Join James J. Valentini, the new dean of Columbia College and vice president for undergraduate education, and Jon Abbott '84CC, president and CEO of WGBH Boston, for a lively discussion focusing on Dean Valentini's unusual journey to Columbia, how he sees Columbia College as "the greatest college in the greatest university in the greatest city in the world," how to make Columbia even better, and what "better" actually means.

Mingle with Dean Valentini, alumni, parents and new Columbia students and their families at a pre-discussion reception and share your aspirations for the future of Columbia. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served.

The Lions will face off against Dartmouth at Homecoming 2012 on Saturday. The event will feature a pregame picnic lunch under the Big Tent, the Columbia Homecoming Carnival and the football game. An extra highlight this year will be the dedication of The Campbell Sports Center.

The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with a barbecue buffet, open until 1:30 p.m. Picnic tickets are available on-site ($22 for adults and $12 for children). Each ticket includes an all-you-can-eat lunch, soft drinks and admittance to the Columbia Homecoming Carnival. Beer, wine and cocktails are available at an additional cost. There also will be limited cash-and-carry items. The Columbia Alumni Association will sponsor halftime refreshments under the Big Tent. The Columbia Homecoming Carnival opens at 11 a.m. and stays open until 3 p.m. with face painting, balloon making, magic, games, prizes and interactive activities.

The Ivy League football matchup, the first Homecoming game for new Lions coach Pete Mangurian, kicks off at Robert K. Kraft Field at 1:30 p.m. To purchase football tickets, which are separate from picnic tickets, call 888-LIONS-11 or purchase online. Premium chairback seats are $25 and reserved bench seats are $15.

All Homecoming attendees are invited to the dedication of The Campbell Sports Center, the new cornerstone of the revitalized Baker Athletics Complex. The center honors, and is made possible by, one of the College's most accomplished athletics alumni: William V. Campbell '62, '64 TC, captain of the 1961 Ivy League Champion football team, former Lions head football coach and chair of the University trustees.

Columbia University Athletics will sponsor complimentary shuttle buses from the Morningside campus to and from Baker Athletics Complex beginning at 11 a.m. and returning immediately following the game. Campus pickup will be from the gates at West 116th Street and Broadway.

More than 800 Columbia parents and family members plan to attend Family Weekend 2012, which will take place from Friday, Oct. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 21. Family Weekend is an annual campus-wide celebration that features a series of intellectual, informational and social events planned for family members interested in experiencing what it means to be a Columbia student. The weekend overlaps with Homecoming festivities. 

Click here for more information about Family Weekend. To watch Dean James J. Valentini address the parent and family community and other Family Weekend events, including Professor Walter Frisch's lecture on Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, visit the Family Weekend 2012 webcast site.

Columbia College Rabi Scholars spent the summer of 2012 conducting extraordinary research in mathematics and the natural and physical sciences at Columbia and at other universities around the world. On Friday, these young scientists will present their work at the Seventh Annual Rabi Scholars Program Science Research Symposium.

The Rabi Scholars Program provides Columbia College science students the opportunity to develop their ideas and skills through research and faculty mentorship. The program was founded in 1989 by Columbia College and Columbia science faculty in memory of Professor I.I. Rabi, who the 1944 Nobel Prize in Physics. The goal is to support and encourage young scientists by providing research opportunities during students’ undergraduate careers.

Rabi scholars are recruited into the program when they apply to the College, based on their interest in science and their science research activities in high school. They are selected by the Rabi Faculty Committee because of their potential contributions to science during and after their time at Columbia. There are 30 Rabi Scholars, including first-year students.

The symposium will take place on Friday, October 12, from noon to 2 p.m. in Schermerhorn Hall, Room 603.  All are welcome. 

Click here to find out more about the Rabi Scholars Program and the Rabi Scholars’ research topics.