deeply about pressing social issues and, as a community, devise solutions for them."
ABOUT VANDERBILT-NEW YORK CITY
As part of the university's ongoing strategy to bring the world to Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt to the world, Vanderbilt University-New York City will serve as a venue for immersive experiences for students and will strengthen Vanderbilt's engagement with alumni, employers and prospective students in the region. The site will also be a convening location for faculty as they collaborate with peers at other institutions and conduct research projects in the region.
Situated within Chelsea's vibrant cultural and technology-driven landscape, the property spans nearly a full city block and consists of 13 buildings and approximately 150,000 square feet. Vanderbilt is working closely with government, business and community leaders as regulatory review and approval processes for this enhanced presence move forward.
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