Sara Wilford '72
Doctorate in Humane Letters, Honoris Causa
Sara Wilford '72 is the founder and was the first director of the Sarah Lawrence College Art of Teaching Program, which enrolled its first class in 1985. During her long and influential career at Sarah Lawrence, Wilford directed the Early Childhood Center for 21 years, served on the psychology faculty for three decades, and cofounded the Child Development Institute (CDI) in 1989. Wilford’s contributions to the community and the educational establishment at-large include experience as an early childhood and public elementary school teacher, the publication of books about childhood learning (Tough Topics: How to Use Books in Talking with Children about Life Issues and Problems; What You Need to Know When Your Child Is Learning to Read; and Nurturing Young Children’s Disposition to Learn), contributing to innumerable scholastic articles and texts, and serving frequently as a keynote speaker and workshop leader for seminars and conferences on early childhood education.
Barbara Bowman '50
Doctorate in Humane Letters, Honoris Causa
Barbara Bowman '50 celebrates 70 years since her graduation from Sarah Lawrence College. Dr. Bowman is a pioneer in her field of early childhood education and is the cofounder of the Erikson Institute, where she is also the Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development. Her research, which has focused on the importance of early education in childhood development, was the foundation for the federal Head Start program—an endeavor she played a pivotal role breathing life into and to whose success she continues to dedicate her career. From 2004 to 2012, Barbara served as chief officer for early childhood education for the Chicago Public Schools, and during the first term of former President Barack Obama she served as a consultant to the U.S. Secretary of Education.