May 8, 2014
Commencement Information | 
Graduates Thank Their Moms
Vanderbilt University will hold its annual Commencement ceremony Friday, May 9 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Alumni Lawn. The class of seniors accomplished quite a bit during their time on campus, including winning five SEC team titles, participating in three bowl games, a College World Series and qualifying for numerous NCAA postseason championships. Additionally, the team set school records and corralled All-SEC and All-America accolades. Off the field, the group dedicated countless hours in the community and were also leaders in the classroom.
Before the seniors walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, learn more about members of the Class of 2014 by reading about their future plans and favorite memories. The graduation feature titled “Senior Memories” has become a tradition on VUCommodores.com, and provides readers an opportunity to learn more about the seniors they cheered for the last four years.
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Karl Butler Football Degree: Human and Organizational Development Plans for next year: Pursue football career; career in human services industry Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Finally beating Georgia (in 2013) and beating UT in Knoxville (also in 2013) Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Finishing my last credits Favorite professor and/or class: Benjamin Jordan, Engineering Management In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Great Favorite place on campus: Vanderbilt Stadium Favorite place in Nashville: My room What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: The relationships |
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Abby Carr Soccer Degree: Psychology; Minor in Art Plans for next year: Research Assistant at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: The first time I started a game for Vanderbilt Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Finishing my senior thesis Favorite professors: Drs. Craig Smith & Leslie Kirby In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Awesome Favorite place on campus: Relaxing on one of the lawns Favorite place in Nashville: Any of the local coffee houses What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Having so many of my best friends within walking distance |
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Austyn Carta-Samuels Football Degree: Psychology Plans for next year: To keep my dream of being a professional athlete in the NFL. But understanding that there is an expiration date on the life of a professional athlete and that the future is unpredictable, I plan to use my experience as a 2-time captain and teammate to step into the world of coaching with the intention of one day returning as the head coach of Vanderbilt University. Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Walking my Grandfather (former student-athlete at Vanderbilt) around the campus taking him to my classes and seeing the pride and joy he had on his face as he knew his grandson was flourishing in the same environment that he had back in college. Favorite professor: Professor Hamilton in Physics. Showed great pride in educating kids from this university with an infectious energy and teaching style. In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Proud Favorite place on campus: Offensive film room. Spent so much time there I might as well call it my favorite. Favorite place in Nashville: McDougal’s What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Representing the tight cohesive community that Vanderbilt has. I have attended three different colleges and the incredible job Vanderbilt does with acclimating you with your peers of all different backgrounds, and being a representative for something so special,is what I will remember forever. |
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Rob Cross Men’s Basketball Degree: Human and Organizational Development Plans for next year: Teach For America in Memphis Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Starting against LSU on Senior Night Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: None really jump to mind; I spent most of my time in the gym Favorite professor and/or class: Adam Ewing, African-American History In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Exciting Favorite place on campus: Memorial Gym Favorite place in Nashville: Chili’s What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: I think I’ll miss the people the most. I’ve met some pretty incredible people in my four years here. |
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Alyssa Dunlap Lacrosse Degree: Corporate Leadership Plans for next year: Undecided Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Beating Duke when they were a top-5 team Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Traveling abroad to Florence, Italy Favorite professor and/or class: Soc. 256 Race, Gender, Sport What does it feel like to be graduating: A huge accomplishment Favorite place on campus: Peabody main quad Favorite place in Nashville: Jeni’s Ice cream What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: The people |
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Charlie Ewing Men’s Golf Degree: Cultures and Corporations Plans for next year: Moving back to Dallas Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Winning the 2012 Mason Rudolph my junior year, the first team title since I had been at Vanderbilt Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Golf team talent show 2014 Favorite professor and/or class: Laurie Woods, sociology courses In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Unbelievable Favorite place on campus: McGugin has the nicest people on campus Favorite place in Nashville: Vanderbilt Legends Club, specifically the new golf house What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: My teammates. No doubt. |
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Kendra Hendrix Soccer Degree: Public Policy Plans for next year: Peace Corps, then graduate school Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Scoring a goal in the spring game my junior year from defense position Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: The Kendrick Lamar concert Favorite professor and/or class: Professor Dokecki, Ethics for Human Development Professionals In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Fulfilling Favorite place on campus: The Stambaugh balcony Favorite place in Nashville: Cafe Coco What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: The commitment from students to work extremely hard but also using the same tenacity to have fun and give back to their community. |
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Kimberly Koehler Women’s Golf Degree: Cognitive Studies major, Corporate Strategy minor Plans for next year: Marketing Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Playing in the Mason Rudolph, our home tournament fall 2013 Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Steve Moakler & Ben Rector concert Favorite class: Ethics & Law In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Bittersweet Favorite place on campus: The Pub Favorite place in Nashville: Centennial Park What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: All you can eat food |
