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Most weeknights, students working in the Student Calling Center — located on the lower level of the Columbia Alumni Center — make telephone solicitations on behalf of 16 annual funds at Columbia. CloEve Demmer, University director of annual fund programs, announced that two veteran student callers, Brandon Lewis ’13 and Diane Jean-Mary ’13, had each crossed the $100,000 threshold in terms of the pledges they secured single-handedly. Lewis and Jean-Mary are both in their second year as student callers.
The Columbia College Student Council’s Academic Awards Committee announced this year’s winners of the Mark Van Doren and Lionel Trilling awards. The 50th annual Mark Van Doren Award, which honors a Columbia professor for his/her commitment to undergraduate instruction as well as for “humanity, devotion to truth and inspiring leadership,” will be presented to Holger Klein, associate professor of art history and archaeology; the 36th annual Lionel Trilling Award will be presented to James Shapiro ’77, the Larry Miller Professor of English and Comparative Literature, for his book Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?
Manning Marable, the M. Moran Weston/Black Alumni Council Professor of African American Studies, founding director of Columbia’s Institute for Research in African-American Studies and director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary Black History, died on April 1. He was 60 and lived in New York City. Marable’s death came just days before the publishing of his long-awaited biography, and the culmination of his life’s work, Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention.
Five accomplished alumni — Andrew F. Barth ’83, Alexander Navab ’87, Kenneth Ofori-Atta ’84, Michael Oren ’77 and Elizabeth D. Rubin ’87 — were presented with 2011 John Jay Awards for distinguished professional achievement on Wednesday, March 2, at the annual John Jay Awards Dinner.
Jacques Barzun ’27, ’32 GSAS, noted cultural historian and University Professor Emeritus, was among the 10 winners of the 2010 National Humanities Medals for outstanding achievement in history, literature, education and cultural policy, President Barack Obama ’83 announced. The medals were presented at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 2, 2011.
Alexandra Wallace Creed ’88, senior v.p. of NBC News, will address the Class of 2011 at Class Day, Tuesday, May 17, on South Lawn. Creed is only the second female Class Day speaker. Creed has been honored with 11 News and Documentary Emmy Awards as well as a Gracie Award and a Peabody. She was presented a John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement in 2008 from the College.
On February 3, 2011, the Dean's Scholarship Reception honored the generous donors who support financial aid at Columbia College and recognized students for their achievements. The annual reception provides an opportunity for scholarship recipients to meet their donors and for the College to thank everyone who helps make financial aid possible.
To sustain its mission of teaching, research, patient care and public service in the years ahead, Columbia University is expanding its current fundraising goal to $5 billion. Even though the multi-year Columbia Campaign has spanned a severe economic recession, it remains on pace to exceed its original $4 billion goal for new gifts and pledges nearly a year ahead of schedule.
Read President Bollinger's 2010 message to the alumni community.
Michael B. Rothfeld ’69, ’71J, ’71 SIPA, ’71 Business received the 2010 Alexander Hamilton Medal on November 18 at the Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner, an annual black-tie event in Low Rotunda. The medal, the highest honor paid to a member of the College community, is awarded by the Columbia College Alumni Association to an alumnus/a or faculty member for distinguished service to the College and accomplishment in any field of endeavor.
More than 1,000 alumni, students, parents and friends gathered under the Big Tent for Homecoming 2010, then watched the Lions mount a spirited fourth-quarter comeback before bowing to Dartmouth 24–21 in Ivy League football on October 23. It was a perfect day for fun and football, as sunny skies welcomed Columbians of all ages who flocked to the Baker Athletics Complex to enjoy barbecue fare and convivial conversation at the annual Homecoming pre-game picnic and carnival.