Nashville is known as the, “Athens of the South,” boasting a plethora of fantastic institutions of higher education. It would take two hands to count them all, but Vanderbilt stands out as one of the most prominent. Located smack dab in the middle of Tennessee’s capital city, the university has seen close to 150 years of academic prowess go out into the world in the form of its students. Take a look at these fun fifteen facts about this beautiful place!

15) Vandy is a NCAA Conference Rebel. The school competes in the Southeastern Conference, making it the absolutely ONLY private institution in the SEC.
Brent Moore / Flickr
14) It's a golden oldie - the school clocks in at almost 150 years old! Founded by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1873, the student body and solid reputation has grown exponentially.
Jimmy Emerson DVM / Flickr
13) When Vanderbilt recruited Perry Wallace to the basketball team in 1966, they threw the conventions of the South to the wind - he was the first African-American on the team.
Adam Fagen / Flickr
12) Although Cornelius is credited as the founder of the school, it was at the request of his wife. They gave an estimated $1 million.
11) There is a lecture hall in the engineering building named, "Jacobs Believed In Me Engineering."
jcbonbon / Flickr
10) The campus houses students and...squirrels. It's been estimated that there are three to every one student.
Derek Bruff / Flickr
9) On average, there are almost 12,000 full-time students taking classes. Rounded out with almost 900 part-time, that makes one full campus!
David Gannon / Flickr

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8) Almost 6% MORE women attend the university than men. Girl power!
Wayne Hsieh / Flickr
7) The school has the only Level 1 trauma center located in Middle Tennessee, and has the only cancer center that conducts research for both children and adults. It is a part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network which only consists of the elite and top 21 clinical cancer institutes in the nation.
jcbonbon / Flickr
6) Al Gore attended both graduate school and law school at Vanderbilt.
Peter Eimon / Flickr
5) The mascot is a Commodore after Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, and school colors are black and gold.
Derek Bruff / Flickr
4) Vanderbilt has been rated 16th best National University by US News & World Report and 1st in Audiology studies. Rock on, Nashville.
George Whitaker / Flickr
3) All students graduate on the aptly named, "Alumni Lawn." It's where they finally step from student to graduate.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
2) Did you know the Vanderbilt Stadium can seat more than 40,000 people? The Memorial Gymnasium follows up with 14,326 seats for fans and the Charles Hawkins Field for baseball lovers clocks in at 3,700.
George Whitaker / Flickr
1) With more than 500 clubs and a plethora of options for student organizations, there's no excuse not to get involved at Vandy.
David Gannon / Flickr

So, what do you think? It sounds like a pretty neat place to pick up a diploma if you ask us. Tell us your favorite facts about Vanderbilt University in the comments below!

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