Leon Botstein was recruited to lead Bard College in 1975 with the goal of transforming the institution into a top-flight liberal arts college. Under his leadership, Bard College has become known for delivering high-quality liberal arts education to underserved communities, including through its Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) which provides college-level education to incarcerated individuals. Additionally, the college has established campuses in Central Europe, engaged with refugee communities, and created pre-college programs in inner cities.

Botstein believes that a liberal arts education should provide students with a broad range of knowledge and skills, rather than solely focusing on a specific discipline or career path. According to Botstein, a liberal arts education should encourage students to think critically, be creative, and develop a sense of empathy and global awareness.

Botstein also emphasizes the importance of a diverse liberal arts education, including the study of the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. He believes that a well-rounded education helps students understand the interconnectedness of different disciplines and encourages them to think beyond their own experiences.

His philosophy of liberal arts education is centered on the idea that education should be a transformative experience that prepares students for a life of meaning and purpose. As he shares during our interview, Botstein believes that education should encourage students to be engaged citizens, challenge the status quo, and create a more just and equitable world.

To that end, under his leadership, in 1999 the college founded the Bard Prison Initiative, which offers prisoners the opportunity to earn degrees from Bard College and to participate in a rigorous liberal arts education while they are incarcerated. The program has received widespread recognition and praise for its impact on the lives of its students, many of whom are seeking a path to a better future. By providing these individuals with an education, BPI is helping to reduce recidivism and prepare them for successful reentry into society.

Botstein’s commitment to providing education to those who may not otherwise have access has earned him recognition and support from various organizations, including financier George Soros and the Open Society. Billionaire Soros has a decades-long connection to Bard College, starting with the college’s work in communities under authoritarian regimes.

Soros’s own experience informed his philanthropy — he survived the Holocaust and fled his native Hungary for New York after the war. Similarly, Botstein’s parents, both Polish-born Jews, also emigrated to the United States with their son after the war. Botstein’s father was the only survivor from his family and his mother was one of three survivors in her family.

The legacy of the Holocaust shaped their world views and collaborations. It is manifested in Bard’s evolution and socially conscious vision of higher education.
This also led to Soros’s donation of $500 million in 2021 as a matching grant. Botstein and his team have already met the goal of the other $500 million.

At the time of the gift, Soros said of Botstein: “For the more than four decades that I have known him, Leon Botstein has shown a deep commitment to Bard, making sure that the school was a paragon of rigorous liberal arts education, critical thinking, and international in its ethos.”

Botstein is also known for his dedication to showcasing lesser-known classical music works and composers. He has been a conductor and music historian for over four decades and has been the music director of the American Symphony Orchestra since 1992.

Botstein is known for his commitment to bringing to light the works of neglected composers. One example was his performance of the New York premiere of David Diamond’s “Concertante for Piano and Orchestra” at Carnegie Hall. The performance was part of a program devoted to overlooked mid-20th-century American works and featured the talented pianist Charlie Albright as soloist.

Botstein’s dedication to showcasing lesser-known composers extends to the Bard Summer Scape festival as well. The festival is a celebration of music, theater, dance, and film, and it often features the works of such composers. In recent years, the festival has included works by composers such as Kurt Weill, Paul Hindemith, and Ernst Krenek.

As a result of these bold efforts, Botstein’s musical career has been a source of inspiration for many, and his commitment to showcasing the works of neglected composers has helped to bring attention to their contributions to classical music. Through his efforts, Botstein has helped to ensure that the works of these composers will not be forgotten and that their music will continue to be appreciated by audiences around the world.

No doubt, Botstein will continue to grow the college’s progressive legacy. Throughout his time at Bard College, Botstein has been a successful fundraiser for sure, but he’s also been steadfast in his commitment to creating a more just and equitable world through education. He has been a pioneer in the field, showing that it is possible to provide high-quality liberal arts education to those who may not have otherwise had access to it.

As well, his musical career has been a testament to his commitment to preserving and promoting the works of neglected composers. Through his performances with the American Symphony Orchestra and his work with the Bard Summer Scape festival, Botstein has helped to bring the works of these composers to the forefront of classical music and has ensured that their contributions will not be forgotten.

His legacy at Bard College and his contributions to education and the arts will continue to be felt for many years to come. Botstein is a visionary leader and a true champion for education and the arts and his impact on Bard College and the world will be felt for generations to come.

As with all guests on The Caring Economy, Leon Botstein exemplifies how leaders with purpose-driven lives and careers are shaping our contemporary lives for the better.