Betsy Robertson Named Board President for Purchase Senior Learning
Elizabeth Robertson has been named president of the board of directors for Purchase Senior Learning Community, Inc., a New York State not-for-profit corporation and sponsor of Broadview – Senior Living at Purchase College, which is under development on the college campus.
A 30-year veteran in both the public and private sectors, Robertson was elected president after serving as the board’s secretary the past five years. Thomas J. Schwarz, past Board President and Purchase College President Emeritus, will remain on the board and continue to advise on the Broadview project.
Previously serving as Director of Government Relations and Strategic Projects at Purchase College, Robertson has been involved with Broadview from its inception. She has assisted with project planning and development, the approval process with the New York State legislature and SUNY system, spearheading the community’s integration with the college, and overseeing the marketing of the retirement community.
Robertson joined Purchase College in 2009 as executive assistant to the president and supported activities including strategic planning, special projects, and grant submissions, and managed relations with local and state legislators and SUNY government. She was also a member of the President’s College Cabinet.
She earned a Master’s in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education and an MBA from Columbia University. She received her B.A. degree from Williams College.
“I am honored to serve as the new president of Purchase Senior Learning Community and will continue our work to support the vision of Tom Schwarz, who was the force behind the creation of Broadview as a means of fulfilling the college’s commitment to life-long learning,” said Robertson.
She continued, “Broadview serves as a model for a campus-based senior living community. Our current success confirms that people want to spend their retirement years engaged in cultural and academic activities in a multigenerational setting. It’s a win for the college as well — the integration of Broadview into the college community will benefit the lives of students and faculty.”
In addition to giving Broadview residents the opportunity to audit classes, the college plans to launch a roster of new courses and lectures that are multigenerational in topic and designed to encourage students and residents to learn together. The cultural opportunities at Purchase College include the Performing Arts Center, which offers world-class music, dance, and theater, and the Neuberger Museum of Art, world-renowned for its collection of modern, contemporary, and African art.
Broadview has reached the halfway point in financing and, in 2021, will begin construction of the 220 independent living retirement community for individuals 62 and older.
