Making the World a Better Place

When Vice Admiral (Ret.) Nora Tyson, BA’79, arrived on the Vanderbilt campus, she never could have imagined the incredible journey that would follow. During her time as an undergraduate, she made invaluable connections and friendships that have followed her throughout her life. After graduating, a simple conversation with a Navy recruiter changed her trajectory. She reflected, “What started as four years turned into 38.”

Tyson led a remarkable career in the Navy, embracing every chance to take on something new — opening doors for future leaders to follow in her footsteps. “I had the opportunity to do things that I never dreamed of doing and that women never had the opportunity to do before,” she said. Among many achievements, Tyson was the first woman to command a battle fleet. She credits her success to her mother and father who always prioritized education and a strong value system.

After retiring in 2017, Tyson became increasingly involved with Vanderbilt, serving as a vice chair of the Board of Trust, giving lectures, mentoring students and more. “I loved my time at Vanderbilt as a student and have amazing memories. But in the seven years that I’ve been on the board, I have become such a believer in what the university stands for.”

Looking back on her career and her Vanderbilt experiences, Tyson is filled with gratitude. She said, “Now, at this stage in my life, I feel that the most important thing I can do is give back to those coming behind me. If I can help future generations in some small way, then that’s what I want to do.”

Tyson and her husband Wayne feel deeply connected to Vanderbilt and are inspired by the opportunities the university provides to students and the community. This strong sense of commitment fueled their decision to document a planned gift to support the university’s mission. “It’s all about giving people the tools that they need to go out and make a difference,” Tyson shared. “I want to help make the world a better place — that’s the bottom line. I think Vanderbilt provides the best platform to do that.”