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AROUND THE QUADS
Rupp to Receive Hamilton Medal on November
14
The Columbia College Alumni Association continues its tradition
of celebrating University presidents when it honors George Rupp
with the presentation of the Alexander Hamilton Medal for
distinguished service and accomplishment at a black-tie dinner on
November 14 in the Low Library Rotunda. CCAA presents the medal to
an alumnus or faculty member for distinguished service and
accomplishment in any field of endeavor.
Rupp, who served from 1993 until being succeeded by Lee
Bollinger in June, will become the fourth president to be honored
with the medal upon leaving office. The others were Nicholas Murray
Butler (Class of 1882), who served from 1902–45 and was
honored with the first Hamilton Medal in 1947; Andrew W. Cordier
(1968–70) in 1970; and Michael I. Sovern ’53
(1980–93) in 1993. Other presidents who were honored —
two while still in office — were Grayson Kirk (1953–68)
in 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower (1948–53) in 1963 and William
J. McGill (1970–80) in 1979. In addition, acting president
Frank D. Fackenthal (Class of 1906), who served from 1945–48,
was honored in 1948.
Rupp now is the president of the International Rescue Committee,
which is among the world’s largest nonsectarian, nonprofit
agencies providing global emergency relief, rehabilitation,
protection and resettlement services for refugees, displaced
persons and victims of oppression and violent conflict.
Prior to joining Columbia in 1993 as president, Rupp served as
president of Rice University in Houston and dean of the Harvard
Divinity School. At Columbia, Rupp focused on enhancing
undergraduate education, recruiting leading senior and junior
scholars to enhance the faculty, revitalizing the Morningside
Heights campus, strengthening the University’s relationship
to the surrounding community and New York City as a whole,
launching new education and research programs and increasing the
international orientation of the University. Under Rupp’s
leadership, the University achieved record fund raising each year
and completed a $2.84 billion campaign. For more information about
the Alexander Hamilton Medal Dinner, please contact Shelley
Grunfeld in the Alumni Office at (212) 870-2743 or rg329@columbia.edu.
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