Winter 2012–13
Around the Quads
Alumni Share Best Practices at Leaders Weekend
(Left to right) Dr. P. Roy Vagelos ’54 P&S, Richard E. Witten ’75 and Alexandra Feldberg ’08.Columbia Alumni Leaders Weekend was held October 12–13 on campus and featured two days of meetings and learning sessions as well as the Alumni Leaders Luncheon and Alumni Medalists Gala. Sponsored by the Columbia Alumni Association in cooperation with individual schools, the weekend was designed for alumni leaders across all areas of involvement to meet and learn from peers and staff as well as honor those who have been exemplary volunteers.
Honored at the luncheon as the inaugural recipient of The Richard E. Witten ’75CC Award for Volunteer Leadership was Alexandra Feldberg ’08. Also presented with an inaugural Witten award, this one The Richard E. Witten ’75CC Award for Transformational Volunteer Leadership, was Dr. P. Roy Vagelos ’54 P&S.
Dr. Richard D. Axel '67 (left)Speaking on a five-person panel titled “Understanding Our Brains, Understanding Ourselves” was University Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biophysics and Pathology Dr. Richard Axel ’67, who works at P&S, is an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and was a 2004 Nobel Laureate. His specialty is the sense of smell. Joining Axel on the panel was Leslie Vosshall ’87 (not pictured), also a professor of biochemistry and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute as well as the Robin Chemers Neustein Professor and head, Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior at Rockefeller University.
Dean James J. Valentini Photos: Michael DiVitoDean James J. Valentini was among the weekend’s many speakers, along with Trustees Chair William V. Campbell ’62, ’64 TC and President Lee C. Bollinger. Valentini discussed the College’s priorities in a casual session that featured Q&A.