A Passion for
Teaching

Class of 2003
Steps Out

The Right
Person at the
Right Time

First Person:
Crossing
Boundaries

Letters to the
Editor

Previous
||
This Issue
||
Next

Around the Quads

Columbia To Celebrate 250th Anniversary With Special Events, Symposia and More

BY LISA PALLADINO

In just a few months, the University will embark on its year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of its founding as Kings College in 1754. Special events throughout the year will honor the anniversary, and some annual events, such as the College’s Alexander Hamilton and John Jay Awards Dinners, will have a 250th theme.

The celebration kicks off with Homecoming Weekend, Thursday–Sunday, October 16–19. The weekend will feature academic symposia, a concert and other events on campus as well as homecoming festivities including a carnival, football, field hockey and volleyball games at Baker Field and Levien Gym. The 250th celebration will continue for the next year and close during Homecoming Weekend 2004, October 1–3.

Some events will be academic, highlighting the impact of Columbia’s scholars and graduates during the University’s existence. For example, symposia, two of which will be held on opening weekend, will look at the past and the future through the perspectives of various disciplines, including constitutional law, genetics, the humanities, information technology and environmental science.

Other events will show off the architectural changes and updates to campus buildings and the community, such as the unveiling of Hamilton Hall’s extensive renovations, which include the installation in Hamilton’s lobby of two Tiffany stained glass windows, one of which was in the library of Columbia’s former midtown campus. In conjunction with the College’s celebrations, several of the community subway stations that serve the University on the 1/9 line, including 103rd, 110th and 116th Streets, have been undergoing construction and renovation since the spring and will reopen in time to celebrate their 100th anniversary.

Some events planned for the 250th celebration are listed in calendar form on the facing page. As event details are finalized and more are added to the schedule, the information will be posted on the Columbia 250 website, and published in CCT.

Columbia 250 Calendar: Save the Dates!

Join Columbia students, faculty and alumni as the University celebrates its quarter-millennium. With symposia, special events, concerts, tours and even cake and ice cream on Alma Mater's birthday, there's something for everyone. Throughout this Columbia 250 calendar, you'll also find details about College events that are open to alumni.

Columbia College Day in Washington, D.C.

Saturday, September 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The George Washington University

Open to parents and alumni in the Metro D.C. area (includes Maryland and Virginia) and modeled after Dean's Day on the Morningside campus, College Day offers a chance to be a "student for a day" by attending lectures given by Columbia faculty members. Please contact Elaine Mathews in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2746.

250th Anniversay Celebration Opening Weekend

Thursday-Sunday, October 16-19

Constitutions, Democracy and the Rule of Law

Thursday-Friday, October 16-17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Miller Theatre

This academic symposium will be divided into three sessions across two days. Led by Jon Elster, Robert K. Merton Professor of Social Sciences, and Akeel Bilgrami, Johnsonian Professor of Philosophy, the symposium will bring together political scientists, former heads of state, philosophers and other experts to discuss the effects of constitutions on governments and society.

Genes and Genomes: The Impact on Medicine and Society

Thursday, October 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, October 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Roone Arledge Auditorium

Organized by Professor Tom Jessell of P&S and the Center for Neurobiology and Behavior and Joanna Rubinstein, associate dean for institutional affairs, Health Sciences, this academic symposium will explore how genetic research will influence the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases, as well as the consequences of the availability of genetic information for modern society. Several Nobel laureates are expected to attend.

Family Weekend

Friday, October 17, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, October 18, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, the weekend allows parents of new students to experience campus life through faculty lectures, discussions, campus and neighborhood tours, athletic games, museum trips and social activities. Please see the Student Affairs website.

Author Signing of Stand, Columbia

Friday, October 17, 1 p.m.
Columbia Bookstore, Lerner Hall

Robert McCaughey, Anne Whitney Olin Professor of History at Barnard, will sign copies of Stand, Columbia, his new scholarly history of the University, which was commissioned for the celebration. McCaughey has traced Columbia's evolution from its founding as King's College in 1754 to its rise as a first-rank university to its future in the 21st century.

Alma Mater: History and Legacy

Friday, October 17, 2:30 p.m.
Location TBA

Michael Richman, author of Daniel Chester French: An American Sculptor and editor of the Daniel Chester French Papers, will discuss in this lecture the sculptor whose 100-year-old statue holds court on the Low Steps.

Field Hockey vs. Penn

Friday, October 17, 7 p.m.
Baker Field

Homecoming vs. Penn

Saturday, October 18
Events begin at 10 a.m., Game time: 1:30 p.m.
Baker Field

Homecoming will be expanded from a College event to include alumni and students from all University schools, who will be welcome to gather under the tents at Baker Field for a variety of pre-game activities. Look for family-friendly options including amusements and carnival games.

