New students in the Class of 2022 arrived on campus on August 26, greeted by cheering New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) leaders who helped them move into their residence halls. Later that evening, the Class of 2022 began its Columbia journey under white tents on Low Plaza at Convocation. Following processions of student leaders and faculty, alumni marched holding banners denoting their class decades in the Alumni Procession to demonstrate to new arrivals their lifelong connection to Columbia.

Throughout the evening, which included speeches by Columbia College Dean James J. Valentini, Columbia Engineering Dean Mary C. Boyce and Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger, student Orientation Leaders and Residential Advisers cheered emphatically.

In his welcome speech, Valentini said: “The greatness of an educational institution is really measured by the opportunities it affords, and by that measure Columbia College is remarkable."

Eileen Barroso

Eileen Barroso