PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: Making progress

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: Making progress PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: Making progress Campus life marches forward in a steady rhythm despite shifting climates and moods. By Royce Yang, Deputy Photography Editor Oct 12, 2026 A tower crane moves materials around the Branscomb construction site as a worker sits inside it, as photographed Oct. 6, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/George Albu) George Albu Volleyball and Football  Vanderbilt Volleyball trounced the Auburn Tigers 3-0 on Oct. 9 at Memorial Gymnasium, securing its third consecutive SEC victory. The next day, Vanderbilt Football hosted Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium but failed to defeat the Rebels, resulting in a 52-17 loss for the Commodores.  Michelle Enriquez Avery Scoggins saves the ball against Auburn in Memorial Gymnasium, as photographed Oct. 9, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Michelle Enriquez) Michelle Enriquez Reese Animashaun spikes the ball against Auburn in Memorial Gymnasium, as photographed Oct. 9, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Michelle Enriquez) Luis Tellez Samantha Wunsch prepares for the spike in Memorial Gymnasium, as photographed Oct. 9, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Luis Tellez) Rachel Loomis CJ Heard battles an Ole Miss defender in FirstBank Stadium, as photographed Oct. 10, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Rachel Loomis) Rachel Loomis CJ Heard drops Trinidad Chambliss to the ground in FirstBank Stadium, as photographed Oct. 10, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Rachel Loomis) Rachel Loomis Jared Curtis drops back to pass, as photographed Oct. 10, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Rachel Loomis) Lucas Li Vanderbilt and Ole Miss football players scramble during the game, as photographed Oct. 10, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Lucas Li) A fire and a talk  On the evening of Oct. 5, a parked Chevrolet Prizm went up in flames on Vanderbilt Place near Sarratt Student Center. Firefighters from Station 16 of the Nashville Fire Department responded swiftly and extinguished the fire. Earlier that day, professors John Sides and Noam Lupu discussed the state of democracy in the Americas during a Dialogue Vanderbilt event. They noted that while general support for democracy remains high, citizens in strong democracies are often more willing to prioritize economic or physical security over democratic trade-offs.  A Rosenbauer Commander of Nashville Fire Department hoses down a burnt Chevrolet Prizm using a Hale Qmax pump, as photographed Oct. 5, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Royce Yang) Royce Yang A Rosenbauer Commander of Nashville Fire Department hoses down a burnt Chevrolet Prizm using a Hale Qmax pump, as photographed Oct. 5, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Royce Yang) Leif Crockett The audience listens as Vanderbilt professors John Sides (left) and Noam Lupu (right) discuss democracy in the Central Library Community Room, as photographed Oct. 5, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Leif Crockett) Leif Crockett Professor John Sides speaks while Professor Noam Lupu watches, as photographed Oct. 5, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Leif Crockett) Editor’s picks  Fattening squirrels and heightening construction sites are welcome signs that the end of anticipation is near. Days are getting shorter, but fall break is creeping up on the calendar as the leaves begin to turn into hues of yellow and orange. Hang in there!  Jenny Zheng A squirrel eats an acorn under some leaves by the Stevenson Center, as photographed Oct. 3, 2026 (Hustler Multimedia/Jenny Zheng) George Albu A yellow crane climbs its arm into the top of the Branscomb construction site, as photographed Oct. 6, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/George Albu) Sophia Lin People stand under an archway at Rothschild College, as photographed Oct. 4, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Sophia Lin) Sophia Lin Chairs sit empty outside the Alpha Tau Omega House on a clear day, as photographed Oct. 4, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Sophia Lin) Royce Yang Empty chairs fill Zeppos Dining Hall, as photographed Oct. 9, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Royce Yang) View Story Comments 2 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Tags: Photography photos of the week Vanderbilt Leave a comment About the Contributors Royce Yang, Deputy Photography Editor Royce Yang (‘27) is majoring in political science in the College of Arts and Science while minoring in music performance and legal studies. He can occasionally be observed curating an extensive collection of Bach or attempting to identify helicopters around the Medical Center based on their noise. You can reach him at [email protected]. George Albu, Photography Editor George Albu (‘27) is majoring in medicine, health and society in the College of Arts and Science. He previously served as Deputy Opinion Editor. When not working for The Hustler, he enjoys watching video essays, exploring Nashville and going to the Rec. He can be reached at [email protected]. Luis Tellez, Staff Photographer Luis Tellez (’28) is majoring in human and organizational development in Peabody College. When not photographing for The Hustler, you can find him at every Vanderbilt sports event, watching the Tennessee Titans or listening to his favorite artist Dominic Fike. He can be reached at [email protected]. Rachel Loomis, Staff Photographer Rachel Loomis (‘28) is from Syracuse, New York, and is majoring in Psychology on the Honors track and pursuing pre-med with hopes of attending medical school. When she’s not shooting for The Hustler, you can probably find her at a Pilates class, drinking coffee, or watching football/soccer! Jenny Zheng, Staffer-in-Training Jenny Zheng (’30) is majoring in philosophy with a minor in legal studies in the College of Arts and Science and minoring in music in the Blair School of Music. When not writing and photographing for The Hustler, you can find her singing along to her guitar, learning new guitar solos or concocting new drink combinations. She can be reached at [email protected]. Sophia Lin, Staff Photographer Sophia Lin (’29) is majoring in civil engineering in the School of Engineering. When not photographing for The Hustler, you can find her engaging in various arts and crafts, trying out new food places, playing Steam games or working on building a timber structure. She can be reached at [email protected]. More to Discover More about Photography PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: Jumping into action IN PHOTOS: My journey across five countries in Europe SMITH: Overpaying for Greek composites? Make them yourself. 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