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ALUMNI CORNERChoices We Made To Be ColumbiansBy Brian C. Krisberg ’81 We make choices all the time. Where to work and what to work on. Who to associate with and how much time to spend with them. One of the more important choices we make in a lifetime is where to attend college. It says something about us and, if we are fortunate, helps to play a significant role in who we are. I think it is fair then, as Columbia College embarks on its 254th year of existence, to consider the choice I made 30 years ago, and another 1,017 highly intelligent, energetic 18-year-olds made recently, to attend Columbia. What are the central themes of the Columbia experience, the common threads, so to speak? There are a number that stand out for me. They are the ties that bind us as Columbians. A rigorous education. Columbia always has struck me as a serious place where one gets a rigorous education. This is not to say one does not have the opportunity to get a very good education at Yale, Harvard or Princeton. It’s just that Columbia’s now nearly 90-year commitment to the Core Curriculum and to a series of required courses in the humanities, politics, arts and science taught in small sections (and not in huge lecture halls) is a defining feature of our school. It reflects an institutional belief that, no matter how costly or cumbersome to staff, Columbia students should go out into the world with the best common educational foundation that will prepare them to make a difference in society and be tomorrow’s leaders. 
What are the central themes of the Columbia experience ... the ties that bind us as Columbians?  New York City . Columbia’s official name is “ Columbia University in the City of New York.” People’s view of New York City and Columbia are inexorably intertwined and seem to rise and fall together. In the 1970s, the subways didn’t work, the city’s finances were out of control and crime was on people’s minds. Being in New York City or at Columbia didn’t seem like such a hot idea. Today, New York City is on a roll, the mayor rides the subway and everyone wants to spend time in New York City (and based on the sizzling admissions statistics for the Class of 2011, at Columbia). Spending four college-age years in New York City, and at Columbia, can be a life-changing experience. Be it finance, banking, real estate, journalism, theater or museums, New York City and Columbia provide access to the best in all these areas and more. A real-world environment of critical thinkers. It is clear to me that a certain type of student tends to be attracted to Columbia and to thrive here. Our students are critical thinkers, always ready to discuss the issues of the day, to ask hard questions and to engage in intense and passionate debates. While I was not around for the late ’60s conflicts, this is a legacy of active engagement that distinguishes Columbia from its peer institutions and continues. In addition, I always have felt there is something very real-world about living and studying for four years on Morningside Heights. In my case, this grittier, non-cushy side to the Columbia years became an excellent chance to learn how to adapt to my surroundings and to be resourceful and indefatigable in the pursuit and realization of my goals. A small college in a large university. I have come to realize that one of Columbia College’s strongest attributes is the fact that it is a small college in a large research university setting. It is, in a sense, the best of both worlds. While there will certainly be pressure in upcoming years to grow the size of the College a bit, at 1,017 per class, our students are able to know many of their classmates personally, to attend small classes and to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. This intimacy is a hallmark of Columbia that should be nurtured. At the same time, the University is a humongous place with 16 divisions and 29 faculty departments. I am amazed each May as Commencement is packed with nearly 12,000 degree recipients. The breadth and depth of course offerings represents a great opportunity for our students to expand their horizons (in my case, to courses on anthropology, sociology and ethnicity). Activity-based connections. Because our participation rate is lower than many of our peer institutions, there is a perception that our alumni do not feel strongly about their Columbia years. Based on my travels on behalf of the Alumni Association, I believe this is not valid. Our alumni feel tremendous loyalty to Columbia and respond positively to invitations to come back to campus, based on activities and relationships that made a difference in their lives. There are examples all over, whether it be a fraternity gathering, an event sponsored by an organization formed for a particular race or ethnic group, The Varsity Show, an individual athletics team alumni event, Dean’s Day in New York or on the road, or the annual Spectator or Society of Columbia Graduates dinners. Positive stories and appreciation abound for the good times had on the Upper West Side at these gatherings. These broad-based decentralized connections are our tradition. That is my short list of what makes Columbia College a unique environment. Each of these qualities is something to be proud of and worth feeling strongly about. When a College student or alum comes into your office or home, share your stories about life at Columbia and celebrate your common experiences. As we grow the passion level of alumni and students about Columbia, the College’s relative standing among the finest schools in the land can only improve.
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