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.
The annual Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, will be 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
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:
The Hon. Jane Branstetter Stranch (BA'75, JD'78)
Distinguished Service Award
Samuel W. Bartholomew Jr. (JD'73)
Distinguished Alumnus Award (posthumously)
The annual Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on April 13, 2018 at Vanderbilt Law School.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to
Professor Robert S. Reder (JD'78)
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to
The Honorable Cornelia "Connie" Clark (BA'71, JD'79)
The annual Founders Circle Dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Vanderbilt Law School.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to
Darren Robbins (JD'93)
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to
Janie Greenwood Harris (LLB'64)
The annual Founders Circle dinner, hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie, was held Friday, April 15, 2016 at Vanderbilt Law School.
The Distinguished Alumna Award was presented to Stephanie Parker (JD'84)
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to The Honorable Aleta Arthur Trauger (MAT'72, JD'76)
The annual Founders Circle dinner hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie was held on Friday, April 10th at Vanderbilt Law School beginning with a reception at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented posthumously to
Charles "Chet" Gerdts III (JD'78)
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to
Victor "Torry" Johnson III (JD'74)
An article featuring the honorees can be found here.
Founders Circle members are invited to an annual dinner hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie that celebrates their generosity to Vanderbilt Law School. The 2014 Founders Circle Dinner was held on Friday, April 11 at the Student Life Center.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Frank M. Garrison, Jr. (BA'76, JD'79)
The Distinguished Service Award was presented posthumously to Alyne Queener Massey (BA'48)
The 2013 Founders Circle Dinner was held on Friday, April 12 in the Law School's North Lobby.
Richard S. Aldrich Jr. (JD'75) was presented with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and Lee S. Cutcliff (BA'61, LLB'67) was presented with the Distinguished Service Award. Click here to see a list of all past award recipients.
View a photo slideshow of highlights from the evening.
2013 Founders Circle Dinner honorees Lee Cutcliff and Richard Aldrich
