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ALUMNI CORNER

Thoughts on Turning 250

By Charles J. O'Byrne '81
President, Columbia College Alumni Association

What does one say about a 250th birthday? Columbia is such an immense place and our experiences so disparate that I think it best to say little except to update you on some of the celebrations that kicked off the University’s grand fête. Thanks to my predecessor, Jerry Sherwin ’55, president emeritus of the Alumni Association, for covering some of these events.

There were plenty of parties. From the gigantic birthday cake on South Field, to the Homecoming tent at Baker Field bursting with thousands of alums, friends and families, to the concert on South Field and Low Steps with Wyclef Jean — all of Columbia seemed to be in party mode.

Thousands filled South Field and streamed onto Low Steps for the concert featuring hip-hop star Wyclef Jean. Photo: Chris Taggart

But there was reflection as well. Miller Theatre was packed as University President Lee C. Bollinger shared his First Amendment expertise during the Fred Friendly seminar “Liberty and Security in an Age of Terrorism.” Two symposia considered the role of constitutional law and the impact of genes and genomes on medicine and society, and sentiment blended with scholarship for Michael Richman’s lecture, “Alma Mater’s History and Legacy.” Low Library was packed with those who joined Barnard Professor Robert McCaughey for the launch of his incisive University history, Stand, Columbia.

Alumni returned to campus mark the occasion, attending celebrations throughout the weekend. The Society of Columbia Graduates held its Great Teacher Awards ceremony in Low Rotunda while more than 250 former football players, supporters and friends celebrated with a dinner charged by the spirit that’s enlivening this year’s program. The weekend closed with a screening of Ric Burns ’78’s sensitive tribute to the University, Columbia University: A Celebration, in Lerner Hall. The film captures much of the University’s history with beautiful images and thoughtful commentary from members of the University community, including former Associate Dean Michael Rosenthal and Brian Dennehy ’60. The film is a remarkable tribute from a talented filmmaker who remains devoted to the College and its tradition of the Core and teaching excellence.

Bollinger’s Op-Ed piece in the October 15 issue of The Wall Street Journal reminded us of Columbia’s many extraordinary contributions to the fabric of our society — from the 64 Columbians who have won the Noble Prize (the College holds the record of having graduated more laureates in science than any other American college) to the creation of whole fields (anthropology) and theories (plate tectonics). Our president, whose leadership as a public intellectual adds more luster to Alma Mater, concluded his essay with a prediction that Columbia, like other great universities, will become increasingly globalized.

In each CCT issue, I try to communicate to you some of the happenings on campus and to encourage you to become more active in the College’s life. However you choose to celebrate the University’s 250th anniversary or to remember your days at the College, there is no better time than now to become involved. Perhaps your experiences at Columbia left something to be desired; perhaps those years on Morningside Heights were the best in your life. Wherever you find yourself along the spectrum of alumni experience, one overriding message in the 250th kickoff resonates for each of us: Columbia is the inclusive community par excellence. The hallmarks of the University, its greatest strengths, are diversity and tolerance. There is room for everyone here, perhaps more than anywhere else.

Alumni play an indispensable role in making Columbia what it is. I hope that you will find or renew your place as we begin a new century, a new era, and move forward together.

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