October 18, 2022 - POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Vassar College’s campus was “ringing” with sounds of cheers and bells as hundreds of alums converged at the Hudson Valley school for the launch of the College’s $500 million, five-year capital campaign.

Fearlessly Consequential: A Campaign for Our Collective Future, is the largest such campaign in the College’s history. The Campaign will help support the role of Vassar as a leader in the liberal arts and sustain its position as one of the most diverse and inclusive colleges in the United States, as it raises funds to ensure that the next generation can access the educational resources needed to contribute meaningfully to the world.

“With the complexities facing society today, critical-, and creative-thinking skills have never been more important,” said Anthony J. Friscia, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Vassar Class of ’78. “This campaign will ensure that Vassar can continue to provide the highest quality liberal arts education in a diverse and inclusive setting and also help shape the best liberal arts education of our time.”

The campaign will concentrate on four consequential pillars: 

• The Power of Liberal Arts – by investing in faculty, students, and curriculum, Vassar will continue to cultivate a community of scholars, a spirit of belonging, and an innovative edge;
• The Campus Community – a vibrant campus life is a hallmark of Vassar, and the campaign will further support health/wellness and residential spaces while fostering collective individualism;
• Vassar in the World – collaboration and cross-cultural dialogue in the face of increased polarization, authentic community engagement, and action against climate change are just a few of the ways Vassar will tackle the challenges of today’s world;
• A Campaign for All – this comprehensive campaign will help foster a better future, one in which alums and donors will have an immediate impact as well as leave a lasting legacy for the future.

“We remain intrepid in our commitment to the College’s original mission to make accessible a thorough, balanced liberal arts education–and to promote equity, inclusion, and engaged pluralism,” said Elizabeth H. Bradley, President of Vassar College.  “With this campaign, we will secure a multitude of opportunities for faculty and students to ensure that Vassar remains a leading liberal arts institution that continues to inspire and embolden future generations.”

In announcing the Fearlessly Consequential Campaign, Vassar hosted a weekend of panel discussions, performances, receptions, and tours. The weekend culminated with a livestreamed announcement event in which campaign leaders on-stage initiated a crescendoing wave of bell-ringing celebrations that continued with students tolling the giant bell atop Main Building and then with a ringing of bells by alums across the globe, including those in India, Ghana, and the UK. The festivities were viewed on two giant LED screens flanking the program stage.

The Fearlessly Consequential Comprehensive Campaign Co-Chairs:

• Katrine “Cage” Ames ’69
• Katherine “Gig” Babson, Jr. ’69
• Jason Blum ’91
• Leslie Jackson Chihuly ’83
• Brian Farkas ’10
• Stephanie Hyacinth ’84
• Elias Kim ‘16
• Carol Ostrow ’77, P’09, P’15
• Cynthia M. Patton ’83

Vassar College­—located in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley—is an independent, coeducational, residential liberal arts college that fosters intellectual openness and lively exploration through its widely varied course offerings. Founded in 1861 to offer women a fully equivalent education to that of the best men’s colleges of the period, Vassar became the first women’s college in the nation to expand its mission to coeducation by opening its doors to men in 1969. Today’s students, who meet each other as equals, are encouraged to develop diverse perspectives by engaging in lively dialogues with faculty and fellow students, which enables them to achieve the insight and confidence needed to function most creatively in today’s complex world. Consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country, Vassar continues to be renowned for pioneering achievements in education, and for the beauty of its campus in Poughkeepsie, New York.

About Vassar College

Vassar College—based in Poughkeepsie, New York—is a coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college where perspectives cross, ideas intersect, and passion burns bright. Originally founded to provide women an education equal to that once available only to men, Vassar was the first all-women’s college in the nation to become coeducational when it opened its doors to men in 1969. Vassar fosters an intellectual openness and independence in students, who meet each other as equals, and are encouraged to absorb diverse thought and impassioned dialogue that give them the insight and confidence they will need in a complex world where they will make important contributions. Consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country, Vassar is renowned for pioneering achievements in education, for its long history of curricular innovation, and for the beauty of its campus.

Vassar College strives to make its events, performances, and facilities accessible to all. Individuals with disabilities requiring special accommodations must contact the Office of Campus Activities at least 48 hours in advance of an event, Mondays–Fridays, at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available. Detailed information about accessibility to specific campus facilities can be found on the Accessibility and Educational Opportunity website.

The Vassar campus is located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Press Contact

Larry Hertz, lahertz@vassar.edu, 845-518-3098, 845-437-7938 (Vassar College)