Mission

The mission of Project Continuum is to bring together Barnard alumnae ages 50 and over, and to promote dialogue around the diverse personal and professional issues they face. This affinity group is committed to providing resources, support, and information on subjects affecting their intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being; as well as providing opportunities for cultural and social activities and promoting alumnae engagement.

History

Launched in 2004, Project Continuum grew out of the Alumnae Association of Barnard College’s recognition of the singular needs of this segment of its alumnae community. The innovative initiative is unique among its peer institutions, and was acknowledged in 2007 by CASE, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, with a Gold Award in Alumni Relations Programming and a Silver Award in Leadership in Alumni Relations.

Programming

The Project Continuum volunteer alumnae committee is chaired by Joan Jankell ‘58, and meets throughout the year to plan events.

The 2011/2012 program year included tours of the Jewish Museum’s Cone Sisters exhibit, the Bard Center’s Hats exhibit, the Islamic Galleries at the Metropolitan Museum; a reprise of the popular intergenerational Lunar New Year Banquet; the Classic Stage Company’s presentation of The Cherry Orchard; and two Twilight Lectures featuring Barnard faculty: Nan Rothschild on Exploring Central Park’s Seneca Village and Deborah Valenze speaking on her book Milk – A Local and Global History. This past year, Project Continuum also launched a pilot oral history project with the goal of capturing personal stories of alumnae who attended Barnard in the 1940s, and ended the year by presenting a panel discussion during Reunion entitled Living Well, Aging Well.

For 2012/2013, the committee is planning an active roster of events and stimulating presentations relevant to their interests and challenges. Following a sold-out tour of the Monet exhibit in July at the New York Botanical Garden, upcoming events include A Century of Wisdom by Caroline Stoessinger ’58 on September 13 and a tour of the Barnes Foundation on September 30.

Refer to the calendar of events for current offerings and registration information.

Staff contact: Susan A. Seigle ’67 at sseigle@barnard.edu or 212.854.3649.

“First you’re young, then you’re middle-aged, then you’re wonderful.” -- Alice Roosevelt Longworth