Vanderbilt University, Nashville

Vanderbilt University, often referred to as Vandy, is a prestigious private research institution situated in Nashville. Its establishment dates back to 1873, and it bears the name of "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, a prominent figure in shipping and rail industries. Interestingly, even though Commodore Vanderbilt had never set foot in the South, he generously endowed the university with an initial sum of $1 million. His vision was to contribute to the healing of the wounds inflicted by the Civil War through the university's endeavors.

In the present day, Vanderbilt University boasts an enrollment of around 12,000 students, hailing from every state in the United States and over 90 different countries. The institution comprises four undergraduate schools and six graduate and professional schools. Additionally, it is associated with numerous research centers and institutes, including the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies, Freedom Forum First Amendment Center, Dyer Observatory, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which serves as the sole Level I trauma center in Middle Tennessee.

Notably, all university facilities, except for the off-campus observatory and satellite medical clinics, are conveniently located on its 330-acre campus in the heart of Nashville, a mere 1.5 miles from the downtown area. Despite its urban setting, the campus itself is designated as a national arboretum and boasts a diverse array of over 300 tree and shrub species.

Vanderbilt University has produced an impressive array of notable alumni and affiliates, including two Vice Presidents of the United States, 25 Rhodes Scholars, seven Nobel Prize laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Academy Award winners.