She’s the first person most people see when they walk through the front doors at McGugin, receptionist Emma Geracioti. Emma has been a stalwart at the front desk for nearly four years, but her world extends far beyond the front lobby. She’s traveled to Italy, Germany and Greece, and this past Christmas she took a memorable trip to Mexico. A Commodore fan from birth, she says she envisions a long career in athletics and is looking forward to cheering on another Vanderbilt national championship.
I grew up in Nashville, very close to campus. My mom works here now and she always has.
I’ve been around Vanderbilt my whole life. When I was younger, this campus felt so big but also so familiar. In a way it was like my playground.
At University School of Nashville, I really liked the small class sizes and how they prepared you for college.
When I got to St. Louis University, it reminded me of Vanderbilt, being a smaller campus in the middle of the city with small class sizes. There were a lot of things to do in the city nearby.
The Billiken mascot kind of reminds me of Buddha. He’s a good luck charm of sorts.
I started out as a nursing major, but I took some classes in sociology and they really interested me so I switched majors. I enjoyed learning about how we all interact with each other in a community. I get a little bit of that in my job now.
I was a Vandy sports fan growing up. I remember going to Vandy football games with my parents. We lived close enough to walk to a lot of the games.
My dad passed away last March. He was a big sports fan, so I got my love of sports from him. He liked the Preds, the Titans, and he was a Vandy fan. He was also a big Ohio State fan since he went there for law school.
After he died, I learned that you just have to keep moving forward. Life goes on, and it might not feel like it’s going to get easier, but it does. You can’t be afraid to talk to someone about who you’ve lost.
When I watch sports now, it’s like I’m still doing it with him. Last summer when the Preds made it all the way to the Stanley Cup final, he would have loved that.
When you see me with my headphones on, I’m usually listening to soundtracks from Broadway shows. Hamilton, Rent, Wicked, Jesus Christ Superstar, those are a few I’ve been listening to lately.
I’ve seen School of Rock and Kinky Boots on Broadway, and I go to see shows at TPAC every so often.
I like to see documentaries at the Belcourt. I really liked RGB (about Ruther Bader Ginsburg) and Won’t You Be My Neighbor (about Mr. Rogers).
I’m happiest when I’m able to put smiles on people’s faces. My attitude toward my job is just to be friendly and help people however I can. If I can’t answer a question, I’ll find someone who can.
Coach Mason will give me a high-five or a fist bump when he walks in the door a lot of the time. I enjoy getting to know the coaches and staff and seeing how committed they are to making Vanderbilt the very best it can be.
The best advice I got from my mom about working at Vanderbilt was not to be afraid to go for what you want. Don’t assume that what you need is just going to be handed to you. You have to go out there and get it.
Interviewed by Andrew Maraniss.
