Barnard Inaugurates New President

Barnard College officially inaugurated its ninth president, Laura Ann Rosenbury, on Friday. The ceremony featured a wide variety of speakers and attendees, including faculty, alumnae, trustees, city and state officials, special guests, and Columbia President Minouche Shafik.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to President Rosenbury on this momentous occasion,” said President Shafik, who joined Columbia in 2023. “The relationship between Barnard and Columbia is singular and special, a mutually enriching partnership that allows both of our institutions to thrive. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Laura as we navigate our first years as presidents, and I look forward with great anticipation to all that is to come.”

The inauguration officially kicked off at the historic Riverside Church near campus.

Laura Rosenbury began her tenure as Barnard’s president on June 12, 2023. Prior to that, she served for eight years as dean and Levin, Mabie & Levin Professor of Law at University of Florida Levin College of Law. Previous roles included professor of law and vice dean at Washington University School of Law. She also has served as a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, Stanford Law School, and University of Chicago Law School.

President Rosenbury, who was introduced by Nalini P. Kotamraju, her first-year roommate at Harvard-Radcliffe College, shared her vision for Barnard in her inaugural address by reminding the audience of what makes Barnard special — its bold ability and commitment to meet and solve tough challenges, regardless of the time period.  She then discussed her priorities, which fell into five distinct points: build communities of care; reimagine our infrastructure; embrace OneBarnard; lead into the future; and grow our resources.

Rosenbury announced a new College funding goal in the next 10 years — a $1 billion endowment.

Barnard is a private women’s liberal arts college that is part of Columbia University. The college had 3,223 undergraduate students enrolled in Fall 2023.