Midnight Breakfast 2010

For more than a century, Barnard has evolved and added to its rich heritage with popular events that center students, the surrounding Morningside Heights community, and of course, food. 

Check out the 13 examples below that have withstood time, garnered media attention, and continue to connect generations of Barnard women to one another.

New Student Orientation Program (NSOP)

There’s no feeling like taking the first steps through Barnard’s gates as a new student. Every year, NSOP welcomes first-year and transfer students by introducing them to the plethora of resources available during their time at Barnard and Columbia University. The hustle-and-bustle-filled week centers on Move-In Day and includes craft nights, movie screenings, and outings around New York City.

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Collection of images from NSOP 2010
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NSOP 2023

The Green Sale

Barnard’s most successful effort to build a circular campus is easily the Green Sale. What began as a student-run program grew into an annual event in 2018, hosted by the Office of Sustainability. Through the Give and Go Green program, students donate unwanted dorm decor and storage, school supplies and textbooks, clothing, microwaves, and mini fridges. At the Green Sale, held annually during NSOP, students can purchase these gently used items at a reduced price. In 2023, the College collected 24,804 pounds of items and was highlighted in the media for its efforts.

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7 young women in green Barnard Sustainability shirts with their arms around each other
The Green Sale during NSOP in 2021
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President Rosenbury with the sustainability team at the Green Sale 2023
President Rosenbury with the Sustainability Team at the Green Sale in 2023

Convocation

The College’s most enduring tradition, Convocation marks the beginning of the academic year and celebrates new and returning students, who dress in color-coded T-shirts that signify their class years. 

A procession of administration and alumnae, dressed in collegiate regalia, opens the ceremony at Riverside Church, and a block party with food trucks and a DJ concludes the celebration on campus. Each year, an esteemed alumna delivers a keynote speech to excited students. Past speakers include Emmy Award-winning producer Sheila Nevins ’60, Pulitzer Prize-winning news anchor and reporter Maria Hinojosa ’84, and Herminia Palacio ’83, president and CEO of the Guttmacher Institute.

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convocation 1939
Barnard’s 50th anniversary Convocation in 1939
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 Convocation 2023 held at Riverside Church
Convocation 2023 at Riverside Church

Big Sub

A huge chain of sandwiches that takes over campus is Barnard’s tastiest tradition. Hosted by the McIntosh Activities Council (McAC) each fall since 2000, Big Sub gathers the community together to feast. The origin of this custom might be up for debate, but Barnard foodies are always and undoubtedly left satisfied. Even the media is intrigued! In 2023, all extra sandwiches were donated to HEP’s Morningside Heights community fridge.

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students setting up for big sub 2007
Big Sub 2007
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Big Sub 2023

Millie’s Thanksgiving Homestay

Barnard’s tight-knit community is made up of a network of students, alumnae, faculty, and staff who support one another — especially around the holidays. Through Millie’s Thanksgiving Homestay Program, generous alumnae volunteers are paired with students who remain in the City for the holiday. In this way, students are surrounded by their Barnard family even when they are far from home. 
 

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students at thanksgiving homestay 2023 with Ann Sacher '85
Students with their alumna pairing, Ann Sacher ’85, in 2023
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Jan Vinokour '72 thanksgiving homestay 2023
Jan Volkour ’72 (front left) and Shiori Horton ’25 (right)

Four School Tree Lighting

Since 1998, the College has celebrated the start of the holiday season with the annual tree-lighting ceremony on Columbia’s College Walk. Barnard’s Student Government Association (SGA) works with three of Columbia’s undergraduate student councils to host an evening that includes warm treats, a capella performances, holiday cheer, and twinkling trees to create an illuminated, winter wonderland walkway.

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College Walk lights 2005
College Walk in 2005
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College Walk Columbia white lights on trees
College Walk in 2022

Honey Extraction Day

To make the December holiday season even sweeter, faculty and student volunteers from the Biology Department have, for a decade, extracted excess honey produced by the Barnard honey bees. The colonies are cared for at the Snow Lab — led by Jonathan Snow, assistant professor of biological sciences — and the honey they produce is bottled and gifted to friends of the bees across the College.

