About NaropaLeadershipBoard of TrusteesBart Leonard

Bart M. Leonard

Trustee, Elected 2017

Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science, 1968-70

About

Bart Leonard has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism since 1976, when he began his studies with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a renowned teacher of the Kagyu lineage of Buddhism. Trungpa Rinpoche is known in the West for being one of several major teachers who brought Buddhism to Western societies. The Shambhala Buddhist teachings were developed by Trungpa Rinpoche, and Centers have been established in major cities in the United States and throughout the world. Bart was the Director of the Shambhala Center in New York City from 1982–1985. After moving to Washington, DC in 1997, Mr. Leonard became active in the local center, serving on the Board of the DC Shambhala Center from 2005–2010. He chaired the Board from 2008–2009. He helped lead the project to establish the Center in a new location in Cleveland Park, Washington DC. Mr. Leonard devotes himself full time to his Buddhist studies, and travels frequently to meditation retreat centers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Barnet, Vermont, and Red Feather Lake, Colorado.

Bart Leonard’s professional career began with his work in a family-owned fabric and decorating business in Union, New Jersey. He acquired an interest in Cushion Craft, lnc., a manufacturer of custom cushions and pillows, based in Harrison, New Jersey, in 1986. After assuming full ownership of the company in 1989 when he took on the roles of President & CEO, he led the company to substantial growth and expansion.

Under Bart’s leadership, Cushion Craft developed a licensed home furnishings business that expanded to include products designed with the logos of the teams in the four major professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL) as well as over 100 colleges and universities. Products were marketed through relationships developed with major national retailers. From the early 1990s, Cushion Craft was hailed for its innovative designs and product innovation in the home furnishings arena. Cushion Craft was the second largest home furnishings licensee for the National Football League throughout the 1990s, and in 1994 the company was presented with the Golden Helmet award from NFL Properties, Inc., dubbing the firm “Pillow Pioneers.” Cushion Craft products have been used in television and film, including banner backdrops for the NFL Draft, and as props in the film “Fever Pitch” starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon.

In 1998, Mr. Leonard sold Cushion Craft, Inc. to Biederlack of America, a Cumberland, MD based blanket manufacturing company. After consulting on product design and strategic marketing for the next two years, Mr. Leonard retired from his business career.

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Academics

Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.  

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If you’re seeking an education that resonates with both personal fulfillment and global impact, Naropa could be your top choice. At Naropa, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational approaches. Explore how Naropa can fuel your journey of intellectual and spiritual development.

Life at Naropa

Through its incredibly vibrant and welcoming community,  “Naropa offers a home for those who aren’t willing to conform to convention—the mystic, the healer, the prophet, the rebel, the artist, the revolutionary, the oddball—those who are incredible contributors to the evolution of society and of our planet.”—Core Associate Professor Zvi Ish-Shalom

The Naropa Difference

How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person. 

About Naropa

Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion. 

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Naropa Campuses Closed on Friday, March 15, 2024

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.