Donor support ensures Bard’s unique place as an institution of excellence that serves as a center for and a model of cultural creation, debate, service, and political exchange among citizens of the future, one that is dominated not by commerce and a narrow definition of utility, but by a love of learning.
Directed, filmed, and edited by Masha Zabara '21
Thanks from Bard
Directed, filmed, and edited by Masha Zabara ’21
Why Give?
For more than a century and a half, donor support has helped Bard College change lives with discoveries that improve the world, with knowledge that enlightens and inspires, and with an educational environment that prepares students for lives of impact.
Your Gift Supports:
100% of Students
100% of Faculty and Staff
100% of Classrooms
100% of Facilities
Your Gift Supports:
100% of Students
100% of Faculty and Staff
100% of Classrooms
100% of Facilities
Photo by Chris Kayden
Faculty at the Top of Their Fields
Members of the Bard faculty inspire our students in the classroom. They are thought leaders investigating the most critical questions in their fields. Bard faculty awards and honors have included: the French Legion of Honor, GRAMMY awards, Guggenheim Fellowships, Kennedy Center Honors, MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, the National Book Award, National Science Foundation Grants, the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prizes, Rhodes Scholarships, the Royal Society of Literature, and Tony awards.
Photo by Pete Mauney ’93 MFA ’00
State-of-the-Art Science Facilities
Students taking courses in science, mathematics, and computing at Bard have use of exceptional facilities and the latest equipment. The Reem-Kayden Center for Science and Computation features seven smart classrooms and nearly 17,000 square feet of laboratory space with state-of-the-art biology and chemistry equipment. The computer science space includes cognitive systems, robotics, and hardware teaching labs.
Photo by Chris Kayden
Excellence in the Arts
At Bard, students get the best of both worlds: an excellent liberal arts education and one of the finest arts schools in the country. Arts students study and work with active, distinguished professionals in their fields. All of the arts programs unite a study of craft with history, theory, and criticism. From the Frank Gehry–designed Fisher Center for the Performing Arts to the László Z. Bitó '60 Conservatory Building, world-class facilities support top-level artistic training in the context of a liberal arts education.
Photo by Karl Rabe
Bard College Fund | Financial Aid
The availability of financial support can considerably enhance the educational experiences and opportunities for many talented students who might otherwise be unable to access higher education. One way the Bard College Fund supports Bard students is through scholarships, awards, and prizes, which help enable them to pursue their academic and professional dreams without the burden of financial constraints. This aid reduces their economic pressures and fosters an environment of inclusivity and diversity within Bard's campus. Bard is continually grateful for the generous contributions from its donors, as each donation plays a significant role in sustaining Bard's successes. Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a significant difference in the lives of students.
NEWSROOM
Bard College Hosts Annual Margaret and John Bard Society Luncheon
“It’s a time to connect, share stories, and inspire each other with the legacy of support helping fulfill Bard's mission,” said Vice President for Development and Alumni/ae Affairs Debra Pemstein.
Bard College Hosts Annual Margaret and John Bard Society Luncheon
2024 Annual Margaret and John Bard Society Luncheon. Photo by Patrick Arias
“This special annual gathering celebrates the generous alumni/ae, family, and friends who have chosen to support Bard through planned giving. Their commitment and philanthropy play a vital role in shaping the future of Bard College, ensuring that Bard can continue to provide a transformative education for generations to come. It’s a time to connect, share stories, and inspire each other with the legacy of support helping fulfill Bard's mission,” said Vice President for Development and Alumni/ae Affairs Debra Pemstein.
Post Date: 12-10-2024
Bard College Celebrates Student Excellence at Annual Scholarship Reception
“We are pleased to recognize this year’s Bard Scholars, who represent the very best of what we are and what we do.” — Dean of Studies David Shein
Bard College Celebrates Student Excellence at Annual Scholarship Reception
2024 Annual Scholarship Reception. Photo by Karl Rabe
“We are pleased to recognize this year’s Bard Scholars, who represent the very best of what we are and what we do,” said Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Studies David Shein. “These students, who were selected by their faculty and deans in recognition of their contributions in the classroom and to the campus community, have demonstrated not only excellence in their work but deep care and commitment to that work and to the life of the College. We are proud of them and look forward to seeing what they will do next.”
Many of the named scholarships are made possible by generous contributions from Bard donors. Thank you to all supporters for believing in the value of a college education, and for investing in the future of Bard students.
