Bard College Class of 1953 It’s our 65th reunion! March 6, 2018 May 25-27, 2018

Dear fellow alums:

Sixty-five years is often a lifetime. I can’t help thinking how fortunate we are to be celebrating this milestone at all, let alone to be looking back on the magnificent progress of Bard during that time. All alums that I know, without exception, cherish their years there and feel deeply indebted to have been nurtured with a freedom that was unique among colleges. None of us, however, could have imagined Bard growing into what it has become and that we would take such pride in being a member of that community.

The astonishing list of initiatives born under Leon’s leadership includes:

Bard Early Colleges Center for Civic Engagement Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts Bard Prison Initiative Hessel Museum of Art Bard Music Festival Smolny College of St. Petersburg State University Al-Quds Bard College in the West Bank American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan Bard College Berlin Language and Thinking Program Bard College Conservatory of Music Citizen Science Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts Levy Economics Institute Center for Curatorial Studies Bard Graduate Center Bard Center for Environmental Policy Bard MBA in Sustainability Bard Fiction Prize Master of Arts in Teaching Program Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities Longy School of Music of Bard College The Orchestra Now

And now, you guessed it, the pitch. These programs require money as does the financial aid that affords so many kids an opportunity that would otherwise be impossible. Another very important consideration this year, perhaps more than any other in our country’s history, is that we need to support the scientific method and the liberal tradition that is the essence of Bard. As we look back, and forward, I hope you are able to dig deeper this year in gratitude for our experience and to help sustain these programs.

Providing a legacy for Bard in your estate plan is also very meaningful to the College.

Sincerely, Roger Phillips

On behalf of fellow 1953 Reunion Committee members, Bob Amsterdam, Naomi Feldman, and Maurice Richter

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