NEW YORK, November 1, 2024 — Barnard College is pleased to share that the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being opened on October 30 and is available for use by Barnard students, faculty, and staff.
The Francine LeFrak Center, which is the first of its kind and truly innovative in higher education, offers holistic support across three key pillars of health and wellness — physical, mental, and financial well-being — to foster resilience and promote lifelong success. While it is common to address mental and physical well-being on college campuses, incorporating financial well-being early in students’ careers addresses a key element of well-being that contributes to improving the mental and physical aspects of wellness.
The integrated, 360-degree approach provides educational programming focused on financial well-being alongside programming that supports physical and mental health in a state-of-the-art facility. A key goal is to promote confidence in understanding debt, budgeting, saving, and investing through targeted, inclusive financial workshops and programs.
“Setting the standard for well-being in higher education, the Francine LeFrak Center will greatly benefit our students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Marina Catallozzi, vice president of health and wellness and chief health officer. “Having a one-stop shop that meets all these needs communicates the importance of holistic well-being.”
Plans for the Francine LeFrak Center were announced on October 22, 2020. There are currently seven Barnard students serving as LeFrak Ambassadors who help plan the content for educational workshops and provide logistical support for events, which includes a financial fluency pilot program. While programming to support the Barnard community’s physical, mental, and financial well-being has been happening since June 2023, the opening of the new space provides a home for it in the heart of campus.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Francine LeFrak Center’s incredible journey!” gushed psychology major and LeFrak Ambassador Amrita Singh ’26. “This center is more than just a space; it’s a dynamic resource that empowers students to prioritize their physical, mental, and financial well-being. As an ambassador, I’m excited to help create an environment where students can explore new ways to take charge of their wellness and thrive both personally and academically.”
Using a framework that is inclusive of all members of the community and beyond, the Francine LeFrak Center will address the key dimensions of financial fluency and the tools to propel success. It will host speakers and events and will offer the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Financial Leadership and Fluency Certificate. Programs, speakers, and panels are designed to be responsive to the community’s needs in terms of financial well-being — ranging from budgeting to investing — and Barnard students will engage in personal, annual goal-setting with a choice of financial well-being offerings. The eight-week certificate program is offered in the fall and spring semesters, and plans for a follow-up (Level 2) certificate that will build on these foundational concepts are in development. A four-week intensive session that is tailored to graduating seniors was also recently implemented.
“I am so excited for the Barnard community to be able to enjoy the Francine LeFrak Center’s amazing new space,” said President Laura Rosenbury. “We are all deeply grateful for the generous gift from the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation that allowed the center to come to fruition.”
While the design preserves the original architecture of the historic building, the changes to the lower level and first floor of Barnard Hall are comprehensive, including a 4,000-square-foot fitness facility, state-of-the-art spaces for financial fluency and well-being programs, and the transformation of the former swimming pool into the 225-seat Ethel S. LeFrak ’41 and Samuel J. LeFrak Theatre. In addition, the center will provide dedicated space for a number of mental health and well-being programs, such as the Wellness Spot, Barnard’s peer well-being program, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary; Being Barnard, the College’s sexual violence education, prevention, and outreach program; and the Denise LeFrak Alcohol and Substance Awareness program.
“I am thrilled to see the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being, a place close to my heart, open its doors to the Barnard community,” said Francine A. LeFrak. “The center’s innovative approach to physical, mental, and financial well-being will equip women with the tools to excel during their time at Barnard and throughout their lives. This center represents my heartfelt commitment to building women’s confidence, independence, and financial freedom.”
Francine LeFrak and the LeFrak family are longtime members and supporters of the Barnard community; Francine’s mother, Ethel Stone LeFrak, graduated from Barnard in 1941 and served as a trustee for many years.
“Everyone on campus deserves to be well, and we are investing in programming and resources that support well-being for our entire community,” said April Autry, executive director of the Francine LeFrak Center.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kathryn Gerlach
212.854.8037
mediarelations@barnard.edu
Mission
Through a multidimensional approach, the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being sets the standard for wellness in higher education. Open to the entire Barnard community, the Francine LeFrak Center offers holistic support across key dimensions of health and wellness — physical, mental, and financial — to foster resilience and promote lifelong success.
About the Three Integrated Pillars:
Mental Well-Being
Signature programming created by the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being team amplifies the importance of holistic well-being, particularly with programming to address key mental health issues, especially for girls and women. The center will provide a space for students, faculty, and alumnae to build community at Barnard.
Physical Well-Being
The Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being will set a new standard for well-being in higher education — and education at all levels and in all settings — by applying a wide lens that includes multiple dimensions of well-being in its programming. This includes programs to
promote physical movement and learning about topics of wellness from experts in our community. The center will house a dance studio and state-of-the-art fitness center that will be available to all Barnard community members.
Financial Well-Being
Using a framework that is inclusive of all members of the community and beyond, the
Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being will address the key dimensions of financial fluency and the tools to propel success. The Center will host speakers and events and will offer the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Financial Leadership and Fluency Certificate, recognizing students for their commitment to financial fluency and well-being.
About Barnard
Barnard provides a singular educational experience, as a world-renowned college focused on excellence across the arts and sciences, with all the academic resources of Columbia University and the City of New York as an extended classroom. Founded in 1889, Barnard was one of the few colleges in the nation where women could receive the same rigorous and challenging education available to men. Today, Barnard is one of the most selective academic institutions in the country and remains devoted to empowering extraordinary women to become even more exceptional. For more information on Barnard College, contact Barnard Media Relations at 212-854-2037 or mediarelations@barnard.edu.
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