Overview

The Commodore is the University’s official student yearbook. It provides a history in pictures and copy of a particular year at Vanderbilt University, creating continuity for future generations of students.

History

The yearbook was first published as the Comet in 1886-87 by members of the University’s fraternities. According to the Salutatory in the first volume, the yearbook received its name because of Astronomy Professor E.E. Barnard's national influence and the attention his discoveries brought to Vanderbilt.1 In 1909 the book’s name was changed to Commodore in response to a campus movement to unite the school under a common mascot and identity. About 1915 the Commodore evolved from fraternity publication to university-wide yearbook. The yearbook came under control of Vanderbilt Student Communications, Inc. in 1967.

Frequency

The Commodore is published once a year, in the fall. The typical edition includes approximately 350 pages in a mix of black-and-white and color. All undergraduate students who sit for portraits will have them included in the yearbook as a part of this permanent university record.

Organizational Affiliations

Associated Collegiate Press [ACP]
College Media Advisers [CMA]
Columbia Scholastic Press Association [CSPA]

Awards

CSPA Silver Crown 2004
CSPA Gold Circle Second Place Academic Spread with Color 2004
ACP Pacemaker Finalist 2002
CMA Best of Collegiate Design Second Place Yearbook Individuals Spread Design 2002
ACP Best of Show Third Place 2002
CMA Best of Collegiate Design Third Place Yearbook Cover Design 2001
CSPA Gold Crown 1996*
CSPA Gold Crown 1995*
ACP Pacemaker 1995*
CSPA Gold Crown 1994*
ACP Pacemaker 1994*
CSPA Silver Crown 1993
ACP All American 1993
CSPA Medalist 1992
ACP Pacemaker 1992*
ACP All American 1992
ACP Pacemaker 1991*
ACP All American 1991
ACP Second Class 1990
ACP First Class 1988

*denotes highest award given in this category

1 Shea Sullivan, “100 Years in the Making”. Commodore Vol. 100 (1986). p. 14.
2 Paul K. Conkin, Gone with the Ivy: A Biography of Vanderbilt University. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press, 1985.