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COVER STORY
Columbia250 Kicks Off With Something for Everyone
By Alex Sachare ’71
 Columbia’s 250th anniversary celebration
began with something for everyone on Homecoming
/ Family Weekend, October 17–19. In fact,
there were too many events for an ordinary weekend
or even one of the three-day variety, so planners
did a little stretching to pack it all in.
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Columbia250
opening weekend festivities included a black-tie
reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
and a screening of Ric Burns ’78’s
Columbia University: A Celebration;
a symposium on “Constitutions, Democracy
and the Rule of Law” that was hosted
by President Lee C. Bollinger; and the Homecoming
football game against Penn. Quarterback Jeff
Otis ’05 (No. 7), who opened the scoring
with a touchdown pass, scrambles for yardage
against a tough Quaker defense that shut down
the Lions the rest of the way in a 31–7
Penn victory.
Photos: Eileen Barroso |
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And there was a lot to pack in, ranging from academic
symposia with leading faculty to a birthday bash
with a three-ton presentation cake shaped like Low
Library; from a festive Homecoming carnival that
helped ease the pain of a 31–7 loss to Penn
to a black-tie premiere of Ric Burns ’78’s
Columbia University: A Celebration at the
Met; from an outdoor concert on South Field featuring
Wyclef Jean that drew upward of 10,000 to a book
signing of Stand, Columbia by Barnard history
professor Robert McCaughey; from walking tours of
Morningside Heights, Harlem and Manhattanville to
a walking tour of the tunnels that snake beneath
the campus.
The 55th Great Teachers Awards Dinner, which honored
University Provost Alan Brinkley, Allan Nevins professor
of history, and Alfred Aho, professor of computer
science, on October 14, was the unofficial kickoff
to the gala weekend (if you can start a weekend
on Tuesday). Dean Austin Quigley commented, “It’s
wonderful that the newly appointed provost of the
University should be receiving a teaching award,”
citing this as evidence of the faculty commitment
to undergraduate teaching. The awards are presented
by the Society of Columbia Graduates.
The following night, President Lee C. Bollinger
participated in the taping of a timely Fried Friendly
Seminar in Miller Theatre, “Liberty &
Security in an Age of Terrorism.”
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(From top) An afternoon drizzle failed to dampen
spirits on South Field for the birthday bash on
Friday; some of the fans who gathered to hear the
hip-hop sounds of Wyclef Jean at Saturday’s
concert; a jazz quartet entertained at the black-tie
gala at the Met; and the Columbia Marching Band
and a cheerful stilt-walker kept fans of all ages
entertained at Homecoming.
Photos: Eileen Barroso;
Second from top: Chris Taggart |
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Two symposia were held on campus on Thursday and
Friday, October 16 and 17, “Genes and Genomes:
Impact on Medicine and Society” and “Constitutions,
Democracy and the Rule of Law.” Both drew
large numbers of alumni, students, faculty and guests,
and will be posted in full at www.c250.columbia.edu.
On Thursday, a book party was held for Bob McCaughey
in Low Library, where the Barnard history professor
autographed copies of Stand, Columbia,
his history of the University. McCaughey spoke about
the book, which he says describes the “ups,
downs, then ups again” of Columbia’s
history. “Columbia remains, in my mind, the
university that did more,” he noted.
On Friday, Andrew S. Dolkart ’77 AR led
a walking tour of campus buildings and Morningside
Heights that focused on Seth Low’s vision
of the Columbia campus; Michael Richman discussed
the history and legacy of Alma Mater at the opening
of a Low Rotunda exhibit about the campus icon;
and Jeremiah Stoldt ’94 conducted a guided
tour through the labyrinthine tunnels that wind
their way beneath the Morningside Heights campus.
Friday’s Birthday Bash went off despite a
drizzle that prompted planners to distribute ponchos
on South Field. After Bollinger cut into the 13-foot
presentation cake (most of which was painted plywood
— only the top level was cake), various student
groups performed and pizza and cupcakes were served.
