Redefining
Wellness

Since its inception, the Fearlessly Consequential campaign has prioritized the health and wellness of Vassar students. Thanks to the generosity of alums and parents who recognize the critical importance of mental and physical well-being, Vassar has over $3 million in campaign commitments slated for this priority and has launched new programs while continuing to plan innovative initiatives to support students. Here are just a few of the gifts alums and parents have established to support this important part of campus life:

Dr. Louise M. Conley ’57 is committed to mental health initiatives, stemming from her experience as a math teacher in the 1970s. Inspired by a talented but anxious student, she recognized that addressing mental health challenges is essential for students’ well-being.

Established in honor of her mother, Clara Cheney McCarthy, Class of 1921, the fund helps cover co-pays and deductibles for intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and other mental health services, enabling students to fully engage in their learning and personal growth. “My theory is that feeling self-confident maximizes your learning ability so you can reach your full potential,” Conley said.

Created in honor of their 35th reunion, the Class of 1989 Emergency Health Fund is a crucial resource for students facing unexpected health challenges. This fund offers financial assistance to students who cannot afford professional mental health services or other emergency health assistance.

One of the classmates who contributed to the fund shared their motivation for being a part of this effort, saying, “As an alum who utilized mental health services in graduate school and as a parent who has a daughter utilizing mental health services in high school, I recognized the need to have mental health services for undergraduates. When my classmates reached out about supporting this fund, it immediately resonated with me, and it was a cause I could get behind and enthusiastically support.”

Trustee Leslie Jackson Chihuly ’83 champions health and wellness at Vassar, highlighted by her transformative 2022 gift. The Leslie J. Chihuly ’83 Health and Wellness Fund provides for health and wellness initiatives including programming, workshops, and student support.

Chihuly spoke at the Seattle Fearlessly Consequential campaign celebration, emphasizing the need for better mental health support. Chihuly noted, “There was a dearth of mental health services when I was [at Vassar], and there was a stigma that prevented any real discussion of the issue. We have to be more proactive about this.”

In 2023, Dr. Paul Frank ’91 made a significant endowed gift to Vassar’s health and wellness program, reflecting his belief in the importance of self-care. The fund helps to support a variety of wellness-related initiatives, including increased staffing for front-line health services, funding for outside experts such as nutritionists, and wellness instruction like yoga classes in the residential houses. Additionally, it supports workshops and other programs designed to provide students with tools to lead healthier lives. Frank hopes the endowment will help students take care of themselves so they can find success like he did. “Anything that contributes to the well-being of the students’ mental health is certainly going to help their education and make sure they get the experience that they went to Vassar for.”

Made possible by anonymous Vassar parents, this fund was established to sustain an integrated community culture that values healthy life practices, a “whole-of-campus” approach in which resources are placed to be as accessible as possible and still efficient in their use of space and staff. It also supports the creation of community spaces within the residential houses designed to encourage social and physical well-being.

The generosity of these and other Vassar alums and parents has helped create a robust health and wellness network of on-campus resources. Their gifts, along with the ongoing efforts of the College, demonstrate the Vassar community’s commitment to student well-being on campus and beyond.