For more than a century, Barnard has evolved and added to its rich heritage with popular events that center students, the surrounding Morningside Heights community, and of course, food.
Check out the 13 examples below that have withstood time, garnered media attention, and continue to connect generations of Barnard women to one another.
New Student Orientation Program (NSOP)
There’s no feeling like taking the first steps through Barnard’s gates as a new student. Every year, NSOP welcomes first-year and transfer students by introducing them to the plethora of resources available during their time at Barnard and Columbia University. The hustle-and-bustle-filled week centers on Move-In Day and includes craft nights, movie screenings, and outings around New York City.
The Green Sale
Barnard’s most successful effort to build a circular campus is easily the Green Sale. What began as a student-run program grew into an annual event in 2018, hosted by the Office of Sustainability. Through the Give and Go Green program, students donate unwanted dorm decor and storage, school supplies and textbooks, clothing, microwaves, and mini fridges. At the Green Sale, held annually during NSOP, students can purchase these gently used items at a reduced price. In 2023, the College collected 24,804 pounds of items and was highlighted in the media for its efforts.
Convocation
The College’s most enduring tradition, Convocation marks the beginning of the academic year and celebrates new and returning students, who dress in color-coded T-shirts that signify their class years.
A procession of administration and alumnae, dressed in collegiate regalia, opens the ceremony at Riverside Church, and a block party with food trucks and a DJ concludes the celebration on campus. Each year, an esteemed alumna delivers a keynote speech to excited students. Past speakers include Emmy Award-winning producer Sheila Nevins ’60, Pulitzer Prize-winning news anchor and reporter Maria Hinojosa ’84, and Herminia Palacio ’83, president and CEO of the Guttmacher Institute.
Big Sub
A huge chain of sandwiches that takes over campus is Barnard’s tastiest tradition. Hosted by the McIntosh Activities Council (McAC) each fall since 2000, Big Sub gathers the community together to feast. The origin of this custom might be up for debate, but Barnard foodies are always and undoubtedly left satisfied. Even the media is intrigued! In 2023, all extra sandwiches were donated to HEP’s Morningside Heights community fridge.
Millie’s Thanksgiving Homestay
Barnard’s tight-knit community is made up of a network of students, alumnae, faculty, and staff who support one another — especially around the holidays. Through Millie’s Thanksgiving Homestay Program, generous alumnae volunteers are paired with students who remain in the City for the holiday. In this way, students are surrounded by their Barnard family even when they are far from home.
Four School Tree Lighting
Since 1998, the College has celebrated the start of the holiday season with the annual tree-lighting ceremony on Columbia’s College Walk. Barnard’s Student Government Association (SGA) works with three of Columbia’s undergraduate student councils to host an evening that includes warm treats, a capella performances, holiday cheer, and twinkling trees to create an illuminated, winter wonderland walkway.
Honey Extraction Day
To make the December holiday season even sweeter, faculty and student volunteers from the Biology Department have, for a decade, extracted excess honey produced by the Barnard honey bees. The colonies are cared for at the Snow Lab — led by Jonathan Snow, assistant professor of biological sciences — and the honey they produce is bottled and gifted to friends of the bees across the College.
Inauguration
Over Barnard’s 135-year history, eight women have been officially inaugurated and held the title “President of Barnard College.”
While Inauguration events have varied over the decades, celebratory energy across the College has never wavered. Held at Riverside Church, Inauguration invites the entire Barnard community to honor the new leadership. The first time a new president received the President’s Chain of Office — an insignia of the office and gift from the Board of Trustees — was in 1976. This February 2, President Laura Rosenbury, Barnard’s newest leader, will have the chain placed around her neck for the time when she’s inaugurated as the College’s ninth president.
Athena Film Festival
Barnard is committed to empowering women across its robust community, and the extremely popular Athena Film Festival (AFF), held on campus every year, is just one example of that mission in action. Taking place during the start of Women’s History Month (March), AFF showcases films that center stories of strong women leaders. Since the festival’s founding in 2011, 90% of the films screened at AFF were directed by women or nonbinary individuals.
Senior Toast
Bittersweet is often used to describe the range of feelings rushing through seniors as they experience their many college “lasts.” As they prepare for their future beyond the gates, seniors partake in an evening toast, hosted by members of the administration and faculty, to celebrate the graduating class. Excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Commencement resound over clinking glasses, while seniors reflect on their time at Barnard.
Midnight Breakfast
Each semester, on the night before finals, throughout the campus, students can be found studying and dining. Barnard staff and administration stay late on campus and serve breakfast to hardworking students. This is a favorite tradition of breakfast lovers who might need time to relax or to sing off the stress of finals with some karaoke.
Commencement
It’s the day that seniors spend four years working toward. For Commencement, campus is filled with balloons, blue caps and gowns, and pride for the graduating class as they head to the iconic Radio City Music Hall to toss their mortarboards. Before they cross the stage to receive their diplomas, a keynote speaker addresses the audience with inspiring advice. Past speakers have included President Barack Obama, soccer star Abby Wambach, thespian Viola Davis, author Margot Lee Shetterly, and actor/writer/producer Lena Waithe.
Reunion
Every summer, Barnard invites alumnae back home to reconnect and reminisce at Reunion. Attendees party with old friends and visit new or updated locations at the College. To conclude the weekend-long celebration, the Alumnae Association honors extraordinary alumnae with five awards: the Award for Distinction, the Barnard Bold Award, the Award for Service to Barnard, the Millicent Carey McIntosh Award for Feminism, and the Young Alum Award.
