Dean Michele Moody-Adams was interviewed by Richard Heffner ’46 for an episode of his long-running PBS series, Open Mind, that first aired on June 18. In the wide-ranging conversation, Heffner, who recently celebrated his 65th reunion, and the Dean discussed the importance of a liberal arts education, the necessity of making such an education available to as many students as possible, the value of coeducation vs. single-sex education, the use and misuse of history and the mood on the Columbia campus today. To view the program, log onto http://www.thirteen.org/openmind.
Dean Michele Moody-Adams was interviewed by Richard Heffner ’46 for an episode of his long-running PBS series, Open Mind, that first aired on June 18. In the wide-ranging conversation, Heffner, who recently celebrated his 65th reunion, and the Dean discussed the importance of a liberal arts education, the necessity of making such an education available to as many students as possible, the value of coeducation vs. single-sex education, the use and misuse of history and the mood on the Columbia campus today. To view the program, log onto http://www.thirteen.org/openmind.
More than 2,400 alumni and guests enjoyed Alumni Reunion Weekend and Dean’s Day 2011, held June 2–5. Attendees renewed friendships at class-specific events, revisited their classroom days by attending mini-Core courses and thought-provoking panels, checked out campus changes via guided tours, and enjoyed good food and company on campus and at venues around New York City. Celebrating reunion this year were classes ending in 1 or 6, from 1946–2006.
More than 2,400 alumni and guests enjoyed Alumni Reunion Weekend and Dean’s Day 2011, held June 2–5. Attendees renewed friendships at class-specific events, revisited their classroom days by attending mini-Core courses and thought-provoking panels, checked out campus changes via guided tours, and enjoyed good food and company on campus and at venues around New York City. Celebrating reunion this year were classes ending in 1 or 6, from 1946–2006.
Young alumni from the Classes of 2001–11 had a rousing celebration on the evening of June 3, setting a record at the Young Alumni Party with more than 1,200 attendees joining the fun aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid.
Alumni of all ages capped the weekend at Saturday night’s gala Starlight Reception on Low Plaza, enjoying music, champagne, sweets and a dance floor that was filled to capacity.
Dean’s Day, open to alumni of all classes as well as parents, was held on June 4, and for the first time, the deans from the College, Engineering, General Studies and the Arts and Sciences spoke on their fields of expertise. Other leading professors also shared their expertise through CC, Lit Hum, Frontiers of Science, Art Hum and Engineering lectures. An Alumni Representative Committee reception, a Center for Career Education presentation and affinity group receptions — for varsity athletics, Spectator, Columbia Alumni Singers and the Asian Columbia Alumni Association — as well as the chance to converse with others in Italian at Casa Italiana or enjoy string music composed by Columbians, sponsored by Columbia Engineering Young Alumni, rounded out the day’s offerings.
There were plenty of family activities during the weekend as well, including the Decades BBQs and Camp Columbia for Kids featuring playtime, plenty of fun food and snacks, and even milk and cookies to nosh on during a movie.
Dean Michele Moody-Adams addressed the topic, “Whatever Happened to Civil Disagreement?” and led a lively (but civil) question and answer session before an audience of more than 150 alumni and guests on May 24 at the Columbia Alumni Association’s fifth annual Spring Faculty Lecture at NYC’s Morgan Library. The evening, which was emceed by CAA Chair and University Trustee James Harden ’78 Business, ’83 PH, began with a reception and included tours of the Morgan Library and Museum.
Dean Michele Moody-Adams addressed the topic, “Whatever Happened to Civil Disagreement?” and led a lively (but civil) question and answer session before an audience of more than 150 alumni and guests on May 24 at the Columbia Alumni Association’s fifth annual Spring Faculty Lecture at NYC’s Morgan Library. The evening, which was emceed by CAA Chair and University Trustee James Harden ’78 Business, ’83 PH, began with a reception and included tours of the Morgan Library and Museum.
Moody-Adams noted that while political disagreement seems to have become less civil in recent times, such as the instance of a congressional representative shouting “You lie!” during a Presidential State of the Union address, such discourse has a lengthy history, and has included incidents involving Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. Often, Moody-Adams noted, such disagreement may have seemed less abrasive in the past because it was delivered in humorous fashion, and she twice quoted Winston Churchill as examples.
Moody-Adams, who is completing her second year as dean of the College, also is the University’s vice president for undergraduate education, the Henry L. and Lucy G. Moses Professor and the Joseph Strauss Professor of Moral Philosophy. She taught at Wellesley, Rochester, Indiana and Cornell before coming to Columbia in July 2009.
Mark Albert Momjian ’83, ’86L, a leader of the Columbia University Club of Philadelphia and chair of the Alumni Representative Committee of Philadelphia for the past two decades, and Neil L. Selinger ’75, a writer and retired attorney who was a leader of the Columbia College Alumni Association for nearly two decades, were among 11 recipients of the Alumni Medal for their distinguished service of 10 years or more to the University.