Further reading:
Learn More about Postgraduate Scholarships and Fellowships through Bard's Dean of Studies Office
Learn More about Scholarships, Prizes, and Awards at Bard
Post Date: 11-15-2024
More News
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Bard Professor Felicia Keesing Receives Award From American Society of Mammalogists
Bard Professor Felicia Keesing Receives Award From American Society of Mammalogists
Felicia Keesing, the David and Rosalie Rose Distinguished Professor of Science, Mathematics, and Computing at Bard College, is the recipient of the 2024 C. Hart Merriam Award from the American Society of Mammalogists. The award, given to eminent scholars in recognition of outstanding research in the study of mammals over a period of at least 10 years, honors Keesing for her scholarly contributions to the fields of disease ecology and community ecology, all while keeping the role of mammals in ecological processes front and center. As recipient, Keesing is invited to address the Society in a plenary session at the 2025 annual meeting, as well as to prepare a manuscript for publication in the Journal of Mammalogy.Felicia Keesing, David and Rosalie Rose Distinguished Professor of Science, Mathematics, and Computing at Bard College.
Post Date: 09-11-2024
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Bard Professor Antonios Kontos Awarded $351,951 Grant from the National Science Foundation
Bard Professor Antonios Kontos Awarded $351,951 Grant from the National Science Foundation
Antonios Kontos, associate professor and director of physics at Bard College, has been awarded a research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Kontos’ proposal, titled “Stray Light Control for Cosmic Explorer,” has been awarded a total of $351,951 in funding over a period of three years, which will also cover student salaries, travel, and equipment.Antonios Kontos, associate professor and director of physics at Bard College.
“Try to imagine a telescope that can hear every collision between two stars in the universe. That is what we are creating with the Cosmic Explorer detector,” said Kontos. “This award will allow students at Bard the opportunity to contribute to this remarkable project over the next three years.”
Gravitational-wave astronomy, a subfield of astronomy focusing on the detection and study of gravitational waves emitted by astrophysical sources, has now opened a new window to the universe, which—along with conventional telescopes—significantly broadens our understanding of astrophysics and cosmology. The Cosmic Explorer project is a concept for a next-generation gravitational-wave observatory in the US, which will enable the detection of nearly every black-hole collision in the observable universe. The NSF award will allow a team of scientists and engineers to produce this initial conceptual design, and to develop technologies to facilitate the eventual realization of the Cosmic Explorer. The project will be undertaken in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology, which received a separate grant for the initiative.
The NSF is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and US territories. It was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the nation’s health, prosperity and welfare, and to secure the US national defense. Its investments account for about 25% of federal support to US colleges and universities for research driven by curiosity and discovery. NSF aims to keep the US at the leading edge of discovery in science and engineering, to the benefit of all, without barriers to participation.
Post Date: 09-10-2024
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Bard College Awarded $68,445 NEH Digital Humanities Advancement Grant for the Center for Experimental Humanities
Bard College Awarded $68,445 NEH Digital Humanities Advancement Grant for the Center for Experimental Humanities
Bard College is pleased to announce that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded a $68,445 grant in support of the Center for Experimental Humanities (EH) at Bard. The grant will support Solar-Powering the Humanities: Archiving for the Future, a new initiative by EH to creatively re-envision archives and the reliance of small institutions on external data storage providers. The project will redesign and migrate EH’s current digital archive, currently hosted on Amazon web services, to a “solar server” that the center will design, prototype and self-host.L-R: Krista Caballero, codirector of Experimental Humanities and artist in residence (photo by Terry Roethlein); and Susan Merriam, codirector of Experimental Humanities and associate professor of art history and visual culture.
“Experimental Humanities at Bard College is grateful to receive funding from National Endowment for the Humanities to support the creation of a solar-powered server to host our extensive archives,” said Krista Caballero and Susan Merriam, codirectors of EH. “This project is important because recent research is clear that the environmental cost of our digital infrastructures is enormous; the Cloud has a greater carbon footprint than the airline industry. Solar-Powering the Humanities: Archiving for the Future emerged out of conversations regarding ways EH might incubate projects that explicitly address this ecological crisis. A collaboration among faculty in Computer Science, Physics, and the Arts as well as students, and staff, our designs will be made available so that other institutions can reimagine their archives to be self-sustaining and environmentally responsible.”
Bard’s Experimental Humanities is an interdisciplinary center for experimentation with digital, analog, and conceptual methods of learning, research, and public engagement. EH works with media and technology from across historical periods, and is committed to the notion that embracing experimental approaches is essential to fostering practices that are inclusive for all learners and transformative for the societies in which we live. To learn more, visit https://eh.bard.edu/.
