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Vassar Retrospectives

Alumnae/i share their memories of Vassar

From reflections on President Henry Noble MacCracken to leading Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE), alumnae/i always take away their own unique stories from the College. Click here for a complete list. Full story

Scholarships a founding commitment

Financial aid dependent on alumnae/i, friends of College

A year ago, Vassar was forced to take steps to reduce spending to a sustainable level in light of the economy, which among other things resulted in 13 employees receiving layoff notices.

Votes for women finds tough audience at Vassar College

Many alumnae participate in the struggle for women's suffrage

In a November 1864 letter, Matthew Vassar expressed the hope that his women's college would cause "it [to] be forgotten that there ever was a debate as to the extent of the powers of the female world in any direction."

Vassar opens to speculation in the press

The media, in its various forms, has been attempting to define Vassar since it opened its doors to students in 1865.

Vassar turns 100

1961 Centennial Celebration draws Vassar and Poughkeepsie crowds

While today marks the start of the College's Sesquicentennial Celebration, the College is by no means a stranger to hosting birthday celebrations.

Sesquicentennial features

Active at Vassar »

Manage, delegate, lead: Success begins at Vassar

Alumnae/i draw from extracurricular experience

Geraldine Laybourne founded Oxygen Media Network, sold to NBC Universal in 2007 for $925 million.

Debate team faced gender-based prejudice

The Prospectus of the Vassar Female College states: "Oratory and debate (whether public or private) are not feminine accomplishments and there will be nothing in the College arrangements to encourage the practice of them."

Student government gains autonomy gradually, over time

The seeds of self-governance were sown in 1865 when the student body asked that the faculty not attend an all-student meeting.

Vassar athletics always on the cutting edge

When Vassar College was founded in 1861, baseball was just over 15 years old, the predecessor to American Football was a year away from its creation and basketball's founder, Dr. James Naismith, was still 10 months from being born.

The College »

Admissions strategy adapts to changing applicant pools

Beginning with just over 300 well-to-do women in 1865, the profile of students admitted to Vassar College has changed drastically over the past 150 years.

Professors engaged by curious students

Vassar College has seen hundreds of professors come and go since its inception in 1861. Some have visited for a couple of years while others have stayed on for decades.

Scholarships a founding commitment

Financial aid dependent on alumnae/i, friends of College

A year ago, Vassar was forced to take steps to reduce spending to a sustainable level in light of the economy, which among other things resulted in 13 employees receiving layoff notices.

Vassar Arts »

Art collection a mainstay at College since its founding

Vassar's art collection has served for many years as the backbone behind both the Studio Art and Art History Departments.

From informal beginnings, Vassar theater takes off

The vibrancy of Vassar's theater community is self-evident.

Elizabeth Bishop ’34 starts literary career at Vassar

By the end of her life, Bishop had published six volumes of poetry and was well known amongst her fellow writers as, according to the acclaimed poet John Ashbery, "a writer's writer's writer."

Student Life »

Vassar plugs in: One technology at a time

Most students at Vassar College in 2010 neglect the small white boxes featuring a menagerie of shaped holes for technological plug-ins that come affixed to each dorm room's wall.

‘Vassar Farm’ a piece of history, more than just a farm

Across Route 376 lies Vassar Farm, an important part of Vassar College since 1904.

Some Sesqui Humor »

Humor and Satire | A tercentennial address from President Okun-Bieber

Welcome, students and faculty members, friends and family, to Vassar College's tercentennial celebration!

Humor and Satire | Sesqualendar: 1/2011 - 6/2011

Friday, 1/21 Vassar and the Liberal Arts: Then and Now 4:30 p.m. Reception and opening. The appetizers will be Fair Trade organic vegan mini-quiches (lunch food + breakfast food = multi-disciplinary) from some country where your roommate got wasted during her Junior Year Abroad.

Humor and Satire | Gems from Vassar’s rejection pile

Sesquicentennial events that didn’t fly

150 Beers for 150 Years What: Beer-themed day to celebrate Matthew Vassar's legacy as a brewer, featuring Vassar favorites like PBR, Blue Moon, and the ubiquitous-yet-dubious Natty Ice. Reason for rejection: No existing Vassar-brand beer means too much expense, and potential lawsuits create too much of a financial risk for the college.