Spar to Travel from East Coast To Far East

As Barnard strives to amp up its international profile, President Debora Spar is learning how to say “ni-hao.”

In a trend that aligns with Columbia’s much heralded mission to become a global university, Barnard has recently launched a slew of initiatives to further connect with the world outside its gates. These plans came to the fore last spring when Hilary Link took on the newly created position of Assistant Provost and Dean for International Programs, and Gretchen Young was appointed Dean for Study Abroad in Link’s stead. For her part, Spar stressed in her inauguration speech that she prioritized internationalization—including a larger flow of students to and from foreign countries—and made good on her word by visiting England shortly thereafter.

In March, Spar will once again pack her suitcases and travel to another end of the globe to tour China—a trip which will occur in close timing to the launch of Columbia’s Beijing research center.

The journey centers on Spar’s role as moderator of Barnard’s first symposium in China. Entitled “Women Changing China,” the event will honor the legacy of Kang Tongbi, BC 1909, Barnard’s first Chinese student and a feminist advocate known for railing against the tradition of foot-binding. The symposium will be sponsored by Paul Hastings, and will feature panelists renowned in China such as English professor and women’s advocate Wu Qing, novelist Yan Geling, Chinese-American filmmaker Ruby Yang, and talk show host Yang Lan—whom Spar called “China’s Oprah.”

“The China event exploded out of nowhere,” Spar said. “We’re doing it on a shoestring.”

In fact, a memo from the Admissions office spawned the planning of the symposium. Barnard’s application asks for several mini-essays, one of which inspired a prospective student to write about Tongbi. Admissions Dean Jennifer Fondiller did not recognize the name, and upon research, learned about Tongbi’s advocacy and time at Barnard. She sent a note to Spar’s office about the essay, and the trip’s plans were set in motion—the applicant was added to the list of accepted students, as well.

Tongbi received an associate’s degree in journalism from Barnard in 1909. According to the symposium’s Web site, Tongbi was a media darling when she arrived in America. Around the time she was finishing her studies at Barnard, the site lists, she was quoted in the New York Evening Mail as saying, “When I finish here, I am going back to China to wake up my countrywomen. I am deeply interested in suffrage, and hope to arouse the women of China to a realization of their rights.”

After graduation, Tongbi returned to China to pursue her feminist agenda. She edited and wrote for one of the country’s first women’s publications. According to the Web site, Tongbi “followed the inspiration of her father, political reformist Kang Youwei, and helped to eliminate the traditional practice of foot-binding in China.”

She banded with other women to establish Tianzuhui, the “Natural Feet Society,” to help end the practice of foot-binding and enable women to be physically active. Further information on the symposium is available at barnard.edu/womenchangingchina.

Aside from the symposium, Spar is using the trip as a research and recruiting venture. Spar will meet alumnae of Seven Sister schools in China, and will have a fundraising meeting with Hong Kong’s Barnard alumnae. She will also meet with headmasters of high schools in the country, and will end her trip with a visit to Seoul.

Joy Resmovits can be reached at joy.resmovits@columbiaspectator.com.

APPENDED: The names of some panelists were previously misspelled.