After an enthusiastic reception to its first round of public programming, Vanderbilt University-New York City hosted a second series of events this fall, further demonstrating its commitment to building community and fostering connection in the city.
The events, a continuation of the "Vanderbilt in the City: Conversations on America" series, brought faculty and thought leaders together for conversations that explored what it means to be an American today as the nation's role in the world is shifting.
The fall programming, which examined sacred elements of jazz and the influence of AI on the university landscape, was led by Major Jackson, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English, and Jonathan Metzl, who is Frederick B. Rentschler II Professor of Sociology and Psychiatry and director of the Department of Medicine, Health and Society.
"What's been remarkable about Vanderbilt in New York is how naturally these events have woven themselves into the city's ongoing civic debates. Each conversation-whether about jazz's spiritual lineage or the reinvention of the American university in the age of AI-spotlights Vanderbilt's strengths while creating a shared public forum with our neighbors in Chelsea and beyond," Metzl said. "The growing momentum of Vanderbilt in New York shows what happens when university scholarship enters the bloodstream of a city. These events connect Vanderbilt's world-class research with New York's vibrant public conversations, and we're excited to continue expanding this partnership in the semesters and years ahead."
TWO NIGHTS OF COMMUNITY AND DIALOGUE
"Divine Rhythms: Jazz and the Sacred" was an evening of conversation and music as artists, theologians and musicians explored the influence of spirituality on the development of jazz and the meaning of sacred elements within the jazz tradition. The Sept. 25 panel discussion was moderated by Yolanda Pierce, dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, and included a thoughtful discussion among panelists Robbie Fry, principal senior lecturer in musicology and ethnomusicology at the Blair School of Music; Eric Thomas, assistant professor of bible at the General Theological Seminary; and Buck McDaniel, artist in residence at the General Theological Seminary. The evening also featured a live jazz ensemble performance from Blair School of Music students.
The series concluded on Nov. 13 with "AI and the Future of the American University." Hosted in collaboration with the New York Academy of Sciences, panelists delved into the role artificial intelligence plays in the future of American higher education. In a conversation moderated by Rufus Griscom, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Next Big Idea Club, panelists including Nicholas Dirks, president and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, Julie Samuels (JD'05), president and CEO of Tech:NYC; Nabiha Syed, executive director of Mozilla Foundation; and Matthew Johnson-Roberson, inaugural dean of the College of Connected Computing at Vanderbilt, engaged in spirited and thought-provoking dialogue.
ABOUT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY-NEW YORK CITY
Vanderbilt University-New York City was established to expand Vanderbilt's educational, research and community engagement in one of the world's most vibrant cities. The campus in Chelsea will welcome its first cohort of students in fall 2026 and will offer undergraduate semester programs for students in the College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, Peabody College and Blair School of Music, and a one-year Master of Science in Business and Technology program that links students to New York's diverse industries. In addition to academic programming, the campus hosts a range of alumni and community events, workshops and university initiatives.
Vanderbilt University-New York City, in concert with growth initiatives in West Palm Beach and Nashville, represents a transformative moment for Vanderbilt as it moves boldly forward as a multi-campus university.
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