Daniel French Works Bus Tour

Saturday, October 18, 11.a.m.
Main gate, 116th Street and Broadway

Michael Richman, an expert on sculptor Daniel Chester French, will lead two bus tours of French's work and other public sculpture.

Morningside Heights Campus Tour

Saturday, October 18, 12 p.m.
Location TBA

Women's Volleyball vs. Brown

Saturday, October 18, 4 p.m.
Levien Gym

Concert at Low

Saturday, October 18, 7 p.m.
Low Plaza

Details TBA

Screenings of Columbia: A Celebration

Saturday-Sunday, October 18-19, times TBA
Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall

Award-winning documentarian Ric Burns '78's film, Columbia: A Celebration, will be screened.

Dean's Scholarship Reception

November, date and time TBA
Roone Arledge Auditorium

Sponsored by the Alumni Office, this annual reception is a chance for scholarship recipients and their donors to meet and chat in a relaxed setting.

Boston College Day

Saturday, November 8
Location TBA

This annual event, which is modeled on the Dean's Day held each spring on the Morningside Heights campus, offers a chance to be a “student for a day” by attending lectures given by Columbia faculty members. Please contact Elaine Mathews in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2746.

Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner

Monday, November 17, 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Low Library Rotunda, Faculty Room

Please contact Shelley Grunfeld in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2288.

Northern California Basketball Event: Columbia vs. Berkeley

December 27, time TBA
UC Berkeley

Join your fellow alumni to cheer on the Lions as they take on UC Berkeley. Please contact Elaine Mathews in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2746.

Southeastern College Day

January 2004, date and time TBA
Location TBA

Los Angeles College Day

February 2004, date and time TBA
Location TBA

19th Annual Black Alumni Heritage Month Reception

February 7, 2004, time TBA
Low Library Rotunda

All alumni are invited to this event to celebrate cultural and personal achievements of alumni of color. An alumnus/a is awarded the Black Heritage Award for recognition of his or her outstanding contribution to the Black and/or Columbia community. This event is sponsored through the Alumni of Color Outreach Program via the Alumni Office. Please contact Adlar García '95 in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2786.

John Jay Awards Dinner

Wednesday, March 3, 2004, 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Plaza Hotel, 59th Street and Fifth Avenue

Join the College as it honors its most distinguished graduates for their professional achievements. Please contact Shelley Grunfeld in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2288.

El Regreso: Latino Alumni Homecoming

Saturday, March 27, 2004 (tentative), time TBA
Low Library

Latino alumni are invited to this annual event to celebrate cultural and personal achievements. An alumnus/a is awarded the Latino Heritage Award for recognition of outstanding contributions to the Latino and/or Columbia community. This event is sponsored through the Alumni of Color Outreach Program via the Alumni Office. Please contact Adlar García '95 in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2786.

Dean's Day

April 2004, date and time TBA
Morningside Heights campus

Open to parents and alumni, Dean's Day offers a chance to be a "student for a day" by attending lectures given by Columbia faculty members. Please contact Heather Applewhite in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2757.

Asian Alumni Reception

Wednesday, April 14, 2004 (tentative), time TBA
Low Library Rotunda

Asian alumni and current students are invited to mingle and celebrate their culture at this event, which coincides with Asian Pacific American Awareness Month History Month at Columbia. An alumnus/a is awarded the Asian Heritage Award for recognition of outstanding contributions to the Asian and/or Columbia community. This event is sponsored through the Alumni of Color Outreach Program via the Alumni Office. Please contact Adlar García '95 in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2786.

Baccalaureate Service

Sunday, May 16, 2004, 4 p.m.

Academic Awards & Prizes Ceremony

Monday, May 17, 2004, 11 a.m.

Class Day

Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 10 a.m.
South Field

Commencement

Wednesday, May 19, 2004, 10:30 a.m.
South Field

Reunion Weekend

Thursday-Sunday, June 3-6, 2004
Morningside Heights Campus and New York City

The College invites alumni whose class years end in 4 or 9 to return to campus for a weekend filled with events, parties, dinners and plenty of time to visit with classmates. To join your class's reunion committee, please contact Sharen Medrano in the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2742.

Washington, D.C., College Day

September 2004, date and time TBA
Location TBA

250th Anniversary Celebration Closing Weekend

Friday-Sunday, October 1-3, 2004

L.P.

Previous
||
This Issue
||
Next

Untitled Document

CCT Home

This Issue Previous Issue

CCT Masthead