Gathering of Alumnae Leaders

View pictures from Leadership Assembly 2009

Leadership Assembly 2009 began Thursday, October 8 with a reception to welcome alumnae leaders from across the country, representing seven decades of Barnard women. Frances Sadler '72, President of the Alumnae Association, welcomed the delegates. Before heading off to dinner, the assembled volunteers watched a rousing video edited by Mary Ann LoFrumento '77, Vice President of the Alumnae Association, highlighting recent events at Barnard.



Following the reception, the delegates divided into three groups (Class Leaders, Class Fundraising Leaders, and Regional Club Leaders) for dinner. Over dinner, alumnae form the classes of 1942-2009 shared their experiences with volunteers with similar roles from different classes and regions. These conversations enabled the delegates to identify effective strategies to use in their Barnard volunteer efforts.

At breakfast Friday morning, Erin Fredrick '01, Director of Alumnae Affairs, addressed the delegates and thanked them for their great work on behalf of Barnard. Dean Dorothy Denburg '70 moderated a panel featuring four current students.

Download video of student panel (launches iTunes) or watch below.


After learning about the richness of student life, the alumnae were excited to hear from Professor of Art History, Anne Higonnet. Professor Higonnet discussed her innovative new seminar focused on the collections of the Frick.

Download video of Professor Anne Higonnet's talk (launches iTunes) or watch below.


Greg Brown, Chief Operating Officer, and Bobbi Mark, Vice President for Development and Alumnae Affairs, then presented the delegates with an overview of Barnard's financial situation and the importance of fundraising.

Download video of Barnard's Financial Picture (launches iTunes) or watch below.


Over a lunch of maple-glazed salmon and butternut squash orzo, Merri Rosenberg '78 introduced alumnae to President Debora L. Spar and Kathryn Kolbert, Director of the Athena Center for Leadership Studies.

Download video of Debora Spar's and Kathryn Kolbert's remarks (launches iTunes) or watch below.


During the afternoon, alumnae delegates were able to attend a variety of sessions focused on distinct aspects of the Barnard experience. The Admissions Update provided an overview of the admissions process and information about the Class of 2013. In the Alumnae Network Tutorial, alumnae learned how to use the features of the new online community. Many went on a student-guide lead Campus Tour to see recent changes to the spaces around campus. Career Development hosted an Open House and showed the delegates how they assist students and alumnae with professional development. Lisa Gamsu, the Vice President for Administration, offered alumnae a virtual sneak-peak at Barnard's newest addition—the Diana Center—slated to open in February 2010. Others were treated to a tour of Barnard's science labs conducted by Christian Rojas, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry.

Leadership Assembly 2009 concluded with a festive reception Friday afternoon. Frances Sadler '72 exhorted the attendees to both share what they had learned at Leadership Assembly with their fellow class officers and club leaders, and to encourage their classmates to attend Barnard events and become more involved as alumnae volunteers.

Many thanks to Merri Rosenberg '78 and the entire Leadership Assembly Committee for their exceptional work creating the program for Leadership Assembly 2009.

Leadership Assembly Committee
Merri Rosenberg ’78, Chairperson
Frances Sadler ’72, Alumnae Association President
Barbi Appelquist ’98
Ejima Baker ’02
Rhoda Berley ’57
Carol Herman Cohen ’59
Monica Dobie ’00
Sheena Gordon ’05
Mary Ann LoFrumento ’77
Florence Mann ’55
Maria Pignataro Nielsen ’82
Nancy Polevoy ’66
Linda Sweet ’63
Beth Wightman ’87