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A resolution recognizing the Nichols Humanitarian Fund at Vanderbilt University and its 2023 student recipients.
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WHEREAS, the Nichols Humanitarian Fund (“the Fund”) at Vanderbilt University was established in 2006 by the E.C. and Lucile Hamby Nichols Trust and by Edward C. Nichols, Jr. and his wife, Janice Nichols. The Fund was established in honor of former First Lady Laura Bush’s speech on Senior Class Day. The Fund encourages Vanderbilt students to become better citizens of the world and to broaden their thinking by volunteering for humanitarian efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Fund enables students to volunteer for local, domestic, or international humanitarian service opportunities by making support available for educational, travel, and living expenses during their time of service. The Fund distributes awards based on merit and need to Vanderbilt students to pay the expenses of their humanitarian activities; and
WHEREAS, students are encouraged to develop their own service opportunities where they can work to address areas of need of particular interest to them. Funding can also be used to participate in established service opportunities at Vanderbilt and throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, forty students received awards from the Fund in 2023 to work on humanitarian projects during the summer academic break. Students worked in eight U.S. cities and sixteen foreign countries. The projects are in Burlington KY, Indianapolis IN, Nashville TN, Pittsburg PA, Redwood City CA, San Francisco CA, Santa Barbara CA, Washington D.C., Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, and Ukraine; and
WHEREAS, the projects include creating the first Peruvian School of Emerging Leaders program in Lima, Peru; an archaeological dig in France; helping the homeless in Barcelona, Spain; battling food insecurity in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; working with the disabled population in Nashville, Tennessee; working as an emergency medical technician in Mexico; providing education to individuals with special needs; partnering with Women’s Economic Ventures in Santa Barbara, California; supporting the Mercy Health Clinic in Washington, D.C.; and much more; and
WHEREAS, the student recipients for 2023 are John Abad, Alexys Ahn, Marvi Ali, Natalie Andreoli, Charu Balamurugan, Benedict Ballman, Ojas Bhagra, Danna Chacon, Riya Chinni, Muhammad Dilawar, Carson Dixon, Ralph Froancois, Elanie Gboloo, Madison Glenn-Lawson, Ellen Habteyonas, Carol Ham, Jonathan Jesalva, Min Joo Kim, J.M. Kongmanychanh, Camille Liska, Emma Marlowe, Ansley McDurmon, William McGoughran, Mahd Mohsin, Maya Mueller, Anthony Munoz, Imaad Muwahid, Micah Olson, Aidan Pittsenbargar, Jack Polucha, Davis Recht, Luke Rickers, Marius Schueller, Yunah Song, Matthew Stein III, Julia Tilton, Aryana Valedon, Soumia Vellanki, Carson Viggiano, and Lillian Zheng; and
WHEREAS, the Fund is a companion scholarship fund to the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal, which is awarded by Vanderbilt University to those persons who define the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. The Nichols-Chancellor’s Medalist is recognized and delivers the keynote speech at Vanderbilt’s Graduates Day ceremony, an Award ceremony the day prior to Commencement. Past Nichols-Chancellor’s Medalists include Maria Ressa, Reid Hoffman, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Caroline Kennedy, Venus Williams, and Amal Clooney; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognize the Nichols Humanitarian Fund at Vanderbilt University, its students, and its impact on Nashville and the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the Nichols Humanitarian Fund at Vanderbilt University and its 2023 student recipients.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.