A “mockumentary” by School of the Arts
student Ben O’Dell saluted Columbia’s
birthday, and the evening concluded with an outdoor
presentation of Columbia University: A Celebration,
which was commissioned for the occasion.
Meanwhile, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Burns’ film was screened for an audience composed
largely of invited alumni, who also attended a black-tie
reception at the Temple of Dendur. The film, which
Burns describes as “a historically informed
celebration,” aired on WNET/Channel 13, NewYork,
on October 30.
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Barnard history professor
Robert McCaughey (top) autographs copies of his new history
of the University, Stand, Columbia, at Low Library.
Dean Austin Quigley and his wife, Patricia Denison, were among
the guests at the Met for the screening of Ric Burns '78's
Columbia University: A Celebration. Photos: Joyce
Culver (top); Eileen Barroso (above) |
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There were tours of campus and Harlem on Saturday,
but the first of the two main events took place
at Baker Field, which was the site of the largest
Homecoming in recent memory. More than 2,000 alumni,
family and guests turned out to enjoy a sumptuous
barbecue as well as the games in the carnival arcade
and outdoor amusement area. Seniors had their own
tent and others staged tailgating parties before
joining the crowd of 13,785 inside Lawrence A. Wien
Stadium, where the Lions scored the first touchdown
of the game before being overrun by Penn.
As the football game was ending, final preparations
were under way for the evening hip-hop concert on
South Field. Erykah Badu was a no-show, but Wyclef
Jean, who had been hospitalized earlier in the week
because of food poisoning, showed up and performed
for nearly double his scheduled hour, delighting
the throng that packed South Field and the Low Steps.
The gala weekend closed on Sunday with tours of Manhattanville,
Columbia’s outdoor sculpture, and underground tunnels, the
opening of a Core Curriculum exhibit at the Rare Book and Manuscript
Library and another screening of Columbia University: A Celebration.
But while the opening weekend was ending, the celebration of Columbia’s
250th anniversary was only beginning, as organizers have many more
events planned for the next 12 months. For more information, log
onto www.c250.columbia.edu,
and see the Save the Date calendar.
Columbia250 Calendar: Save the Dates!
This calendar, which highlights Columbia250 and College events
throughout 2003–04, will be updated in each issue. Peruse
it for new events as well as for changes to times or locations.
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NEW! Columbia250 Presidential Reception, Parsippany, N.J.
Tuesday, November 11, 6:30–8:30
p.m.
The Sheraton
A reception featuring President
Lee C. Bollinger. Registration required, details TBA.
CCYA Achievement Award
Wednesday, November 12, 7–9
p.m.
The Duke 42nd St. Theater, 229 W. 42nd St.
Join young alumni, faculty,
students and other members of the Columbia community as
the College honors The New York Times’ Arts
& Leisure section editor, Jodi M. Kantor ’96,
and Second Generation Founder and Artistic Director Welly
C. Yang ’94. Participants should register in advance.
NEW! Columbia vs. Cornell Alumni Tailgate, Cornell
Saturday, November 15, 11 a.m.–
1 p.m.
Crescent Lot behind stadium
$15 per person for reception; children under 10, free
R.S.V.P. by November 12. To
register, go to www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni
or call toll-free (877) 852-2586.
Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner
Monday, November 17, 6:30–10:30
p.m.
Low Library Rotunda, Faculty Room
Join the College in honoring
Emanuel Ax ’70 at this black tie benefit dinner.
NEW! General Studies City Seminars Lecture: “The
Academic Acropolis: Columbia University and Morningside
Heights”
Tuesday, November 18, 6–8
p.m.
University Club, Council Room, 1 W. 54th St.
$30 general admission (business attire)
Andrew S. Dolkart ’77AR
will explore how Columbia came to be located on Morningside
Heights and will investigate Charles McKim’s master
plan for the campus. Registration required.
