News and Events

News

A modern glass and brick building glows at dusk, situated on a lush green lawn surrounded by trees under a cloudy blue sky.

Vassar Institute Announces 2026–27 Signature Programs Focused on AI, Climate Action, Creativity, and More

The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts has just unveiled an intriguing array of public symposiums designed to engage students, faculty, distinguished guests, and the public in thought-provoking dialogue about today’s most difficult questions.

A joyful crowd of graduates in black robes throws their mortarboards into the air during an outdoor commencement ceremony.

At This Year’s Commencement, Filmmaker Noah Baumbach ’91 Reflected on Rejection, Uncertainty, and Resilience

Sharing a brutal rejection letter and hard-earned wisdom, Noah Baumbach joined student and campus leaders in celebrating a Vassar class shaped by pandemic disruption, creativity, and community care.

Twenty Years Later, The Devil Wears Prada Finds Its Audience Again

Meryl Streep ’71 and former Vassar student Anne Hathaway '04 reunite in The Devil Wears Prada 2, a global hit with unexpected Vassar ties to French winemaking.

Vassar Scholars Examine Why Scientific Findings Don’t Always Hold Up

Vassar cognitive scientists and students contributed to a sweeping international study published in Nature that examined the replicability of social and behavioral science research, shedding light on how bias, methodology, and scientific culture can shape published findings.

In the Media

The Powerhouse Theater at Vassar, which announced the details of its upcoming 40th season, was the subject of Chronogram and Theatermania articles.

President Elizabeth Bradley wrote an op-ed for USA Today about the crisis of confidence faced by students in American higher education.

The Archives and Special Collections Library at Vassar acquired a major collection of materials of Uncle Tom’s Cabin author Harriet Beecher Stowe, courtesy of Mary C. Schlosser ’52, as announced in Fine Books & Collections.

Several media outlets, including AP News and The New York Times, mentioned Meryl Streep ’71, who reprised her role in The Devil Wears Prada 2, which had the biggest opening weekend for a traditional comedy film in over a decade.

David DeSteno ’90 wrote a guest essay for The New York Times about the limitations of using religion to teach the chatbot Claude about morality and ethics.