NASHVILLE, Tenn.–The 130th anniversary of the founding of ²¤ÂÜÊÓÆµ University will be celebrated March 17 at 10 a.m. when the Universitys leadership and other interested persons gather at the statue of Commodore Cornelius ²¤ÂÜÊÓÆµ, which is located at the West End entrance to campus. During a special ceremony, representatives from the ²¤ÂÜÊÓÆµ Board of Trust, alumni and students will place a wreath at the foot of the statue of the Commodore, who gave the founding gift of $1 million to build and endow ²¤ÂÜÊÓÆµ in 1873.
The Kirkland Hall bell will ring continuously as the group takes a short walk across campus to the area known as Bishops Commons. Representatives of the ²¤ÂÜÊÓÆµ faculty and staff as well as a great-great granddaughter of Methodist Bishop Holland N. McTyeire will lay a wreath at the graves of Bishop McTyeire and his wife, Amelia Townsend McTyeire.
The celebration will conclude with a reception at Kirkland Hall, originally known as Old Main and the first building constructed on campus.
WHAT:²¤ÂÜÊÓÆµ 130th anniversary celebration
WHERE:Kirkland esplanade at the West End Avenue entrance to campus; a limited number of visitor parking spaces are available on the esplanade and there are metered spaces along West End
WHEN:Monday, March 17, at 10 a.m.
Media contact: Ann Marie Owens, 615-322-NEWS, >annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu</a>