NEW! Books Etc. Reading Series: Novelist Ursula Hegi
Tuesday, November 18, 7–9
p.m.
Barnard College, Julius Held Lecture Hall, 304 Barnard Hall
Ursula Hegi, a visiting faculty
member in Barnard’s English department, will read
from her new novel, Sacred Time.
NEW! Columbia250 Alumni Federation Business Luncheon
Wednesday, November 19,
11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Columbia Club of New York,
15 W. 43rd St.
$45 per person
A luncheon featuring speaker
Robert Kasdin, senior executive v.p. of the University.
Registration required. R.S.V.P. by November 7 to Jessie
Mygatt: jsm9@columbia.edu
or (212) 870-2535.
NEW! Columbia250 Film Presentation, Tucson
Saturday, November 22, 2:30–8
p.m.
Gallagher Theatre, University of Arizona
Screenings of Columbia
University: A Celebration by Ric Burns ’78. Registration
required, details TBA.
NEW! Columbia250 Alumni Reception, Fairfield County
Wednesday, December 3, 6–8
p.m.
Stamford Holiday Inn Select
A reception and program with
Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute and professor
of economics. Registration required, details TBA.
NEW! Columbia250 Alumni Reception, Nassau County
Wednesday, December 3, 6–8
p.m.
Location TBA
A reception and program featuring
Robert McCaughey, author of Stand, Columbia: A History
of Columbia University. Registration required, details
TBA.
NEW! Columbia250 Alumni
Reception, Naples
Wednesday, December 10, 5:30–8 p.m.
Miramar Beach Club, Bonita Springs, Fla.
$30 per plate
A dinner and program with
Professor Douglas Chalmers, director of Columbia’s
Institute for Latin American and Iberian Studies. Details
TBA.
Digital Media in Education: A Time for Invention
Wednesday, December 10, 9 a.m.–6
p.m.
Faculty Room, Low Library
A symposium that will draw
on and present those Columbia faculty members most active
in extending the use of technology and new media in education
and will include demonstrations, commentaries and discussions.
Basketball Event: Columbia vs. UC Berkeley, Berkeley,
Calif.
December 27, 6–10 p.m.;
tip-off, 7 p.m.
The Bancroft Hotel
Cheer on the Lions as they
play UC Berkeley. The alumni party will be held at The Bancroft
Hotel, within walking distance of the game. For pre-game
event information, please see www.college.columbia.edu/
alumni/events.
Southeastern College Day
Saturday, January 31, 2004, 9
a.m.–4 p.m.
Miami
This event, modeled on Dean’s
Day, offers a chance to be a “student for a day”
by attending lectures given by Columbia faculty members.
Black Alumni Homecoming
Saturday, February 7, 2004, 6:30–10
p.m.
Location TBA
Join alumni, students, faculty
and other members of the Columbia community for this 19th
annual celebration.
NEW! Columbia250 Presidential Luncheon, San Diego
Monday, February 23, 2004, 11:30
a.m.– 3 p.m.
Westin Horton Plaza
A luncheon with President
Lee C. Bollinger. Registration required, details TBA.
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NEW! Columbia250 Presidential Reception, Orange County
Monday, February 23, 2004 6–8
p.m.
The Four Seasons, Newport Beach, Calif.
A luncheon with President
Lee C. Bollinger. Registration required, details TBA.
NEW! Columbia250 Presidential Reception, Los Angeles
Tuesday, February 24, 2004, 6–8
p.m.
The Getty Center
A luncheon with President
Lee C. Bollinger. Registration required, details TBA.
NEW! Columbia250 Presidential Reception, Albany
Monday, March 1, 2004, 6–8
p.m.
Location TBA
A reception featuring keynote
speaker President Lee C. Bollinger.
John Jay Awards Dinner
Wednesday, March 3, 2004, 6:30–10:30
p.m.
