“Columbia has served as a crucible of my character, my intellect, my artistic inclinations, my physical and mental health, and my work ethic, and I am so much better for it. I know myself far more comprehensively than I did four years ago, and through extending my comfort zone, working hard and challenging myself, I have a newfound, incandescent confidence that is intrinsically rather than extrinsically derived. I know myself, love myself and genuinely believe that I can do anything.

“The marvel and beauty of the winter lights of College Walk are matched only by those of the shared moments that occur on a daily basis at Columbia.”

“I’m more curious than ever, bolder than ever and more determined than ever to pursue a life I’m proud to live. … I want to cultivate a life I’m happy with that is not intrinsically tied to my career. I will find fulfillment through curiosity and connection. … I’d like to tell my 2020 classmates: Everything will be OK. We will find work; we will stay close; we will be happy.”

“I could’ve done without the pandemic, but at the College I gained a lot of insight about what I genuinely wanted from life.”