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Chelsea Lanzoni Lacrosse Degree: Human and Organizational Development – International Leadership and Development track Plans for next year: Temporarily moving to Cape Town, South Africa Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Beating Stanford this year Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Any time spent with the team Favorite class: Intercultural Competencies In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Bittersweet Favorite place on campus: Stacks in Peabody Library Favorite place in Nashville: Barista Parlor What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: All of my friends that I’m leaving behind, and being able to call Nashville home. |
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Alexa Levick Soccer Degree: Human and Organizational Development Plans for next year: Management trainee with Cintas in first aid and safety in Louisville Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Having a family away from home and having “unofficial” team dinners Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Exploring Nashville with friends this past semester Favorite professor and/or class: Professor – Dr. Todd; Class and Professor – HOD Small Group Behavior with Professor Gilchrest In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Intimidating Favorite place on campus: Training room, specifically Sara Melby’s office (I spent way too much time there) What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Having friends in close proximity at all times. You never have to walk far to be with your friends. |
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Ryan Lipman Men’s Tennis Degree: Management and Entrepreneurship Plans for next year: Play professional tennis for as long as I can to delay the real world Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Beating UGA in the SEC tournament this year … the crowd, the atmosphere and the win were just incredible Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Turning in my last paper as an undergraduate Favorite professor and/or class: Arthur Johnsen – Advanced Marketing In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Yikes Favorite place on campus: Tennis center Favorite place in Nashville: My house What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: The people. Everyone that I have met here at Vandy has had a profound affect on my life and I will miss being around the great people here at Vandy. |
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Lauren Mira Women’s Tennis Degree: Human and Organizational Development Plans for next year: I have a few options to work here in Nashville starting in June Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Clinching our win over UT in the Round of 32 of NCAAs in 2011 Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Spending Thanksgiving break with both tennis teams in South Africa my freshman year In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Unreal Favorite place on campus: Locker Room Favorite place in Nashville: I really love East Nashville and all of its trendy little restaurants, particularly Marche What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: As much as it is exhausting to balance academics and tennis, I’m going to miss the student-athlete lifestyle. I’m going to miss eating in McGugin with my teammates, traveling on the weekends and competing in dual matches. I’m also going to miss being able to see and hang out with my friends so easily/accessibly since we are all in such close quarters on campus. |
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Rod Odom Men’s Basketball Degree: Economics Plans for next year: To play basketball professionally Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Beating UT at home this year Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Listening to Ricky Reeno talk about anything Favorite class: Fundamentals of Management with Joe Rando In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Gratifying Favorite place in Nashville: McDougal’s What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Lauren Rocco and Rob Cross |
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Lauren Rhein Bowling Degree: Economics and Medicine Health and Society Plans for next year: Graduate school to receive a Master in Healthcare Administration Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Being able to experience competing for a national championship two times Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Tailgating with the bowling team, coaches, etc. at all Vanderbilt football home games Favorite professor: Professor Rennhoff in Economics of Health and Healthcare Policy In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Bittersweet Favorite place on campus: The Rec Favorite place in Nashville: Pancake Pantry What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Being surrounded by teammates, coaches, friends, and many others in the athletic department who have constantly been there for me from the beginning. |
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Steven Rice Baseball Degree: Financial Management Plans for next year: Undecided Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: The 2013 baseball team Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Lewis 8 Favorite professor and/or class: Organizational Behavior/Ben Jordan In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Satisfying Favorite place on campus: Hawkins Field Favorite place in Nashville: The Pharmacy Burger Parlor What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: The baseball team |
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Melissa Roberts Swimming Degree: Medicine Health and Society, and Philosophy Plans for next year: Work at Opko Lab in Nashville Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Going to Puerto Rico for our winter training trip my junior year Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Spring break in Key West sophomore year Favorite professor and/or class: Philosophy of Law with professor Larry May Favorite place in Nashville: Percy Warner Park |
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Claire Romaine Soccer Degree: Psychology with a research concentration Plans for next year: Travel and medical school Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: 2010 SEC Tournament game against Florida Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Trick Tuesday Favorite class: Health Distribution to Diverse Populations In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Unclear Favorite place on campus: Kissam Favorite place in Nashville: Smoothie King What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Friends |
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Megan Schneir Soccer Degree: Economics with Minors in Corporate Strategy and Financial Economics Plans for next year: Investment Banking Rotational Analyst at KeyBank Capital Markets Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Joking with my teammates in the locker room Favorite professor and/or class: The History of Country Music – what better place to take it than in Music City? In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Scary Favorite place on campus: My bed Favorite place in Nashville: Centennial Park What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Getting to see my best friends every day, and not having to pay my own bills. |
