The Inauguration of President Laura Ann Rosenbury

On February 2, the Barnard community came together for the inauguration of the College’s ninth president, Laura Ann Rosenbury. Students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and trustees — alongside representatives from government and academic institutions — filled Riverside church to celebrate this historic moment. Rosenbury’s family, friends, and former colleagues were in attendance and spoke from the podium, and in a tribute video, to honor her accomplishments and wish her the best of luck in her new role.

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“Laura and Barnard are a perfect fit. Starting with me, she has supported young women in realizing their dreams,” said President Rosenbury’s younger sister, Linda Rosenbury. “I am confident that she will continue Barnard’s long-standing commitment to excellence in women’s education.”

From her time at Harvard-Radcliffe College, where she studied under professor (and now senator) Elizabeth Warren, to Rosenbury’s scholarly work, in which her reimagined feminist theory in law, attendees gained fresh insight on the president’s many accomplishments and her impressive career. Longtime friend and college roommate Nalini P. Kotamraju spoke of Rosenbury’s deep-seated passion for feminist ideals. “When Laura told me she had accepted this role, I laughed aloud in joy at the absolute rightness of the fit,” she said. Rosenbury’s mentor and friend Martha Minow, the Harvard University 300th Anniversary University Professor, assured the crowd, “For Laura, schooling is not just a means to an end but also a vibrant world of present experiences.”

Board of Trustees chair Cheryl Glicker Milstein ’82, P’14, said the board knew they made the perfect choice for president, especially at this moment in time. “We wake up every day in a world where women see our fundamental rights under attack,” she said. “We have a leader in Laura who has devoted her life to taking on these fights ... who leads with a quiet strength and conviction and provides an example for every one of our students to emulate.”

Columbia University’s President Minouche Shafik highlighted how Rosenbury joins a University community that remains “proud to count some of the most celebrated women in the world as partners and friends” for more than 135 years.

Taking the podium after an introduction by Kotamraju, Rosenbury shared her vision for Barnard in her inaugural address by reminding the audience of what makes Barnard special — its bold ability and commitment to meet and solve tough challenges, regardless of the time period. She then discussed her priorities, which fell into five distinct areas: build communities of care, reimagine our infrastructure, embrace OneBarnard,” lead into the future, and grow our resources.

“We pursue different passions, and we passionately disagree,” she said, concluding her remarks with, “I know that all of us will come together right now, in this moment, to begin our work together as one community, as one Barnard, boldly leaning into our history — what makes us special, what we will never lose, while fearlessly leading into a new future.”