Past Events

Photo of a group of individuals involved in the 1969 Main Takeover at the top. The logo of Vassar College Africana Studies features a chair, two swords, and an outline of the African continent. Text for the event reads: “From October 30 to November 1, 1969, Vassar’s Main Building was taken over and occupied by thirty-four Black female students. Join us for an event on Tuesday, November 7th, at 5:30 pm in the OLB Common Space as Africana Studies students reflect on issues concerning Africana Studies today."

From October 30 to November 1, 1969, Vassar’s Main Building was taken over and occupied by thirty-four Black female students. They demanded the creation of a program awarding a major in Black Studies. Far from being an isolated event, the takeover was part of a nationwide wave of student-organized sit-ins and protests to expand the boundaries of college and university curricula.

decorative.
Nov. 4, 2023, 11:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Presentation on the history of classical Arabic scripts like Thuluth and Naskh. Students will have a chance to practice Arabic letter art with reed pens during the workshop.

women singing in a chorus
Nov. 4, 2023, 8:00 p.m.

Christine Howlett, Conductor

This is an in-person event that will also be streamed live

Adult and child crouching and below a painting on the wall while looking at. The adult is pointing at the painting.
Nov. 4, 2023, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.

Join a free fun-filled afternoon of art for all ages, exploring the current exhibitions Silver Linings: Celebrating the Spelman Art Collection and Interwoven Histories: Prints by the Gee's Bend Quilting Collective.

A childlike drawing of houses, a road, the sun, and one fluffy cloud.

Deadline: Monday, November 27, 2023

The Frances D. Fergusson Good Neighbors Partnerships Program is looking to support projects building partnerships between Vassar and the Poughkeepsie community during the spring semester. 

Campus community only, please.

Close-up photo of a woman against a black background
Nov. 3, 2023, 8:00 p.m.

Duo recital by two artists who have appeared together for decades. Peter Wiley, cello, and Anna Polonsky, piano. Free and open to the public.

Three musicians playing instruments in the Bridge Building.
Nov. 2, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

A 20–30 minute lunchtime recital series by members of the Vassar College Chamber Music Program in a relaxed atmosphere outside the Bridge Cafe.

Black and white photo of Amber Starks aka Melanin Mvskoke wearing a striped shirt and long, dangle earrings.

A radical, dynamic, and engaging conversation with Amber Starks about Black and Native solidarity and kinship as Black, Native, and Afro-Indigenous kin move from survivance to thrivance and futurity.

Portrait of Daniel S. Hamermesh
Nov. 2, 2023, 5:00 p.m.

The Martin H. Crego Lecture in Economics featuring Daniel S. Hamermesh, Sue Killam Professor Emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin and Professor Emeritus, Royal Holloway University of London.

Campus community only, please.

Portrait of Peter M. Todd
Nov. 2, 2023, 5:00 p.m.

How do we decide when to search for something better and when to stick with what we’ve got? A lecture by Peter M. Todd, Provost Professor of Cognitive Science, Psychology, and Informatics at Indiana University.

A collage artwork that gives an overhead view of a public plaza with trees and a fountain.

A tidbit from Vassar’s architectural history became the genesis for this artist’s exploration of digital technology, fitness and productivity culture, the merging of private with public spaces, and more.