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Carey Spear Football Degree: HOD (International Leadership Development); Minors in Chinese & Corporate Strategy Plans for next year: Pursue NFL career Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Hit on Cordarrelle Patterson and beating UT the last two years Favorite non-athletic memories at Vanderbilt: Haiti Mission Trip in 2012 Favorite professor: Gary Kimball In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Blessing Favorite place on campus: Dudley Field Favorite places in Nashville: Centennial Park What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: The people (friends and Vanderbilt workers) |
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Grace Stumb Soccer Degree: Special Education Plans for next year: Teaching special education at DuPont Tyler Middle School in Hermitage, Tenn. Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Playing soccer in Brazil Favorite non-athletic memories at Vanderbilt: Completing student-teaching Favorite professor: Dr. Wehby, SPED 1010 Intro into Exceptionality In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Unreal Favorite place on campus: Peabody Lawn Favorite places in Nashville: My home What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: My friends and teammates that I’ve bonded with over the past four years |
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Sarah Tustin Lacrosse Degree: Organization and Communications Plans for next year: Moving to Denver to be a human resource associate at Dish Network headquarters Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Beating Johns Hopkins this year, who was undefeated Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Italy with the team last summer Favorite professor: Ken Pence or John English In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Terrifying Favorite place on campus: Baseball Glove Lounge (good for naps and studying) Favorite place in Nashville: Barista Parlor What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Being with the team every day |
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Alyxandra Vernon Swimming Degree: English and Psychology Plans for next year: Teach for America Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Beating Tulane Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Too many to pick from Favorite professor: Colin Dayan in Literature and Law In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Awesome Favorite place on campus: Alumni Hall Favorite place in Nashville: Noshville What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: My team |
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Abby Wheeler Lacrosse Degree: Human and Organizational Development Plans for next year: Interning in an Urban Design Firm Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Beating Hopkins on our home turf when they were undefeated and ranked 9th overall Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Going to Italy with the team last summer Favorite professor and/or class: Professor Van Schaack, HOD 1700 – Systematic Inquiry In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Odd Favorite place on campus: Our field – lots of memories Favorite place in Nashville: Rippy’s What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: The people |
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Brionne Williams Women’s Track Degree: Medicine, Health and Society; Minor in Child Development Plans for next year: I plan to travel when my season is over and eventually I plan to attend a Nursing School, but I am not quite sure where Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Jumping the school record (6′) and qualifying for the NCAA IndoorNational Championships my junior year Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Too many to name, but basically all the times spent with my team off of the track Favorite professor and/or class: MHS 220 – Narrative Medicine with Dr. A. Scott Pearson. He is an awesome, compassionate professor whose class is interesting and goes exactly along with my career choice. In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Bittersweet Favorite place on campus: Any of the main lawns (Alumni, Commons, Library) because I love sitting outside to do homework when it is nice out. Favorite place in Nashville: Hillsboro Village for the great food and my favorite place to shop What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: The little family I’ve created with my friends, teammates, coaches, staff, etc. |
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Michelle Williamson Swimming Degree: Economics with a Minor in Corporate Strategy Plans for next year: University of Texas School of Law Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: SECs my senior year – my dad came up to count for me in my last mile Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Tailgating season, of course Favorite professor and/or class: Country Music with Peter cooper Favorite place on campus: The Pub What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Everything. It’s been a great experience and I’ve loved every minute. The academics, the swim team, Pi Phi my sorority, Nashville scene and so much more. |
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Megan Yohe Women’s Cross Country Degree: Elementary Education and Child Studies; Minor in Religious Studies Plans for next year: Missionary teacher in a second grade classroom at a Christian school in Bogota, Colombia. Favorite athletic memories at Vanderbilt: Hosting Cross Country SECs my junior year out at Percy Warner was by far one of my favorite races.Our team ran well and I was able to enjoy one of my best races with friends and family at the course! Another favorite memory is every year when finals roll around in the winter and we have the annual holiday party with local elementary school kids in Nashville. And just one more: I couldn’t forget this past summer when I had the opportunity to travel with Soles4Souls and Vanderbilt athletics to Tanzania, Africa. We were able to love on all these African children and come together as one Vanderbilt team, not just our individual sports. Favorite non-athletic memory at Vanderbilt: Peru WhoUWith Mission Trip was by far one of my favorite memories at Vanderbilt. It was an amazing week, in which I was able to serve abroad and grow stronger in my faith with some of my closest friends at school. Also, who doesn’t love football games supporting our `Dores? Favorite class: Hard to pick just one. A few favorite classes include: Spanish, Global Int. of Christian Scripture, and Exploring Lit for Children. In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Unbelievable Favorite place on campus: WhoUWith ministry house and Peabody Lawn with friends Favorite places in Nashville: Percy Warner Park, Jeni’s Ice Cream What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: Hands down: the people. The people on this campus have meant so much to me. I will miss talking with friends, exploring Nashville, and meeting new people. |
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Rebecca Young Swimming Degree: Chemistry; Minor in Math Plans for next year: Medical School at University of South Alabama Favorite athletic memory at Vanderbilt: SEC’s my senior year; went a lifetime best Favorite class: Acting I In one word what does it feel like to be graduating: Bizarre Favorite place on campus: Vanderbilt Stadium What will you miss most about Vanderbilt: All my friends |