Class Agents at the Grass Roots

Barnard’s Class Agent peer-to-peer fundraising program now boasts nearly 300 volunteers, some of whom have been volunteering for decades. The program continues to grow every year as more alumnae join their classmates to ensure that Barnard students receive the support they need to achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams.

Every dollar raised by Barnard’s Class Agents goes directly to the Barnard Annual Fund, which funds financial aid, vital resources like the Peer Mentoring and Laptop Loan programs, college necessities that students can’t afford, and so much more. Class Agent volunteers are key to successful fundraising at Barnard — their efforts provide essential support for our talented students, world-class faculty, and uniquely collaborative, inclusive community.

Barnard’s Class Agent program is open to anyone who wants to become involved, and individual schedules can be accommodated. Volunteers are invited to participate in any of our four fundraising initiatives throughout the year, on a schedule that works best for them. This program provides a wonderful opportunity for alumnae to build relationships with their classmates as they connect over a shared goal — supporting the next generation of Barnard women.

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Florence Federman Mann ’55

My favorite aspect of my Barnard experience is having the opportunity, as both a student and as an alumna, to participate in a very special learning experience with very special, highly motivated women. I give back and volunteer because the Barnard community needs and values our support and because I love to participate alongside my fellow Class of 1955 alumnae.

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Courtney Greene Tomaselli ’98

My Barnard alumna experience has been rich and rewarding, but I think my most positive Barnard memories still are my academic explorations, largely related to my undergraduate theatre and dance studies. Financial aid made Barnard possible for me, and volunteering as a Class Agent is a simple way that I can give back. Contributing to the fulfillment of Barnard’s mission is personally rewarding and restorative. I also love connecting with former classmates and helping them have the positive experience of making a difference for Barnard!

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Hayley Peterson ’12

The financial aid I received as a student made it possible for me to go to Barnard, and I hope to help make it possible for future students to go to Barnard. I love knowing that I am part of a community of alumnae who also want to make Barnard accessible to as many students as possible. I really enjoy reaching out to my classmates and having the chance to connect with those I haven’t kept in touch with — and I love connecting with Class Agents from across generations.

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Marina Metalios ’85

Barnard provided me with a sisterhood while on campus and during all my years as an alumna. I am proud to be a Barnard grad and would like to provide the chance to attend to students for whom it would be a financial challenge. Being a Class Agent allows me to work together with my classmates and stay connected over the years. I was an undergrad for four years but will be an alumna forever — of course I stay involved!

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Amy Morris Hess ’68

Meeting interesting and exciting women who believe they can do anything — and plan to try — was my favorite thing about being a student, and it continues as an alumna. This is one of the neatest aspects of our Class Agent Zoom sessions. The representatives of the Class of 1968 are as enthusiastic and creative as the members of the Class of 2023! I give back and volunteer to ensure Barnard continues to provide young women with the amazing educational experience I had. I always feel that I have accomplished something important when one of my classmates gives a small amount and knows that her contribution matters.

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Julia Betancourt ’21

Barnard was both an incredibly grounding experience and a dream. My Barnard experience helped me to discover who I was and to see myself in a new way. Contributing to the Barnard Annual Fund helps to keep that dream alive and to make it a reality for future generations of bold, beautiful Barnard women. I became a Class Agent because I wanted to become more involved in the Barnard community and to support Barnard’s mission. I love that being a Class Agent allows me to reach out to friends and classmates. Seeing the names of people I haven’t heard from in a while pop up in my campaign lists encourages me to send follow-up messages to them on social media and helps to keep the Barnard spirit alive.

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Suzanne Levinson Samelson ’72

Being a student at Barnard was the best! We had access to wonderful and caring faculty across many disciplines, and I forged lifelong friendships with classmates. I feel that giving to the Annual Fund is important to sustaining what Barnard does, and I am committed to a strong liberal arts education for women. When Barnard expanded its Class Agent program, I wanted to be a part of the fundraisin team. It feels great to be a part of a team, and I enjoy the Zoom meetings, both the ones across all classes and ones that are just our ’72 Class Agents. I feel very connected to the College even though I live 2,000 miles away.

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Bettina Blake ’52

As a Barnard student, I loved serving in student government. In my senior year, as president of the student body, I had the extraordinary opportunity to routinely meet with [Barnard president] Millicent McIntosh. When I became a Class Agent after my 45th Reunion, I knew it would be a challenge to fundraise from our majority commuter class. The ’52 and You newsletter was then created to build a fondness for the College and a sense of belonging for our class. It worked, and we raised the funds necessary to receive a plaque in the Alumnae Courtyard. Being a Class Agent keeps me in touch with classmates.

Would you like to join the Barnard Class Agent team? Please contact:
Sally Vallimarescu
Executive Director, Individual Giving
svallima@barnard.edu
212-853-8318