A legacy 150 years in the making.
As we mark the 150th anniversary of Vanderbilt Divinity School, I find myself returning to the bold vision that shaped our earliest years. From our founding in 1875 as a “school of the prophets,” this institution quickly grew into a place where faith, scholarship, and public life met, often in transformative ways. For generations, students have come to the Divinity School seeking a theological education rooted in ministry, justice, and service to their communities, preparing leaders who engage the world with courage and compassion.
This spirit is alive in our students today.
Whether they are preparing for congregational ministry, chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, or social justice work, our students continue to embody the commitments that have shaped this community for generations: rigorous scholarship, radical hospitality, and a deep sense of responsibility to the places they serve. They are asking hard questions, showing up in their communities, and carrying forward a theological education grounded in justice and inclusion that has shaped the Divinity School for 150 years.
And now, we turn toward the next 150 years.
As we celebrate this milestone, I invite you to ensure that future students can answer their callings with formation, mentorship, and financial accessibility to sustain this work. Your gift directly supports scholarships, student formation, and the training of ministers, chaplains, activists, and leaders who will shape the church and the world in the century ahead.
Thank you for your partnership in this extraordinary chapter of our story. Cheers to 150 years, and many more to come.
With gratitude,
Yolanda Pierce, Ph.D.
Dean
University Distinguished Professor of Religion and Literature
University Distinguished Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies