Don’t be surprised if you start to see MIB (Men in Black) doing security sweeps on Barnard’s campus. No, they are not here to protect Sarah Jessica Parker at Liz’s Place, nor are they here to keep Oprah and Gloria Steinem safe from enthusiastic, and cheering crowds. On May 14th, President Obama will be at Barnard’s 2012 commencement to address our senior class.
As many of you know, Jill Abramson, executive editor of the New York Times, was supposed to be the keynote speaker, but has gracefully deferred to the Commander-in-chief. I’m sure you are all wondering how this all came to be. Perhaps that is a question of logistics better suited to be answered by the White House. However, are we all really surprised? It was just a matter of time before Barnard, the nation’s premier women’s college would be awarded this incredibly special honor.
After all, our college has been the nucleus of female activism and leadership for nearly 125 years.
President Debora Spar, the 7th president of our beloved college and one who we all revere sat down with Her Campus Barnard to say a few words about the exciting news:
Her Campus Barnard: How do you think President Obama’s presence on campus will affect Barnard’s image in the community and on a larger scale?
President Spar: I’m sure this will be a wonderful moment for the College. It’s rare to have a president on campus, and to have President Obama at Barnard, in an election year, speaking on issues of women’s leadership, will clearly draw great attention to who we are and what we do.
HC Barnard: Which issues during his address do you hope he touches upon?
President Spar: I will obviously leave it to the president to talk about whatever he chooses! But it would be wonderful to hear his thoughts on women’s leadership, on opportunities for women’s empowerment and girls’ education, on the particular challenges that face poor women around the world, and on the current debates over access to contraception and reproductive health.
Barnard has had a roster of impressive speakers including Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg, New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg, acclaimed actress and Oscar winner Meryl Streep, and Obama’s Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. However, it’s clear to us that this commencement address will be a particularly defining moment for the College. We can only hope that President Obama will see the magic that is Barnard and who knows, maybe Malia will be equally inspired and apply to be in BC Class of 2020?