Endowment
Building a robust endowment will provide enduring support for the preservation and enrichment of the Sarah Lawrence educational program. The College was founded without an endowment, and although over the years we have built a modest one, our endowment is the lowest among our peers. The chart below compares Sarah Lawrence's present endowment on a per student basis with other colleges and plainly points up the need.
Currently over 80% of our operating expenses depend on tuition and fees—a burden which puts too much pressure on our tuition structure. In building our endowment now, we lay the groundwork for the future financial stability of the College.
A Comparison of Peer
Endowments, 2006–2007
| College | Endowment Per Student |
|---|---|
| Smith College | $439,305 |
| Bryn Mawr College | $423,231 |
| Northwestern University | $397,390 |
| Vassar College | $362,739 |
| Reed College | $326,670 |
| Oberlin College | $289,512 |
| Brown University | $350,226 |
| Wesleyan University | $234,587 |
| Barnard College | $89,470 |
| New York University | $62,053 |
| Sarah Lawrence College | $43,526 |
Source: 2006 NACUBO Endowment Study
Tying Four Generations to Sarah Lawrence
For an institution just 80 years old, having four generations of a single family involved in its history and growth is no small feat. For the family of Faith Whitney Ziesing ’32, the roots of their engagement with Sarah Lawrence run deep.
Supporting Service Learning
For Anita Stafford CCE '78, volunteering has been a lifelong passion—originating in her high school days, when she volunteered once a week at Lenox Hill Hospital, and continuing today with her work for the Indian River Symphonic Association in Florida. A former Sarah Lawrence trustee, Stafford is also dedicated to Sarah Lawrence and its unique educational system.
Vera Wang '71 addresses Class of 2013; photos, videos, media clips available on Commencement site