Dear Members of the Barnard Community,
The Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being has been offering programming to support our community’s physical, mental, and financial well-being since June, 2023. I am now very pleased to share that all members of the Barnard community will be able to enjoy the Center’s beautiful new space on the first and ground floors of Barnard Hall starting tomorrow, Wednesday, October 30.
Serving all Barnard students, faculty, and staff, this renovated space in Barnard Hall will support three integrated pillars of health and wellness: physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Although the design of the space preserves the original architecture of the historic building, the changes are comprehensive, including a gorgeous 4,000-square-foot fitness facility, state-of-the-art spaces for financial fluency and mental well-being, and the transformation of the former swimming pool into the 225-seat Ethel S. LeFrak ’41 and Samuel J. LeFrak Theatre, which will serve as a multi-use community space for performances, classes, and other gatherings. The Center will also be home to the Wellness Spot, the College’s peer health-education program, and our Being Barnard violence-prevention program.
In addition to the students working as an integral part of these programs, the Francine LeFrak Center student ambassadors have been working hard to let their peers know about the Center’s programming and its integrated, 360-degree approach to our community’s well-being. The ambassadors are now excited to introduce the Center’s amazing new space to everyone.
The Center’s fitness center will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, and the rest of the space will be open at 9 a.m. You may see the Center’s general hours here, and you may stop by at any time the Center is open.
You are also invited to join us for the new space’s first celebration on Wednesday night, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The night will feature music and food, and ambassadors and staff will offer tours of the space and describe current and future programming.
Many thanks to Francine A. LeFrak, the lead supporter of the Francine LeFrak Center, who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to empowering women and girls. I would also like to thank our Health & Wellness, Capital Projects, and Development teams for all of their efforts in conceptualizing the Center and its space and bringing the project to completion. The Francine LeFrak Center will set the standard for well-being in higher education, fostering resilience and promoting lifelong success. We can’t wait to see the entire Barnard community enjoying this new space!
Very truly yours,
Laura Ann Rosenbury
President, Barnard College