Reconnecting, reminiscing, and looking to the future of Vassar.
Since launching the Fearlessly Consequential campaign in October, alums, families, and friends of the College have come together in various cities from coast to coast to Celebrate Vassar. The events, which have so far been held in Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and New York City, have reconnected over 2,200 members of the Vassar community. Each has provided a space to reminisce, learn more about the $500 million campaign, and get excited about empowering the next generation of Vassar students.
Here are a few highlights from the most recent celebrations. You’ll find upcoming Celebrate Vassar events at campaign.vassar.edu/events.
LOS ANGELES, THE ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES
In late April, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures offered alums and friends the opportunity to mingle while enjoying cocktails on the museum’s Wilshire Terrace and dinner in its Tea Room. Hosted and emceed by Jason Blum ’91, Founder and CEO of the film production company Blumhouse and a trustee of the College, the evening began with President Elizabeth H. Bradley addressing the exuberant crowd. She was followed by Student Philanthropy Council Co-President Dhriti Seth ’24 and Professor Mia Mask who joined Wesley Dixon, Special Assistant to President Bradley and Board Secretary at Vassar, for a live, mini-rendition of Conversations @ the Salt Line, a podcast that Dixon hosts.
WASHINGTON, DC, THE REACH AT THE KENNEDY CENTER
In early May, the fantastic weather made the riverside backdrop of the center’s River Pavilion and Presidential Grove the perfect location for alums and friends of the College to enjoy cocktails and conversation. A string quartet took the stage, and guests moved on to dinner in the Skylight Pavilion. The event, hosted by Natalie Nixon ’91, along with Kat Mills ’93 and Alfonzo Lopez ’92, began with an address from President Bradley. Following the President’s address, Dixon hosted a conversation between Robert Brigham P’23, the newly appointed Faculty Director of the Institute for the Liberal Arts and Professor of History on the Shirley Ecker Boskey Chair, and Ella Pearl ’23, whom Brigham had advised on her senior thesis.
NEW YORK CITY, MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Shortly following the Washington, DC, event, 1,000 alums and friends of the College came together at the MoMA in New York City. It was the largest gathering of any Celebrate Vassar event to date. Hosted by Carol Ostrow ’77, the evening began in the Sculpture Garden where attendees enjoyed cocktails and music performed by the Hudson Horns. The band paraded through the garden, into the atrium, and came to a stop on the stage before Board of Trustees Chair Anthony Friscia ’78 and Ostrow welcomed the attendees and introduced President Bradley. Amitava Kumar, Professor of English on the Helen D. Lockwood Chair, then spoke about the power of a liberal arts education and student Marissa Desir ’25 took center stage reading a work of poetry, followed by remarks by Campaign Co-Chair and Board of Trustee member Brian Farkas ’09. Ostrow and President Bradley closed the festivities with a toast to Vassar, its alums, friends, and future of the College.
UPCOMING CELEBRATE VASSAR EVENTS
In the fall, the College will be hosting five more events, continuing its efforts to bring alums and friends together to celebrate Vassar.
Celebrate Vassar events are an excellent opportunity to reconnect with friends, make new connections, and learn more about Vassar’s latest efforts, including the monumental Fearlessly Consequential campaign.
Learn more about the campaign as well as upcoming Celebrate Vassar events, including how and when to register, by visiting campaign.vassar.edu.