Reunion
Where did all that time go since you graduated? Do you wonder what your classmates are doing these days? Wishing you could reconnect to network, build professional relationships, reminisce about old times? Well, you’re in luck! Vanderbilt University celebrates Reunion during Homecoming every fall. The School of Nursing uses this opportunity to bring alumni together for a weekend of activities.
New for 2024 - Specialty-Based Reunion!
We are enriching how we celebrate Reunion at VUSN by piloting programs that center around nursing specialties. As with all School of Nursing Reunion activities, all of our alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend this new segment that will, over the next four years, pair two specialty groups together for a day of continuing education, networking and fun.
This year, we’re focusing on mental health and primary care** to present:
Collaborative Academic Practice Symposium: Achieving Health Equity – Integrating Mental Health and Primary Care*
(And don’t worry if those aren’t your areas of interest. We’ll soon announce a different specialty pair for 2025. Stay tuned!)
Schedule of Events
Thursday November 7
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m |
School of Nursing Quinq Luncheon with Dean Pam Jeffries During this beloved annual School of Nursing tradition, join Dean Jeffries as we honor BSN and MSN Classes of 1974 and hear news from the School. All Quinqs are invited to attend this special event. Godchaux Hall Living Room Hosted by School of Nursing |
| 5:00-7:00 p.m. |
Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
| 5:30-7:30 p.m. |
Julia Hereford Society Reception (by invitation only) Members of VUSN’s donor society will gather to celebrate the success of the Dare to Grow campaign. Don’t be left out! Information about the Julia Hereford Society is available on our website. It’s not too late to join! Graduate Hotel Hosted by School of Nursing |
| 6:00-9:00 p.m. |
Downtown Kick Off Party (SkyDeck @ Assembly Food Hall) Availalbe for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
Friday, November 8
| Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. |
Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 9:00 a.m |
Morning University Campus Tours Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 9:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. |
Collaborative Academic Practice Symposium: “Achieving Health Equity – Integrating Mental Health and Primary Care” NEW continuing education credits for 2024! All School of Nursing alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend this new segment that will, over the next four years, pair two specialty groups together for a day of continuing education, networking and fun. This year, we’re focusing on mental health and family/primary care* CEUs and fellowship. More information and registration will be available in August. School of Nursing Building Colleen Conway-Welch Atrium Hosted by School of Nursing |
|
| 10:00 a.m. |
Commodore Classroom #1: A Day in the Lab: Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 10:00 a.m. |
Commodore Classroom #2: Generative AI Will Transform Computing and All Industries Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 11:00 a.m. |
Conversation with University Leadership Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 12:00-2:00 p.m. |
Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 2:00 p.m. |
Afternoon University Campus Tours Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 2:00 p.m. |
Commodore Classroom #3: Election 2024 with panelists John Greer, Nicole Hemmer, Josh Clinton Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 2:00-4:00 p.m. |
Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 3:15-4:00 p.m. |
School of Nursing Welcome Reception Connect with friends over light hors d’oeuvres and drinks as the day’s activities segue into an evening of excitement at VUSN. School of Nursing Building Colleen Conway-Welch Atrium Hosted by School of Nursing |
|
| 4:00-5:00 p.m. |
School of Nursing Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony featuring Dean Jeffries' State of the School Address (includes virtual option for viewing) Join Dean Jeffries and the VUSN Alumni Board to celebrate and recognize seven alumni and one friend, for their notable contributions to the nursing field and health care. The Dean will share updates from the school in her annual address to alumni. Frist Hall 140 Hosted by School of Nursing |
|
| 5:00-7:00 p.m. |
School of Nursing Sim Lab Expo, MIND Lab Demo and alumni receptions (with breakouts for psych and family/primary care alumni and friends) It’s Reunion! Have you been to VUSN to see our new building and Simulation and MIND Labs? Have you met Dean Jeffries? Recently caught up with friends and classmates? Join us for live music, heavy appetizers, drinks and fun, while exploring new state-of-the art classroom technology and celebrating our award recipients. You won’t want to miss this! School of Nursing Building Colleen Conway-Welch Atrium |
|
| 6:00 p.m. |
Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 6:30 p.m |
Quinq Dinner Highlighting the 55th and 60th Reunions Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 6:30 p.m |
Class Party for the 50th Reunion Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 7:00 p.m. |
Class Parties for the 5th to 45th Reunions Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
Saturday, November 9
| Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m |
Commodore Classroom #4: Aging and the Brain: A Natural Part of Life Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| TBD |
School of Nursing Homecoming Tailgate (2 hours prior to kick-off) Dean Jeffries, the Nursing Graduate Council and Alumni Board co-host this opportunity to drop by and visit with friends, faculty/staff and students on your way to watch Vandy take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. Lot 73 Hosted by School of Nursing |
|
| TBD |
Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina Gamecocks @ FirstBank Stadium. Game time released two weeks prior. Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
Sunday, November 10
| Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. |
50th Reunion Commodore Classroom Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 10:00 a.m. |
Quinq Brunch and 50th Reunion Induction Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
| 10:00 a.m. |
Available for all Vanderbilt University Alumni |
|
*Presented by the Collaborative Academic Practice (CAP) Program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing as part of the 2024 Vanderbilt University Reunion. This presentation is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $650,000 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov. A moderate processing fee will be collected from Symposium registrants not affiliated with the grant.
