If you ever ask yourself “Why is my gift to the College Fund so important?” just sit back and watch this video.

The people appearing on your screen are not actors and actresses (although Columbia has a few), but actual Columbia College students “speaking from the heart.”

They are the beneficiaries of donations given by Columbians such as yourself.

Please consider making your gift today. It will be dollars well spent.

Directed & edited by Calvin Sun ’08

Three College students were awarded Goldwater Scholarships, the most prestigious prizes for undergraduates planning to pursue Ph.D.s in science and math.

Alex Perry '11 of Drexel Hill, Pa., will receive $15,000 over two years. Noam Prywes '10 of Teaneck, N.J., and Arianne Richard '10 of Pepperell, Mass., will receive $7,500 each as juniors.

Perry, a Rabi Scholar, is studying mathematics. Prywes is a chemistry major, and Richard is majoring in biochemistry.

All three were recognized not just for their undergraduate achievements but also for their potential to make significant contributions to their fields in the future.

This is the first time since 2003 that Columbia has had three Goldwater winners, but College students have been racking up the scholarships this year.

To read about this year's Gates and Marshall Scholarship winners, go to http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/mar_apr09/around_the_quads3.

For our Rhodes Scholar, click http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/jan_feb09/around_the_quads1.

Ethan Rouen '04J

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. '73, '76L will address the Class of 2009 on Class Day, Tuesday, May 19, on the South Lawn.

"Columbians are rightly proud to count both the President of the United States and his attorney general among our graduates," said Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger. "Eric Holder has been a loyal and active alumnus of both our College and Law School. His impressive career exemplifies the civic values and commitment to public service that we hope to nurture in our students across all professional fields and academic disciplines. We look forward to welcoming him back."

After being sworn in as attorney general last month, Holder became the second consecutive College graduate to serve in that cabinet post, succeeding Michael Mukasey '63. Holder was a Columbia University trustee from March 2007 until his confirmation.

"Eric Holder has stayed closely connected to the College and to his classmates while building an outstanding career serving the public good," said Dean Austin Quigley. "He is a fine example to all of our students, and his remarks at the 2009 Class Day will make the occasion especially memorable for our graduating seniors and their families."

After his graduation from the College and Law School, Holder joined the Department of Justice's newly-formed Public Integrity Section, where he investigated and prosecuted corruption involving officials in local, state and federal government. In 1988, President Reagan appointed Holder to serve as an associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, where he presided over hundreds of criminal and civil trials during his five years on the bench.

In 1993, President Clinton appointed Holder to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. In 1997, Clinton appointed Holder to serve as deputy attorney general of the United States, a position that he held until the end of the Clinton administration. Over the course of his career, Holder has earned a reputation as a staunch champion of civil rights.

A festive crowd of more than 350 alumni, students, faculty, and family and friends packed Low Rotunda on March 10 for the 2009 John Jay Award Dinner.

The award recipients were actress Maggie Gyllenhaal '99, NAACP president Benjamin Jealous '94, Progenics CEO and CSO Dr. Paul Maddon '81, mortgage executive Thomas Francis Marano '83 and sculptor Gregory Wyatt '71.

The 2009 John Jay Award recipients, on stage in Low Rotunda with President Lee C. Bollinger and Dean Austin Quigley, proudly showed their commemorative citations. From left, Benjamin Jealous ’94, Maggie Gyllenhaal ’99, Bollinger, Gregory Wyatt ’71, Dr. Paul Maddon ’81, Quigley and Thomas Francis Marano ’83. Photo: Eileen Barroso

John Jay Scholar Samantha Elghanayan '09 addressed the attendees, prior to introducing Dean Austin Quigley. She noted how the program helps participants home in on "the importance of knowing yourself and knowing what drives you ... the program provides the tools to answer the question 'Who am I?' "

Quigley, attending the last John Jay Dinner of his 14-year tenure as Dean of the College, highlighted the achievements of each honoree, whose careers are varied yet all draw on the humanities in some way, and noted, "We give a special kind of education here at Columbia .... we're educating our students about the fundamental questions facing humanity today."

The black-tie dinner, an annual tradition, supports the John Jay Scholars Program, which honors the most outstanding first-year College students. John Jay Scholars benefit from the program by being offered the opportunity to participate in special programs such as panels, discussions and outings, all designed to promote intellectual growth, leadership development and global awareness.

For more on each honoree, please see College To Honor Five Alumni for Professional Achievement.

View the photo gallery.

Learn about various Fulbright Scholarship opportunities for post graduation.  Dean Pippenger and Ms. Roach will share information about the Fulbright Research Grants and Teaching Assistantships.  Gain insight into the application process and if these possibilities are the right fit for you.  For more information, please contact the Fellowship Programs Office.