Creating Opportunities in Pivotal Times

As I reflect on my term as president of the Columbia College Alumni Association (CCAA), one thing was certain: change. We navigated transitions in leadership across the University, welcoming two University presidents, a new College dean and fresh leadership in the Alumni Office. The College also made the difficult decision to sunset the Alumni Representative Committee, yet we embraced new and exciting ways to engage alumni globally.

Emerging from the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, Columbia found itself at the center of campus protests that sparked significant dialogue and debate. Through countless conversations with alumni, I was reminded of the breadth of opinions within our community and the strength that lies in our diversity of thought. Leading the CCAA during such pivotal times allowed us to create new opportunities to connect with students, faculty and alumni, in ways that were both challenging and deeply rewarding.

The CCAA itself also evolved, with new committees, refined processes and innovative programming. I am particularly proud of several key initiatives that we introduced:

• Intellectual Programming Committee: This committee is broadening opportunities for alumni to engage with Columbia’s remark- able intellectual community and esteemed faculty. In October, we launched our inaugural program Big Topics, Short Takes, with a three-session virtual series on civil disobedience featuring faculty experts in this critical area. This series marked the beginning of our efforts to create dynamic, thought-provoking content that connects alumni to the intellectual heart of the University.

• Campus Solidarity Task Force: Formed in response to the events of Oct. 7, 2023, this task force addressed the concerns raised by campus tensions. For the first time, we collaborated with the alumni members of the Columbia University Senate, strengthening alumni engagement in governance. We also expanded the Alumni-Hosted Dinners program, offering increased support and connection to students during challenging times. In addition, our virtual Alumni-TALK series was broadened to feature in-depth interviews by distinguished alumni journalists, who engaged faculty and administrators to offer critical perspectives on Columbia’s navigation of these tense issues. The first two sessions featured a conversation with Columbia’s Task Force on Anti-Semitism co-leader Professor David Schizer, and an interview with Core Curriculum Director Larry Jackson.

• Diversity & Governance Working Group: This group played a pivotal role in enhancing the inclusivity of our nominations process, ensuring that the CCAA Board of Directors and its programming better reflect the diversity of our alumni com- munity. By developing more inclusive nomination practices, we successfully brought in board members who represent a broader spectrum of alumni experiences and identities, enriching the leadership and perspectives within the CCAA.

As my term comes to an end, I am thrilled to pass the torch to Raymond Yu ’89, SEAS’90, a longtime board member and a recipient of a 2023 John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement. Raymond has been a steadfast leader on the CCAA Executive Committee since 2018, most recently serving as VP of development. His dedication to Columbia is reflected in his roles as co-chair of the Columbia College Fund, chair of the Fund Development Council and co-chair of the Parent Leadership Council. Together with his wife, Amy, Raymond is the proud parent of a current College student and two College alumni.

Raymond’s professional journey has been as impressive as his Columbia one. As president of Yuco Real Estate Company and Yuco Management, he has played a vital role in shaping New York City’s landscape through the development and management of commercial and residential properties. His influence extends beyond Columbia, serving as vice-chair of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York, and as a founding board member of the NoHo Business Improvement District and an advisory board member of the New York Housing Conference.

Serving as CCAA president these last two years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am so proud to be an ambassador and alumni leader for “the greatest college in the greatest university in the greatest city in the world.” I am grateful for the deep friend- ships I have made on the CCAA board and for all of the incredible alumni and faculty I have had the privilege to meet and learn from.

As Socrates wisely said, “The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” I am excited to see how the CCAA will continue to evolve under Raymond’s leadership, and I look forward to the new year with hope and anticipation.

Roar, Lion, Roar!