AROUND THE QUADS
Rupp to Receive Hamilton Medal on November 14

Former President George Rupp PHOTO: EILEEN BARROSO

Around the Quads

• Inauguration, Homecoming Set for October 3-5 • Joel Klein Named NYC Schools Chancellor • Rupp to Receive Hamilton Medal on November 14 • Advising System Enhanced, Upgraded • Campus Bulletins • Alumni Bulletins • Transitions • In Lumine Tuo • In Memoriam • Koplinka Receives President's Cup, Dean's Circle Luncheon, Hot Dog Days of Summer, and Corrections

The Columbia College Alumni Association continues its tradition of celebrating University presidents when it honors George Rupp with the presentation of the Alexander Hamilton Medal for distinguished service and accomplishment at a black-tie dinner on November 14 in the Low Library Rotunda. CCAA presents the medal to an alumnus or faculty member for distinguished service and accomplishment in any field of endeavor.

Rupp, who served from 1993 until being succeeded by Lee Bollinger in June, will become the fourth president to be honored with the medal upon leaving office. The others were Nicholas Murray Butler (Class of 1882), who served from 1902–45 and was honored with the first Hamilton Medal in 1947; Andrew W. Cordier (1968–70) in 1970; and Michael I. Sovern ’53 (1980–93) in 1993. Other presidents who were honored — two while still in office — were Grayson Kirk (1953–68) in 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower (1948–53) in 1963 and William J. McGill (1970–80) in 1979. In addition, acting president Frank D. Fackenthal (Class of 1906), who served from 1945–48, was honored in 1948.

Rupp now is the president of the International Rescue Committee, which is among the world’s largest nonsectarian, nonprofit agencies providing global emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection and resettlement services for refugees, displaced persons and victims of oppression and violent conflict.

Prior to joining Columbia in 1993 as president, Rupp served as president of Rice University in Houston and dean of the Harvard Divinity School. At Columbia, Rupp focused on enhancing undergraduate education, recruiting leading senior and junior scholars to enhance the faculty, revitalizing the Morningside Heights campus, strengthening the University’s relationship to the surrounding community and New York City as a whole, launching new education and research programs and increasing the international orientation of the University. Under Rupp’s leadership, the University achieved record fund raising each year and completed a $2.84 billion campaign. For more information about the Alexander Hamilton Medal Dinner, please contact Shelley Grunfeld in the Alumni Office at (212) 870-2743 or rg329@columbia.edu.