Barnard College Newscenter

BARNARD COLLEGE INAUGURATES DEBORA L. SPAR AS SEVENTH PRESIDENT Leadership of Former Harvard Business School Political Scientist Signifies Evolution of Top Women's College in the Nation

New York, NY -On the afternoon of October 23, a brisk and sunny Thursday, Barnard College inaugurated Debora L. Spar as its 11th leader and seventh president. The ceremony took place at the historic Riverside Church, where various musical interludes reverberated throughout the cavernous vaults, suffusing the ceremony with a momentous and powerful aura.

At a point in time when society's overt vestiges of sexism have largely been eradicated, Spar laid out her vision for a new era at the nation's top college for women - as an incubator designed to shatter what is left of the glass ceiling, where women make the choice to come together to create an influential network of talent, passion and sisterhood. She spoke to Barnard's legacy as a bastion of education for women, but drew a clear distinction between the courageous women who founded the college in 1887 and the dynamic Barnard women of the present, who face the challenges not of the feminine mystique but of "the feminine boutique": a dizzying array of choice. "Our job now is to shoulder the obligation that comes with choice," she said. "If we can do whatever we want with our lives, then we need to build lives that matter. And if we can shape and change the world, then we must."

A political scientist by training, Spar came to Barnard from Harvard Business School, where she was the Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration and an expert on issues of international political economy, focusing on how regulations are established in new or emerging markets and how firms and governments together shape the evolving global economy. Her latest book, The Baby Business, was published in 2006 and explored the economic, political and social issues surrounding reproductive technologies.

In her keynote address, President Spar detailed the three major initiatives she plans to launch at Barnard. She intends to: expand Barnard's international presence, "bringing what we know about women's education to the women who need it most, and exposing our own students to the complex realities of the global economy;" launch a Presidential Research Fund, which will award $100,000 a year to fund faculty research projects at home or abroad; and build and develop an innovative, interdisciplinary institute devoted entirely to the theory and practice of women's leadership called the Barnard Leadership Institute. The Barnard Leadership Institute will draw from the academic expertise in Morningside Heights, "but also from the wealth of experience and wisdom that are found in this extraordinary city and from the lessons in leadership provided by women around the world."

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, bestselling author, and Chair of the Board of Trustees Anna Quindlen '74 opened the ceremony by asking the crowd to "rejoice with us" in welcoming President Spar, whom she described as "a true visionary." Quindlen spoke passionately about Barnard's mission and the role of academia in these rapidly shifting, unstable times. "The free exchange of ideas remains the currency that is never devalued," she said. "We will always move forward powered by the indelible engine of the human intellect." Quindlen praised the new president as an "avatar of the liberal arts," a woman who embodies the "life of the mind" and "delights in satisfying her curiosity with constant inquiry." "The question mark may well be her punctuation mark of choice," said Quindlen.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests followed a recessional, led by President Spar, to Claremont Avenue between 117th and 119th Streets, for an inaugural street party celebration. The party was punctuated by an enormous multi-colored balloon arch at either end, and neighboring buildings were draped with festive ribbons and various flags. Afternoon classes were canceled as students, faculty, staff, alumnae, friends and neighbors marked the occasion, enjoying foods from around the world, music, and performances from student groups, S'madar, Orchesis, Sabor, Columbia University Bhangra, Columbia University Bellydance Troupe, Raw Elementz, and Dhoom.

Judith Vick '09 described how the ceremony stirred up her love of Barnard. "I'm really proud to be a part of this institution," she said. Hannah Yudkin '11 agreed: "I thought it felt extremely collegiate," she said. "The ceremony felt deeply rooted in tradition in a way that was really cool." Alex Inber '12 found the inauguration "beautiful and meaningful."

Mary Gordon '71 reflected, "I think that President Spar is a wonderful example of leadership because she has intellectual achievement, energy - and she's a fabulous listener. She's a wonderful presence who can make people comfortable and yet stimulate them in various directions."

