Barnard’s gates filled with more than 800 enthusiastic visitors on Friday, Oct. 17, as the College kicked off its annual Family Weekend. The two-day celebration gives students the opportunity to welcome their loved ones to campus for a peek of life at Barnard.
Guests were invited to explore a collegiate day-in-the-life through various on-campus offerings, from observing dance classes like flamenco and Afro-Cuban dance, to attending breakout sessions with class deans Erica Siegel, Mary Laurita, and Rebecca Grabiner.
Participants could also sit in on various lectures given by Barnard professors. “It’s great to get to know how best to support my daughter. I’ve already gotten to sit in on a lecture — [Professor Colin Wayne Leach’s] ‘Show Some Emotion.’ It was very helpful,” said parent Brenda Chen.
Campus buzzed with chatter and activity as hundreds of Barnard family members moved from one opportunity to the next, immersing themselves in their students’ vibrant educational environment.
“It’s so exciting to be in the middle of New York City, but then to have a safe space [at Barnard] — kind of like a cocoon of women,” said Cara Houle, mother of first-year Isabelle Houle ‘29. Isabelle enjoyed showing both her mother and younger sister around her new campus.
“It’s so great to share the fun things that I do with them,” Isabelle Houle said, as her family took a quick reprieve from the busy day of events.
Visitors explored concurrent open houses at various popular campus spots. Some stopped by the Design Center to create a custom pin while others journeyed to the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being to learn about financial fluency workshops and fitness programs. Some guests, like Cara DiMassa P’29, chose to visit the Arthur Ross Greenhouse, opting for a rare walk through nature amid the urban backdrop of New York City.
“It’s so fun to connect and understand why she loves this school so much,” said DiMassa, who added that she felt the campus felt “nurturing and purposeful” for her daughter, Giuliana Nelson.
For parents who had specific questions in mind — the student services resource fair on Futter Field allowed them to connect with Barnard staff from various departments such as Access Barnard, Beyond Barnard, and Residential Life and Housing.
President Laura Ann Rosenbury spoke directly to parents at the beginning of the weekend, and opened the floor for any pressing questions.
“It's such an honor to lead this community of care — a community that is rooted in the core principles of academic excellence, inclusion, and respect,” Rosebury said. “We know that you entrusted us with your students, your daughters, granddaughters, and nieces because you want something really special for them. You want them to grow, not just as thinkers — but as people — while they're here.”
On Saturday, guests returned for more activities — a picturesque autumn day enjoying cider and donuts at the Fall Festival, faculty spotlights from Anne Higonnet, Barbara Novak Professor of Art History, and Professor Jonathan Keller, a discussion with Beyond Barnard on lifelong career support, and more.
The weekend of campus and university events included the opportunity to attend an evening theatrical performance and the Columbia athletics homecoming games, and concluded on Sunday.
Families said they departed campus with a newfound — or rejuvenated — sense of Barnard pride that will carry on long after Family Weekend ends.