Minouche Shafik’s Remarks

Minouche Shafik, President, Columbia University
February 2, 2024

Thank you so much for that incredibly kind introduction. And it is such an honor to be here this afternoon with all of you to celebrate, formally, the inauguration of Barnard’s ninth president, Laura Ann Rosenbury. 

I want to take a moment for us to recognize everyone in the room: my fellow speakers, the students, faculty, staff, trustees, and alumnae, and many friends who are here today. President Rosenbury — Laura — please accept my deepest congratulations on behalf of the entire Columbia community. Barnard and Columbia are both fortunate to have you.

The relationship between Columbia and Barnard, the mutually enriching partnership that allows both of our institutions to thrive, is very special. Barnard was created in 1889 because of Columbia’s failure to admit women, despite the best efforts of its 10th president, Frederick Barnard. Look how far we have come. A hundred and thirty-five years later, we are affiliates, partners with distinct identities, unique strengths, and led by two women. 

Colombia benefits immeasurably from this relationship. Our undergraduates take advantage of the rich array of curricular and extracurricular experiences here. Your undergraduates take classes, they play sports, they join clubs, and live and work with our students, including the odd demonstration, bringing their singularly wonderful Barnard energy and talents to all that they do. 

The same holds for our faculty. They find teaching and research capabilities complemented by their distinguished colleagues on the other side of Broadway. I hope you agree that Barnard benefits from its unique relationship with Columbia and that your students, faculty, staff, and alumnae also profit tremendously from what we have to offer. 

And our alumni, in turn, are proud to count some of the most celebrated women in the world as partners and friends. I thought it would be fitting to quote some of those Barnard women that may be relevant to Laura’s inauguration today. And I’ll start with the great writer of the Harlem Renaissance, Zora Neale Hurston, who was mentioned earlier. Zora Neale Hurston once said, “Sometimes I feel discriminated against. But it doesn’t make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can anyone deny themselves the pleasure of my company?”

 And from the pioneering anthropologist Margaret Mead, who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” And so, Laura, you have such a proud tradition of confidence as seen as pride and ambition in Barnard. And I wish you all the best for your presidency, as you build on that great tradition to take Barnard further forward in the future. Congratulations