Plaza Hotel, 59th Street and Fifth Avenue
Join the College as it honors
Stephanie Falcone Bernik ’89, Peter Kalikow P’02,
E. Javier Loya ’91, Phillip M. Satow ’63 and
Jonathan S. Sobel ’88 for their professional achievements.
Rescue, Relief and Reconstruction: Humanitarian Action
in the 21st Century
Thursday, March 4, 2004, 9 a.m.–
7:30 p.m.
The Kellogg Center, 15th Floor, SIPA
The wars in Afghanistan and
Iraq marked significant turning points in world politics.
Please register in advance.
Southern California College Day
Saturday, March 13, 2004, 9 a.m.–4
p.m.
Location TBA
This event, modeled on Dean’s
Day, offers a chance to be a “student for a day”
by attending lectures given by Columbia faculty members.
El Regreso: Latino Alumni Homecoming
Saturday, March 27, 2004, 7–11
p.m.
Low Library Rotunda
Latino alumni are invited
to celebrate cultural and personal achievements. An alumnus/a
is awarded the Latino Heritage Award for recognition of
outstanding contributions to the Latino and/or Columbia
community.
Dean’s Day
Saturday, April 3, 2004, 9 a.m.–4
p.m.
Morningside Heights campus
Open to parents and alumni,
Dean’s Day offers a chance to be a “student
for a day” by attending lectures given by Columbia
faculty members.
Asian Alumni Reception
Wednesday, April 14, 2004, 7–11
p.m.
Low Library Rotunda
Asian alumni and current students
are invited to mingle and celebrate their culture. An alumnus/a
is awarded the Asian Heritage Award for recognition of outstanding
contributions to the Asian and/or Columbia community.
Earth’s Future: Taming the Climate
Thursday, April 22, 2004, 9 a.m.–
Friday, April 23, 2004, 5 p.m.
Roone Arledge Auditorium
What limits our ability to
control Earth’s climate? Perspectives from disciplines
such as earth science, ocean atmospheric science, political
science, social science, and ethics and international law.
Brain and Mind
Thursday, May 13, 2004, 9 a.m.–
Friday, May 14, 2004, 1 p.m.
Low Rotunda
A symposium that will help
outline the accomplishments and limitations of the reductionist
and holistic approaches in attempts to delineate the problems
that confront neural science.
Baccalaureate Service
Sunday, May 16, 2004, 4 p.m.
St. Paul’s Chapel
Academic Awards & Prizes Ceremony
Monday, May 17, 2004, 11 a.m.
Low Library Rotunda
Class Day
Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 10 a.m.
South Field
Commencement
Wednesday, May 19, 2004, 9:30
a.m.
Low Plaza and South Field
Reunion Weekend
Thursday–Sunday, June 3–6,
2004
Morningside Heights Campus and New York City
The College invites alumni
whose class years end in 4 or 9 to return to campus for
events, parties, dinners and time to visit with classmates.
Washington, D.C., College Day
September 2004, date and time
TBA
Location TBA
Open to parents and alumni
in the Metro D.C. area and modeled on Dean’s Day,
this event offers a chance to be a “student for a
day” by attending lectures given by Columbia faculty
members.
Twenty-First Century City
Friday, October 1, 2004, 9 a.m.–5
p.m.
Morningside Campus
Three inter-disciplinary sessions
are planned: “Pluralism,” “Tolerance”
and “Knowledge.” Please register in advance.
Homecoming and 250th Celebration Closing Weekend
Friday–Sunday, October 1–3,
2004
For more detailed Columbia250
event information, or to register to receive regular site
updates and information throughout the celebratory year,
go to www.c250.columbia.edu
or contact Columbia250: c250@columbia.edu
or (212) 870-3294 (toll-free: 877-250TH-CU). For more information
on College events, including registration, go to www.college.columbia.edu/
alumni/events/ or contact the Alumni Office: (212) 870-2288
(toll-free: 866-CC-ALUMNI).
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