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Founders Circle

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Join the Founders Circle

Charitable gifts from alumni and friends provide critical support for our students, faculty members and programs. The Founders Circle recognizes financial support of Vanderbilt Law School by those who make annual gifts of $2,500 and up. Alumni who received their Vanderbilt Law degrees within the last 10 years are eligible for membership with an annual gift of $1,000. There are four recognition levels:

Member: $2,500 ($1,000 for Recent Graduates)
Benefactor: $5,000-$9,999
Dean's List: $10,000-$24,999
Cornelius Vanderbilt: $25,000 and up

Click here to make your gift and join the Founders Circle. 

Founders Circle Dinners

  • 2025 Dinner

    The 2025 Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, on Thursday, March 27, honored:

    Jim Cuminale (JD'78)

    Distinguished Alumnus Award

    Nicholas S. Zeppos, Chancellor Emeritus and University Distinguished Professor of Law and Political Science Emeritus

    Distinguished Service Award

  • 2024 Dinner

    The 2024 Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, on Thursday, April 11, honored:

    Sara J. Finley (JD'85)

    Distinguished Alumna Award

    The Honorable Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr. (BA'78, JD'81)

    Distinguished Service Award

  • 2023 Dinner

    The annual Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on Thursday, April 20, 2023. This year's honorees are:

    Weldon Wilson (JD'86)

    Distinguished Alumnus Award

    James F. Blumstein (University Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law and Health Law & Policy; Professor of Management, Owen Graduate School of Management; Director, Vanderbilt Health Policy Center)

    Distinguished Service Award

  • 2019 Dinner

    The annual Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Vanderbilt Law School. This year's honorees are:

    Samuel W. Bartholomew Jr. (JD'73) 

    Distinguished Alumnus Award (posthumously)

    The Hon. Jane Branstetter Stranch (BA'75, JD'78)

    Distinguished Service Award

  • 2018 Dinner

    The annual Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on April 13, 2018 at Vanderbilt Law School. This year's honorees are:

    Professor Robert S. Reder (JD'78)

    Distinguished Alumnus Award

    The Honorable Cornelia "Connie" Clark (BA'71, JD'79)

    Distinguished Service Award

  • 2017 Dinner

    The annual Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Vanderbilt Law School. This year's honorees are:

    Darren Robbins (JD'93)

    Distinguished Alumnus Award

    Janie Greenwood Harris (LLB'64)

    Distinguished Service Award

  • 2016 Dinner

    The annual Founders Circle dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held Friday, April 15, 2016 at Vanderbilt Law School. This year's honorees are:

    Stephanie Parker (JD'84)

    Distinguished Alumna Award

    The Honorable Aleta Arthur Trauger (MAT'72, JD'76)

    Distinguished Service Award

  • 2015 Dinner

    The annual Founders Circle dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on Friday, April 10th at Vanderbilt Law School. This year's honorees are:

    Charles "Chet" Gerdts III (JD'78)

    Distinguished Alumnus Award (posthumously)

    Victor "Torry" Johnson III (JD'74)

    Distinguished Service Award

  • 2014 Dinner

    The 2014 Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on Friday, April 11 at the Student Life Center. This year's honorees are:

    Frank M. Garrison, Jr. (BA'76, JD'79)

    Distinguished Alumnus Award

    Alyne Queener Massey (BA'48)

    Distinguished Service Award (posthumously)

  • 2013 Dinner

    The 2013 Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on Friday, April 12 in the Law School's North Lobby. This year's honorees are:

    Richard S. Aldrich Jr. (JD'75)

    Distinguished Alumnus Award

    Lee S. Cutcliff (BA'61, LLB'67) 

    Distinguished Service Award