The team includes project co-directors Krista Caballero, co-director of the Center for Experimental Humanities and artist in residence; Valerie Barr, Margaret Hamilton Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and director of the Bard Network Computing Initiative; Beate Liepert, visiting professor in physics and environmental studies and director of environmental studies; Susan Merriam, co-director of the Center for Experimental Humanities and associate professor of art history and visual culture; as well as Misha Awad, developer for digital arts and humanities at the Center for Experimental Humanities; Sean Maguire, systems administrator in information technology; and Anna Hallett Gutierrez, project coordinator at the Center for Experimental Humanities.
Post Date: 09-09-2024
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Bard Professor Heeryoon Shin Awarded $5,500 Fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council
Bard Professor Heeryoon Shin Awarded $5,500 Fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council
Heeryoon Shin, assistant professor of art history and visual culture at Bard College, has been awarded an individual fellowship of $5,500 from the Asian Cultural Council in support of a new project in India. Shin’s research will focus on investigating the localized reception of blue-and-white ceramics in colonial India, and examine the innovative architectural reuse of Chinese, Dutch, and British ceramics in Indian interiors. Blue-and-white ceramics incorporated into palace interiors have been seen as derivative imitations of European practices of collecting and displaying ceramics, or have often been considered too foreign to be part of the narrative of India’s national art history. Shin’s project aims to reframe these historical spaces as sites of multilayered cultural exchanges facilitated by the creativity of Indian patrons and artists—and to ultimately contribute to the decolonization of global art history by emphasizing the Indian agency and initiative in ceramic practices and histories.Heeryoon Shin, assistant professor of art history and visual culture.
Post Date: 09-03-2024
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Wihanble S’a Center at Bard College Receives $500,000 Grant and Named NEH Humanities Research Center on Artificial Intelligence
Wihanble S’a Center at Bard College Receives $500,000 Grant and Named NEH Humanities Research Center on Artificial Intelligence
Bard College is pleased to announce that the Wihanble S’a Center for Indigenous AI, directed by Dr. Suzanne Kite, distinguished artist in residence and assistant professor of American and Indigenous Studies, has been designated as a Humanities Research Center on AI by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This prestigious recognition will confer a $500,000 grant in support of the Center, and position Wihanble S’a at the forefront of innovative research that integrates Indigenous Knowledge systems with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.Suzanne Kite MFA ’18, director of the Wihanble S’a Center for Indigenous AI.
Beginning in Fall 2024, the Wihanble S’a Center will embark on groundbreaking research aimed at developing ethical AI frameworks deeply rooted in Indigenous methodologies. The Center’s mission is to explore and address the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI through an Indigenous lens, ensuring that AI technologies reflect diverse perspectives and contribute positively to society.
“This award is a tremendous honor and a recognition of the importance of American Indian perspectives in the rapidly evolving fields of AI,” said Dr. Kite, who is an award-winning Oglála Lakȟóta artist and academic, and Bard MFA ’18 alum. “Our goal is to develop ethical methodologies for systems grounded in Indigenous knowledge, offering new guidelines and models through collaboration between Indigenous scholars and AI researchers, challenging the predominantly Western approach to AI. Wihanble S’a (WEE hah blay SAH) means dreamer in Lakota, and we are dreaming of an abundant future.”
The NEH designation will support the Center’s initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated facility on Bard College’s Massena Campus. This facility will serve as a collaborative hub, bringing together scholars from across diverse academic disciplines—including computer science, cognitive and neuroscience, linguistics, ethics, and Indigenous Studies—to engage in interdisciplinary research and educational activities.
In addition to research, the Center will host public events, workshops, and an interdisciplinary Fellowship and Visiting Scholars program, all aimed at advancing the field of Indigenous-informed AI. The Center’s work will complement the recruitment and support of Indigenous students ongoing at Bard’s Center for Indigenous Studies, enhancing Bard College’s commitment to being a leader in Indigenous studies in the United States as well as complementing Dr. Kite’s work with the international Abundant Intelligences Indigenous AI research program. Wihanble S’a Center’s designation as an NEH Humanities Research Center on AI underscores Bard College’s dedication to fostering innovative, socially responsible research that bridges the humanities and technological advancements.
Post Date: 08-28-2024
Endowment Challenge
George Soros and the Open Society Foundations have pledged $500 million for Bard’s unrestricted endowment.
This pledge ranks among the largest commitments to higher education in the United States in recent memory.
The pledge has challenged Bard to raise an additional $500 million over five years for its endowment. In April 2021, the College publicly announced that the first half of that amount, $250 million, was raised from trustees, alumni/ae, and friends, all of whom have made their own pledges due to their belief in Bard’s distinctive mission.
The pledge has challenged Bard to raise an additional $500 million over five years for its endowment. In April 2021, the College publicly announced that the first half of that amount, $250 million, was raised from trustees, alumni/ae, and friends, all of whom have made their own pledges due to their belief in Bard’s distinctive mission.