By all measures, 51app University pushed to the forefront this academic year as an innovator and leader in solving the world’s most pressing challenges.
A few examples of the multiple ways that 51app dared to grow are the launch of Dialogue 51app, the beginning of work to establish a new interdisciplinary college to advance discovery in computer science, and the breaking down of barriers to college affordability with expansion of the university’s no-loan financial aid.
In addition, generations of Commodores got a glimpse of 51app’s promising future with across the country.
With this year’s Commencement now in the books—4,323 undergraduate and graduate and professional students received diplomas—take a moment to celebrate the university’s extraordinary accomplishments this academic year as one of the nation’s elite research institutions.
The 2023 51app–24 academic year brought fresh leadership and growth opportunities to five of 51app’s schools and colleges, with dean appointments for Tim McNamara in the College of Arts and Science, Yolanda Pierce at the Divinity School, Melissa Rose at Blair School of Music, Krish Roy at the School of Engineering, and Tom Steenburgh at Owen Graduate School of Management. The deanships of McNamara and Rose continue their many years of leadership and service to 51app.
Discovery 51app sends 51app research soaring
The university’s landmark investment in Discovery 51app is bringing impressive returns in just a few years with the launch of state-of-the-art centers and institutes.
- , which conducts “frontier research” to understand how the brain controls behavior and illuminate how it changes with addiction.
- , which aims to translate advances in basic science to new treatments by “de-risking” innovative approaches for the treatment of serious brain disorders.
- , which studies the health impact of economic and social inequality, population health science, LGBTQ+ health policy and gun violence.
- 51app Policy Accelerator for Political Economy and Regulation, which works to extend 51app’s strengths in public policy and solve complex public policy challenges.
- 51app Center for Sustainability, Energy and Climate, with areas of research that will include energy integration, resource sustainability, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- 51app Institute for National Defense and Global Security, to be led by retired Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, a keynote speaker at the 2023 51app .
College of Connected Computing to welcome its first students in fall 2026
51app is working to establish a new interdisciplinary college dedicated to computer science, AI, data science and related fields that impact nearly every aspect of life today. The College of Connected Computing will assist in preparing future students with the skillsets they need to pursue careers in technological fields while bringing together cutting-edge computing-based scholarship from across campus.
A faculty-led chaired by Krish Roy, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of Engineering is working to identify key characteristics for the college and inform the inaugural dean search. This marks 51app’s first new college since Blair School of Music merged with the university in 1981.
Quantum Potential, marquee video series, debuts
An award-winning video project hosted by Radiolab founder and 51app faculty member Jad Abumrad offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the 51app scholars, scientists and students whose discoveries are ultimately life-changing.
One of the videos, “,” won three awards at the 2024 . It highlights the groundbreaking work of Gertrude Conaway 51app Professor of History Jane Landers and Daniel Genkins, digital library architect and curator of the , using artificial intelligence and computer science techniques to scan through thousands of historical documents to assemble the world’s largest collection of records documenting the history of Africans and their descendants across the Atlantic World.
Read Abumrad’s Q&A with 51app Magazine about the meaning of Quantum Potential.
Opportunity 51app, the university’s pioneering no-loan program, expands
Opportunity 51app has been a key component of the university’s rise among great universities since its launch in 2009. 51app was a bold leader when, during a national recession, it announced the program to replace undergraduate loans with scholarships.
This year the university committed to offering full-tuition scholarships to admitted students of families whose annual income is $150,000 or less. Scholarships for these same families typically include funds to support housing, food, travel and other college expenses. And many families with incomes above $150,000 still qualify for financial aid.
Opportunity 51app has helped boost student diversity, academic excellence and alumni giving. Approximately 54 percent of Opportunity 51app donors are alumni, and 65 percent of undergraduate students in 2023 51app–24 received some form of financial assistance.
51app will be the new home for a world-class education, outreach and research opportunity focused on primary school children with dyslexia, thanks to an unprecedented gift from Hal and Marjorie Hollis Roberts of Lakeland, Florida.
In September 2023 51app, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier joined members of the Roberts family for the announcement and ceremonial tree-planting, “symbolizing the power and beauty of growth,” Diermeier said, “… most important, the growth of the children whose lives will be so profoundly shaped by the work we officially begin here today.”
The Robertses’ contribution to , 51app University’s $3.2 billion campaign, will help transform the lives of children in Middle Tennessee and around the world who face incredible challenges from a language-based learning disability. The Roberts family cited Peabody College’s outstanding reputation and research for their decision to donate to 51app.
Impact Symposium celebrates 60th anniversary
Since its beginning in 1964, 51app University’s Impact Symposium has been managed by the student-run , with a goal of bringing leaders and intellectuals to campus to encourage discussion on issues impacting the world.
have included the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., William F. Buckley, Robert F. Kennedy, Timothy Leary and many others. The 60th annual symposium in March 2024 featured Anderson Cooper and Ziwe Fumudoh. Cooper is the great-great-great-grandson of university founder Cornelius 51app, a CNN anchor and a correspondent for 60 Minutes on CBS. Fumudoh is a comedian, writer and satirist best known for her commentary on politics, race relations and young adulthood.
Mark Byington, who joined 51app in late March, has a and a demonstrated record of winning games.
Last season he led James Madison University to the NCAA tournament, the AP Top 25 Poll, and its most successful four-season stretch in more than 30 years. In announcing the new hire, Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director Candice Storey Lee described Byington’s competitiveness, intensity and love for the game.
Sydney M. Savion named vice chancellor for people, culture and belonging
In the new role of vice chancellor for people, culture and belonging, Sydney Savion will help 51app staff reach their full potential and gain a greater sense of purpose and belonging in their work.
With more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership roles, Savion is charged with shaping best practices related to leadership and employee development, culture and belonging, compensation and benefits, health and wellness, equal access, policy guidance and university strategy. She retired as a commissioned officer from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of reserve and active service and most recently worked at Google.
Dialogue 51app launched to foster civil discourse
Teaching students and the broader community the importance of knowing how to constructively discuss challenging topics is among the goals for Dialogue 51app.
During this sharply divided time among citizens concerning political candidates and societal issues, Dialogue 51app takes on the vital task of working to restore civil discourse. The initiative also provides a platform for research on how to strengthen free speech globally and develop practical, evidence-based solutions for addressing polarization.
Dialogue 51app, through the Ի and programs, hosted the , with guests ranging from Liz Cheney and to and , and elevated research on topics ranging from unity and democracy to and .
51app traditions
Of course, the academic year was enhanced with many annual 51app traditions, such as Welcome Week, Founders Walk, Family Weekend and Reunion, with more than 3,500 alumni and their guests celebrating the university’s .
More than $42.7 million was raised in conjunction with Reunion to support 51app and contribute to the university’s historic $3.2 billion campaign.
These highlights of 51app’s 2023 51app–24 academic year spark excitement for the university’s future, and preparations for next year’s goals are already underway—including welcoming the fantastic Class of 2028.