Victoria London '79 attended the inauguration with her daughter, Sophie de Benedetto '11. "It was so inspirational," said London. "Mary Gordon's comments about walking through the gates of Barnard and feeling like she was in heaven - that really resonated for me. And it made me feel great about having my daughter here now."

Lee C. Bollinger, President of Columbia University, offered greetings on behalf of Barnard's partner institution across Broadway. He too reflected on the essential role that Barnard - and Columbia - play in society. "In a world where organizations and institutions come and go, universities and colleges stand for something that is as sturdy as anything we have in life: the transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next, and the unearthing of new knowledge from a deep well."

President Bollinger described inaugurations as "somewhat puzzling ceremonies," noting that "not many institutions continue the unusual ritual of strange dress, multiple remarks, and high sentiments." He joked that the motive must be to either discourage President Spar from resigning too soon - the college did go to an awful lot of trouble, after all - or to "protect" her by championing her many virtues before controversies and difficult challenges inevitably ensue.

The inauguration was attended by hundreds of representatives from colleges and universities across the nation and around the world, who processed with dignitaries and members of the Barnard community in colorful academic regalia. A host of scholars offered remarks in honor of President Spar, including Eric H. Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism; Anthony Marx, President and Professor of Political Science at Amherst College; Allison Stanger, The James Jermain Professor of Political Economy at Middlebury College, a longtime friend of Spar's since their days studying Soviet politics at Harvard University; and Kimberley C. Patton, Professor of the Comparative and Historical Study of Religion at Harvard Divinity School, another friend and former classmate of Spar's.

Trustee and Chair Emerita Helene Kaplan '53 and Trustee Jolyne Caruso-FitzGerald '81 delivered the investiture. They presented Spar with the symbol of the Barnard Presidency, a medal fashioned of gold, bronze, and silver on a chain of pearls and lapis lazuli. The medal is inscribed with an image of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom; Barnard's motto, "Following the Way of Reason," in Greek; and the Latin phrase Me Gerit Praeses, "The President of Barnard College wears me."

Mary Gordon '71, acclaimed novelist, State Author of New York, and Millicent C. McIntosh Professor of English and Writing, spoke on behalf of the Barnard College faculty. She described walking through the gates of Barnard for the first time as a student, and feeling as though she was walking through the gates of heaven. "I think I might not have been wrong," Gordon reflected.

Sarah Besnoff '09 delivered greetings from the student body and Frances Sadler '72 pledged the "time, talents and treasure" of the Barnard Alumnae "to helping President Spar achieve the vision she has for the college." Phyllis Ben, an officer in the department of public safety, spoke on behalf of the Barnard staff. "I arrived at Barnard in 1962, might I add before you were born," she said to President Spar. "Why do you think I've stayed here so long? It's a lovely atmosphere to be in! It's mostly the students that I think about. I love them." Ben described her initial reaction to the news of a new president: "I asked Mary Gordon, a good friend of mine, is this a good thing for Barnard? And she said, 'Yes, it is.'"

For over one hundred years, Barnard has offered an outstanding liberal arts education to high-achieving young women whose curiosity, drive, and exuberance draw them to the remarkable intellectual community of New York City. Long known for the outstanding achievements of its graduates in the arts, in business, science, law, academia, and public service, the College is especially well known for creating Great Writers, including eight Pulitzer Prize winners. Notable alumnae include Margaret Mead '23, Zora Neale Hurston '28, Martha Stewart '63, Anna Quindlen '74, Cynthia Nixon '88, Joan Rivers '54, Twyla Tharp '63, Judith Kaye '58, Jhumpa Lahiri '89, and Suzanne Vega '81. President Spar's predecessors include Ellen Futter '71, President of the American Museum of Natural History, and Judith Shapiro, who completed fourteen years as president this year.

To read through Anna Quindlen's, Lee Bollinger's and Debora Spar's remarks, visit our Inauguration Remarks pages.