Vanderbilt honors senior with deep family roots

Caroline Ford received the title of Class of 2027 Outstanding Senior during the halftime of Vanderbilt’s Homecoming football game on Oct. 17. The award is one of the highest honors given to an undergraduate at the university. It recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, service, and passion within the campus community.

Ford’s connection to Vanderbilt extends back to her birth. Her mother, Mary Cady Bolin, was a junior student when she discovered she was pregnant. Bolin took a year off from school to raise Ford partially in her Chi Omega sorority house while Ford’s father finished law school. Bolin later returned to complete her undergraduate degree. Ford described the university as her first home.

Ford currently serves as the company commander for the Vanderbilt Navy ROTC program. She is also a university tour guide and vice president of recruitment counselors on the Panhellenic Council. In high school, Ford completed field exercises at the Marine Corps’ Parris Island base. She later transferred into the Navy ROTC program because of an interest in naval weapons and sonar systems. Upon graduation, she will begin her career as a commissioned Navy officer.

Ford majors in human and organizational development. She said the program taught her to improve systems within organizations and lead small groups. She also maintains strong ties to Greek life. Ford said she did not plan to join a sorority but was encouraged by her mother and friends. She now serves in recruitment leadership roles.

The Class of 2027 includes other nominees for the Outstanding Senior award. Ava Aria studied neuroscience and medicine while serving in student government and multicultural leadership roles. Maya Azzato focused on child development and worked in a research lab on inclusive learning for children with disabilities. Alexandra Biddle studied mechanical engineering and will work for John Deere after graduation. Whitney Childs led the Ambassadores organization and will work as a consultant in Houston. Sophie Citron worked to expand bone marrow registries and plans to attend medical school. Dylan Goldin co-led Gift of Life and plans to attend medical school. Naomi Porter interned with the National Association of State Boards of Education and studied Spanish and human and organizational development.

Ford credited the ROTC program with having the most positive influence on her university experience. She wore her Navy uniform to the ceremony to represent the organization. Her mother said Ford chose to live her life well. Ford said she is grateful for the university and her mother for bringing her to Nashville.