**While all School of Nursing alumni are encouraged to attend the Symposium, it will be of special interest to alumni with these specialties: Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Child & Adolescent Psychiatric-Mental Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist/Adult, Community & Family Health Nursing, Family Nurse Clinician, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontological Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Mental Health Nurse Clinician, Oncology Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Clinician, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Lifespan, and Psychology
Registration
- Registration link for Symposium – coming soon in mid-August
- Register for VUSN and VU Reunion – click here to register today
Check your email, social media and this page for updates about registration opening and other information. Be sure to contact Betsey Usher if you’d like to volunteer, make a class gift or get additional information: betsey.usher@vanderbilt.edu or (615) 322-4836.
Give Back
Reunion is a time to celebrate, reminisce and connect with fellow alumni. When you participate in Reunion giving, you’re adding to the legacy of generations of Vanderbilt School of Nursing alumni. Gifts of all sizes help ensure that today’s students are able to continue pushing the VUSN status to greater heights. Your gift will help VUSN reach our Reunion fundraising goal of 200 donors and $200,000.
You can designate your Reunion gift to any area of VUSN. For Reunion 2024, a gift or multi-year pledge made to any area of VUSN during the Reunion timeframe of 7/1/2023 – 12/31/2024 will count towards our VUSN Reunion Goals. For our Quinqs and Classes of 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, planned gifts also count.
For other ways to give back to VUSN including planned gifts, stocks and securities, and electronic bank drafts visit the Ways to Give page.
Current Giving
Current Donor Count - 139 donors
Donor Goal - 200 donors
Dollars Raised - $137,233
Thank you for your generous support of VUSN! We also recognize donors of $2,500 (or $1,000 for Vanderbilt graduates of the last decade) or more with membership in the Julia Hereford Society. You will also be invited to our annual JHS celebration event during Reunion Weekend! Learn more about JHS here!
Volunteer
Volunteers are integral to the success of Reunion. You know best how to rally your classmates to return to campus and how to ask them to join you in supporting VUSN. Volunteers are the front line in communications with Nursing alumni, and your personal connection makes a big difference. With your help, alumni will Come Back and Give Back. Thank you to all our VUSN Reunion volunteers for their leadership! If you are interested in joining your class’s Reunion volunteer committee, please email Andrea Zink, Associate Director of Annual Giving.
|
Overall Chair |
Dr. Benjamin A. Smallheer, MSN ’04, PhD ’11 |
|
Class of 1974 Reunion Volunteers |
Ms. Beth Colvin Huff, BSN ’74, MSN ’79 |
|
Class of 1979 Reunion Volunteers |
Dr. Cheryl Smith Anderson, BSN ’79, DNP ’18 |
|
Class of 1984 Reunion Volunteer |
Mrs. Shelley S. Keller, BSN ’84 |
| Class of 1989 Reunion Volunteer | Mrs. Velinda Youngner Block, MSN ’89 |
| Class of 1994 Reunion Volunteer | Please email Anja Fairholm at anja.fairholm@vanderbilt.edu if you would like to serve as a Volunteer for your class! |
| Class of 1999 Reunion Volunteer | Dr. Marcia E. Barnes, MSN ’99, DNP ’10 |
| Class of 2004 Reunion Volunteer | Dr. Joan Marie Jeannette, BSN ’83, MSN ’04, DNP ’23 |
| Class of 2009 Reunion Volunteer | Dr. Jannyse LaNee Tapp, MSN ’09, DNP ’11 |
| Class of 2014 Reunion Volunteers |
Dr. Matthew Jay Martin, MSN ’12, DNP ’14 |
| Class of 2019 Reunion Volunteer |
Dr. Andrea Renee Goldstein, DNP ’19 |
| FNP Specialty Volunteers |
Jannyse Starks Tapp, MSN'09, DNP'11 |
Questions about Volunteering? Contact Us.
Photos of Reunion 2023 coming soon.