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Honey Extraction Day, 2018
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Honey Extraction Day, 2023

Inauguration

Over Barnard’s 135-year history, eight women have been officially inaugurated and held the title “President of Barnard College.”

While Inauguration events have varied over the decades, celebratory energy across the College has never wavered. Held at Riverside Church, Inauguration invites the entire Barnard community to honor the new leadership. The first time a new president received the President’s Chain of Office — an insignia of the office and gift from the Board of Trustees — was in 1976. This February 2, President Laura Rosenbury, Barnard’s newest leader, will have the chain placed around her neck for the time when she’s inaugurated as the College’s ninth president.

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Jacquelyn Mattfeld inauguration 1976
President Jacquelyn Mattfeld wore the Chain of Office at Inauguration 1976.
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President Beilock receiving the President's Chain of Office at her inauguration in 2018
President Beilock received the medallion at Inauguration 2018.

Athena Film Festival

Barnard is committed to empowering women across its robust community, and the extremely popular Athena Film Festival (AFF), held on campus every year, is just one example of that mission in action. Taking place during the start of Women’s History Month (March), AFF showcases films that center stories of strong women leaders. Since the festival’s founding in 2011, 90% of the films screened at AFF were directed by women or nonbinary individuals.

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Collection of images from the inaugural Athena Film Festival in 2011
Images from the inaugural Athena Film Festival, 2011
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Athena Film Festival 2023 red carpet
The red carpet at the 2023 Athena Film Festival

Senior Toast

Bittersweet is often used to describe the range of feelings rushing through seniors as they experience their many college “lasts.” As they prepare for their future beyond the gates, seniors partake in an evening toast, hosted by members of the administration and faculty, to celebrate the graduating class. Excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Commencement resound over clinking glasses, while seniors reflect on their time at Barnard.
 

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Yearbook image of the class of 2001 at their senior toast
Yearbook image of the Class of 2001 at Senior Toast
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Seniors celebrating at Senior Toast 2023
Students celebrated at Senior Toast 2023.

Midnight Breakfast

Each semester, on the night before finals, throughout the campus, students can be found studying and dining. Barnard staff and administration stay late on campus and serve breakfast to hardworking students. This is a favorite tradition of breakfast lovers who might need time to relax or to sing off the stress of finals with some karaoke. 

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student being served by President Shapiro at midnight breakfast
2008’s “Be Our Guest”-themed Midnight Breakfast with Barnard’s sixth president, Judith Shapiro (left)
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Students in line for Midnight Breakfast at the end of the fall 2022 semester
Students in line for Midnight Breakfast in fall 2022

Commencement

It’s the day that seniors spend four years working toward. For Commencement, campus is filled with balloons, blue caps and gowns, and pride for the graduating class as they head to the iconic Radio City Music Hall to toss their mortarboards. Before they cross the stage to receive their diplomas, a keynote speaker addresses the audience with inspiring advice. Past speakers have included President Barack Obama, soccer star Abby Wambach, thespian Viola Davis, author Margot Lee Shetterly, and actor/writer/producer Lena Waithe.

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Class of 1966
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Class of 2022 crossing broadway to commencement
Class of 2022

Reunion

Every summer, Barnard invites alumnae back home to reconnect and reminisce at Reunion. Attendees party with old friends and visit new or updated locations at the College. To conclude the weekend-long celebration, the Alumnae Association honors extraordinary alumnae with five awards: the Award for Distinction, the Barnard Bold Award, the Award for Service to Barnard, the Millicent Carey McIntosh Award for Feminism, and the Young Alum Award. 
 

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Reunion 1990
Members of the Class of 1960 at their 30th Reunion in 1990
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The Class of 1973 Celebrating their 50th Reunion
The Class of 1973 celebrated their 50th Reunion in 2023.