Barnard College
History
Barnard College was founded in 1889 as a women's college affiliated with Columbia University. The college was named after Frederick A.P. Barnard, a deaf educator and mathematician who served as the tenth president of Columbia. Despite his advocacy for the education of women, Barnard himself never lived to see the college named in his honor. The college was initially led by Ella Weed, who supervised the college's first classes of 14 students and acted as the de facto president until the appointment of Emily James Smith in 1894.
Academics
Barnard College offers Bachelor of Arts degree programs in about 50 areas of study. Students may also pursue elements of their education at Columbia University, the Juilliard School, and the Jewish Theological Seminary, among other academic institutions in New York City. The academic centers at Barnard are the Athena Center for Leadership Studies, the Barnard Center for Research on Women, the Center for Engaged Pedagogy, and the Cheryl and Philip Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning.
Campus
The Barnard campus is located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The campus covers four city blocks and includes 12 academic, athletic, and residential buildings. The most notable of these is the Milstein Center, a 128,000 square foot building that houses the Barnard Library and Academic Information Services, as well as numerous academic departments.
Student life
Barnard students have access to the resources of Columbia University, including its library system, dining halls, and campus-wide events. Students also participate in the larger university's athletic program, the Columbia Lions. Barnard students can also participate in over 50 cultural, athletic, and special interest clubs on campus.
Notable alumni
Barnard College has produced numerous notable alumni in various fields. These include individuals such as writer Zora Neale Hurston, anthropologist Margaret Mead, and activist Masha Gessen. Other notable alumni include actress Cynthia Nixon and journalist Anna Quindlen.