Perry couple funds scholarships and baseball upgrades at Vanderbilt

Nashville. Meredith Perry and Griffin Perry, both graduates of Vanderbilt University’s 2006 class, have committed a gift to their alma mater. The donation will fund need-based scholarships for undergraduates in the College of Arts and Science. It will also support ongoing improvements to the university’s baseball facilities.

The financial aid component will be named the Perry and Lewis Family Scholarship. This award operates under Opportunity Vanderbilt, the university’s financial aid program. The scholarship honors the donors’ families and provides support to students who earned their degrees in the same college as the Perrys. Jason Merchant, the Searcy Family Dean of the College of Arts and Science, said the gift helps expand access to a Vanderbilt education.

The second part of the gift supports Vandy United, a project aimed at enhancing the fan experience at Hawkins Field. The stadium opened in 2002 and serves as the home for the Vanderbilt baseball team. The team has won two national championships, in 2014 and 2019, and has made five appearances in the College World Series. The Vandy United project will add approximately 50,000 square feet of new or enhanced space. This includes a new pitching lab, a weight room, premium seating, and expanded food and beverage options.

Candice Storey Lee, Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director, thanked the Perrys for supporting the university’s athletic mission. She noted that Coach Tim Corbin has transformed the stadium into a gathering place for the community. The Perrys were students during the team’s first two NCAA Tournament appearances under Corbin. They have previously donated to the Perry Family Athletic Scholarship and support the team through the Champions’ Circle NCC excellence fund.

Meredith Perry works as an attorney in the Litigation Group at Wick Phillips. She focuses on commercial business litigation and civil disputes. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Vanderbilt and a law degree from SMU’s Dedman School of Law. Griffin Perry is the co-founder of Fermi America, a real estate investment trust based in Amarillo, Texas. He also co-founded Grey Rock Investment Partners and has served as co-chairman of the Board of Directors for Granite Ridge Resources. He holds degrees in economics and history from Vanderbilt and studied at the London School of Economics.

The Perrys recently celebrated their 20th Reunion with the Class of 2006. Their contribution is part of the university’s Dare to Grow campaign. This initiative has funded various projects, including the Institute of National Security and expanded urban presences in New York City, San Francisco, Chattanooga, and West Palm Beach. Tim Corbin, the baseball coach, said the investment reflects values that prioritize human growth and excellence.

The new scholarship will begin supporting students in the coming academic terms. The construction and enhancement of the space at Hawkins Field are part of a larger plan to modernize the venue. The project aims to serve the next generation of student-athletes and fans while maintaining the standards established during the team’s recent championship years.