April 29

Good morning! Last week, I met several newly admitted students and their parents at the Scholarship Dinner, and their excitement and enthusiasm was palpable. It was wonderful. Some of you may not have made up your minds yet, and while I can't offer you advice, maybe I can offer reassurance.

Clearly, all of you are bright, motivated and talented in many, many areas. You are leaders. Your teachers and mentors recognize in you the shimmer of promise, something that as one gets older feeds one's hope for our world and our future. You have reached this point through hard, hard work, some sacrifice, maybe a little luck-- and by following your ambition, whether that ambition is specific ("I want to be a neurosurgeon") or more general ("I want to find out what I want and where I fit in this world").

Don't worry. Whatever you choose, you'll be fine. All of the things that have gotten you to this point are part of you and you will succeed.

So, why Barnard? Let me go back to that dinner last week. When you spend any time at all in the presence of Barnard women, Barnard faculty, Barnard administrators, you come away in awe (yes, really, truly) of the love they have for the College and of the ferocious loyalty they have to one another. Barnard students and alumnae engage in this world knowing that they are part of a community of excellence and pride, that their education was not simply an individual endeavor, but the product of a sisterhood of striving and encouragement. You will become your best you and you'll graduate as a member of another family--the Barnard family--that will always be there for you. And when you know that you have that kind of support, you will take chances and you will dare to do great things, whether it be in the professional world or in your personal life.

My best wishes to you all.