It’s not rare to meet Vanderbilt alumni from decades ago and connect over the shared experience of living at Branscomb Quadrangle. As we say farewell to Branscomb, one of the most iconic residences on campus, main campus also bids adieu to 63 years of the complex’s history.

Built in 1962, Branscomb’s high density and small footprint have connected classes and created communities. Currently housing mostly sophomores, the quad once accommodated a large portion of Vanderbilt’s first-year students before the construction of the Commons. It also previously housed its own dining hall in the area now known as Lupton Lounge. 

At first, it housed the female first-year students and featured much tighter security than the six buildings comprising its male counterpart, Kissam Quadrangle, which was torn down in 2012. One floor had a rule barring male visitors at any time, while others had strict guidelines for when others could enter. Alumnus Clint Richmond (B.A. ‘77) described the division between men and women as both physical, with security, and symbolic, with the large distance between Branscomb and the former Kissam. 

“Many men didn’t really go into Branscomb often,” Richmond said. “It was very separated.”

Named after former Vanderbilt Garden Club President Margaret Branscomb and former Chancellor Harvie Branscomb, the quad stands as a testament to the dramatic expansions undertaken at the time — not dissimilar to the large-scale projects we see today. The four buildings within Branscomb are named after important women in Vanderbilt’s history: Kate Lupton Wilkinson, the first woman to receive a Vanderbilt degree; Anne Scales Benedict, an advocate for women’s educational opportunities; Ada Bell Stapleton, the first Dean of Women; and Stella Scott Vaughn, a pioneer of women’s athletics.

Moving forward to more recent history, Branscomb has become a special place for a large number of students and staff. Housing Area Coordinator Kerrie Turney, who has lived on-site in Branscomb for the past 15 years, views the quad as a special and enriching place that has been the home of a major chapter in her life. 

“It is the epicenter of campus, a meeting place where thousands of humans have spent a large portion of their lives when not in the classroom,” Turney said in an email to The Hustler. “Throughout my time, I have had the opportunity to engage with Vanderbilt students from what feels like every era of Branscomb. A common theme that transcends the generations has been the tremendous relationships that people built within the community; for many alumni, these have lasted a lifetime.”

Turney also emphasized her appreciation for the Resident Advisor teams she has worked with throughout her 15 years and the impact her role has had on her life.

“My life will truly never be the same without Branscomb,” Turney said.

As Turney mentioned, one of the most important aspects of Branscomb has been its strong sense of community. Senior Sophia Potter described her time living in the quad as a true bonding experience for her class during their sophomore year.

“You were always seeing someone you knew, whether it was at your best or your worst,” Potter said. “That’s a beautiful part about finding your people in college — they see both sides of you and still love you. Branscomb, in a way, bonded many of us.”

Sophomore and current resident of Branscomb Vera Powell reflected on the building’s most iconic feature — Lupton “Lup” Lounge — that fostered unique interactions among students. 

“Living in Branscomb was truly an exceptional way to meet new friends and become closer with the friends I made freshman year,” Powell said. “Lup Lounge will forever be missed. I really hope for future students’ sake that the new quad is built as soon as possible.”

The teardown of the iconic space is not just upsetting for those who once lived there, but also to the incoming sophomore class that won’t be able to share similar experiences. 

First-year Roan Roth shared her experience of having to scramble for last-minute off-campus housing and expressed how that might affect community-building among her and her peers. 

“I’ve always heard about the infamous stories from the Branscomb living experience — not being able to live there truly sucks,” Roth said. “Now my friends and I are spread out across Nashville as we all had to apply for last-minute off-campus housing. It’s going to be a big transition from living on Commons.”

That community is no recent creation, either. Alumna Karri Hobson-Pape (B.A. ‘93) recalls her time living in Stapleton House as one filled with memories and friends.

“Branscomb was the heart of Vanderbilt for all [first-years], as the lobby Munchie Mart was the central meeting spot and guests needed to check in to visit rooms in each building, especially for the opposite gender,” Hobson-Pape said. “Though it was 35 years ago, it feels like yesterday, and the smell of the hallways will linger forever.” 

It’s clear from these testimonies that the Branscomb experience is unlike that of any other residential hall on campus. Despite deteriorating walls, fly-infested bathrooms and multiple reports of water and electricity outages, the building has created unforgettable memories for students and brought together the first-year and sophomore classes that inhabited the space. Iconic features — from the swing set in the quad, to the infamous Lup Lounge study space and the renowned Munchie Mart — fostered a sense of community, uniting students under one, common living space.

As saddening as the teardown is, some argue that maybe the demolition of Branscomb is timely, if not way overdue. Despite the great memories associated with the buildings, some previous residents reflect on the uninhabitable living spaces. Senior Raeba Pradhan said she believes Branscomb’s demolition is a good thing. 

“The living environment of Branscomb was, in theory, exciting, but in practice, overwhelming,” Pradhan said. “There was basically no personal space; the rooms were small, bathrooms were riddled with trash and the common spaces were regularly bustling with people. I will not be sad to see it knocked down.” 

The demolition of Branscomb Quad is truly a heartbreaking experience for many but maybe it is time for this historic and iconic living space to see its final days. All that students can hope for is that Vanderbilt builds the next sophomore living space to be as dynamic and socially proactive as Branscomb once was. Nevertheless, all those who lived there have strong personal connections — whether positive or negative — that made their year an unforgettable one.