President Laura Ann Rosenbury, Remarks As Delivered

These three medalists embody the very best of lives well lived. They are amazing women and alumnae of Barnard.

Day in and day out, these three women have moved forward with curiosity, creativity, precision, focus, flexibility, tenacity, and passion.

And, graduates, they all once sat where you sit now.

Today, you graduate from the best women’s college in the nation and one of the very best liberal arts colleges in the world. But Barnard is more than a college. And you are more than graduates.

We are a lifelong community. Of leaders. Of trailblazers. Of people who don’t wait for the world to change but — like our medalists — work each and every day to create the world they want to see.

And that isn’t easy. But, as you know by now, and it’s clear today, Barnard isn’t easy. Barnard asks for more. More curiosity. More courage. More creativity.

Today is a sacred rite of passage, a time to celebrate the hard work of each and every one of our graduates and also to honor the sacrifices, the many sacrifices, of your parents, family members, and loved ones who supported you along the way. Please join me in recognizing their sacrifice and thanking them for their support.

And to you, the graduates:

You showed up during a pandemic. You stayed focused. You did the hard work. And you made us very proud. 
As you can see, you also confronted challenges that no syllabus could guide you through. But even in the hardest moments, you honored Barnard’s values of respect, inclusion, and academic excellence.

And now, you join a long line of graduates who lead, who build, and break barriers, in every field you can name and in many that are still being created. And that’s not a coincidence. That’s Barnard. We do more than educate students. We launch them.

And remember: You are not leaving our community today. You are carrying it forward.

Our community doesn’t fade. It strengthens.

And in moments of change or uncertainty, we’ll be here no matter what. To push you. To raise you up. And to remind you that you belong in every room — especially those rooms that were not made for you. We are ready — truly ready — to see what you do next.

So, Class of 2025, go forth boldly. Take up the work that only you can do. And never forget:

You may leave Barnard. But Barnard never leaves you.

Congratulations.