Mark Albert Momjian ’83, ’86L, a
leader of the Columbia University Club of Philadelphia and chair of the Alumni
Representative Committee of Philadelphia for the past two decades, and Neil L.
Selinger ’75, a writer and retired attorney who was a leader of the Columbia
College Alumni Association for nearly two decades, were among 11 recipients of
the Alumni Medal for their distinguished service of 10 years or more to the
University.
Other Alumni Medal recipients, who
were honored at Commencement on May 18, were Lisa Phillips Davis ’76 Barnard;
Susan K. Feagin ’74 GS; Margot H. Jaffee ’80 Dental, ’85 Dental; Gertrude G.
“G.G.” Michelson ’47L; Daniel V. Schiavello ‘75E, ‘76E; Kaspar F. Speckle ’64 Business; Jian Ni
“Nina” Sun ’01 SIPA; Dale Chakarian Turza ’74 GSAS; and Martha G. Welch ’71
P&S.
Celebrating
what Dean Michele Moody-Adams called “an extraordinary rite of passage,”
members of the Class of 2011 began the transition from students to alumni at
Class Day on May 17, a day that was marked by morning rains and blustery winds
but calmer weather by the time Sans Souci
and Roar, Lion, Roar were sung by the
Clefhangers to conclude the ceremony.
Celebrating what Dean Michele Moody-Adams called “an extraordinary rite of passage,” members of the Class of 2011 began the transition from students to alumni at Class Day on May 17, a day that was marked by morning rains and blustery winds but calmer weather by the time Sans Souci and Roar, Lion, Roarwere sung by the Clefhangers to conclude the ceremony.
Their transition continued the next day under overcast skies when the College seniors took their place among more than 12,000 graduates of the University’s schools and affiliates at Commencement, the official graduation ceremony that drew a crowd of more than 30,000 to Low Plaze.
Alexandra Wallace Creed ’88, senior v.p. of NBC News, delivered a Class Day keynote speech marked by levity and brevity, to the delight of the graduates, families and guests who gathered under tents on South Field. She joked that when the seniors heard their speaker was from NBC News, they might have expected Brian Williams, Matt Lauer, Ann Curry or Tom Brokaw, not “Alex Wallace — who is he?” She urged the graduates to “follow your passion. Work can be an avocation as well as a vocation … It is more satisfying to find a place where you fit than to contort yourself to fit somewhere you don’t. Is there something you love doing, besides sleeping, that could become a career? You will work a lot in your life. You should love what you do.”
Dean Moody-Adams spoke of the remarkable space on which Class Day and Commencement were held, “one of the most glorious public spaces in the world,” and told the graduating seniors that whatever they went on to do in life, she hoped they always would “protect social and political spaces in which robust but reasoned debate is possible.” She went on to say, “You have had the opportunity to test out your ideas and your arguments in one of the most diverse settings in human history,” noting that members of the Class of 2011 represented 50 states and 70 countries.
While such diversity can be challenging, Dean Moody-Adams said, “You are Columbians. You are not afraid of challenge, and you are not afraid to respond to challenge in a context where not everybody thinks exactly the way you do. Winston Churchill once wrote that courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, but courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. When you leave Columbia to start your life as a college graduate, be sure to have the courage of your convictions, but be courageous enough to also sit down and listen to people who don’t think like you. When you do, you will demonstrate the power of your Columbia College education and you will affirm the value of an experience that consistently connected you to something larger than yourself.”
President Lee C. Bollinger kept his remarks brief, noting that he would have “a captive audience” at Commencement. “This is really your century,” he told the students. “It’s an incredible time for you to be graduating from this institution, with this education, and to be going out into the world. We will watch you with pride and interest.”
Scott Maxfield ’11, chair of the Senior Fund, announced that a record 95 percent of graduating seniors had donated $21,349, and that surpassing the participation goal of 93 percent had triggered a pledge of $50,000 to the Columbia College Fund from Charles Santoro ’82. Maxfield, accompanied by the 11 vice chairs of the Senior Fund, presented Dean Moody-Adams with a scroll bearing the names of the 951 seniors who contributed.
Also speaking at Class Day were salutatorian Elizabeth Lucia Lyon ’11 and class president Sean Manning Udell ’11, who drew a roar when he said, “Allow me to quote Legally Blonde for just one minute: ‘We made it!’ ”
Presenting student life and service awards and academic awards were Dean of Student Affairs Kevin Shollenberger and Dean of Academic Affairs Kathryn B. Yatrakis. Brian Krisberg ’81, ’84L, chair of the Columbia College Alumni Association, welcomed the graduates as the newest members of the association and urged them to be active alumni before presenting three alumni awards and prizes.
For the eighth year, the procession included the Alumni Parade of Classes, with more than 100 alumni from as far back as 1936 marching with their class banners to welcome seniors into the alumni community.
