The college on a hilltop rang in the new school year at Riverside Church this past Tuesday afternoon.

On Tuesday afternoon, Barnard first-years, sophomores, and faculty gathered in Riverside Church for Convocation 2021. This event is meant to ring in the new year and welcome the brand-new class (the Barnard babies, if you will) to campus. Its return to in-person proceedings this semester, after an online ceremony in the year prior, opened the celebration up to Barnard’s classes of 2024 and 2025, although upperclassmen and parents were still only able to tune in via livestream. 

Following a cheery few minutes of Barnard faculty traipsing down the church’s middle aisle, accompanied by a classical tune that did not ring a bell, but did tap into these Bwoggers dusty piano expertise, Ann Sacher (BC ’85) of the Board of Trustees kicked off convocation. She began by welcoming everyone, giving a particular shoutout to the class of 2025, much to the dismay of the free-t-shirt-less sophomores victimized by online convocation in their first year. What struck these Bwoggers the most—in the midst of her inspiration-filled speech—and what should therefore strike all of you, dear readers, is the close relationship she must have with one Karlie Kloss. Yes, that Karlie Kloss: the Karlie Looking-Camp-Straight-In-The-Eye, Coding Queen, Kushner Kloss. (This iconic Barnard board member’s ruby red Met Gala ensemble will be stuck in these Bwoggers’ heads for the rest of time.)

Next, speeches were given by President of the Alumnae Association and Trustee Amy Veltman (BC ‘89), Provost and Dean of Faculty Linda A. Bell, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and Head of the Pandemic Response Team Cynthia Yang (BC ‘02), SGA President Emily Ndiokho (BC ‘22), Dean Leslie Grinage, and President Sian Beilock. Their speeches evoked a fervid excitement for the year to come within the crowd. After, students Mary LeSeur (BC ‘22) and Melinda Samaratunga (BC ‘22) recited the honor code—a short, but meaningful way to introduce new students to the paragraph they will always skip when skimming syllabi.

Convocation’s historic location, and the ever-present excitement that trails the first-years as they discover Barnard, also imbued the event with resounding joy. There existed a celebratory tone of once again gathering in person that each speaker called upon. For Columbia University Professor of Psychology Nim Tottenham BC ’96, the Convocation’s keynote speaker, this excitement was particularly present. Professor Tottenham encouraged, albeit cautiously due to the continued presence of COVID-19, the audience to engage in two, specific activities while at Barnard; Professor Tottenham advised students to say “Yes, and” when new opportunities emerge—a lesson she learned when (unsuccessfully, according to her speech) taking part in improv comedy at Barnard—and to participate in synaptic overproduction (a big, women-in-STEM phrase that these Bwoggers only barely recalled, but refers to molding one’s brain via trying new experiences).

After ceremoniously deeming Professor Tottenham a “badass,” President Beilock announced the Barnard Year of Science, a yearlong focus on the work of Barnard’s science department. President Beilock spoke about how she is looking forward to a year of uplifting the sciences, as a woman in the field herself. To that, we cheer! Here’s to a solid 365 days of growing brains, 3D printing, and the countless other innovations that Barnard’s science-minded students and faculty work on each day! 

Riverside Church via Bwog Staff