Eager to start their lives as Lions, first-years from Columbia College and Columbia Engineering arrived on campus with their families and guests on Aug. 23–24. Here’s a selection of images from the exciting weekend.

1. Columbia College Dean Josef Sorett and new Dean of Undergraduate Student Life Kamala Kiem join New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) volunteers to welcome incoming Columbians.

EILEEN BARROSO

2. NSOP-ers helped Lion families move boxes into dorms …

EILEEN BARROSO

3. … gave new students a shout-out …

EILEEN BARROSO

4. … and generally kept the energy high!

EILEEN BARROSO

5. Making new friends!

DIANE BONDAREFF

6. The Alumni Parade of Decades got the Convocation program underway with one of the oldest classes taking the lead.

DIANE BONDAREFF

7. NSOP Student Leader Coordinator Shnayjaah Jeanty CC’27 addressed the crowd, flanked by Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang, Sorett, Acting President Claire Shipman CC’86, SIPA’94, Provost Angela V. Olinto and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Amy Hungerford.

DIANE BONDAREFF

8. Chang proudly shared several technological breakthroughs that have occurred at Columbia.

DIANE BONDAREFF

9. Sorett spoke to first-years and their families about the power of community.

DIANE BONDAREFF

10. The Kingsmen closed the program with "Roar, Lion, Roar"

Dianne Bondareff

11. Time to say goodbye …

DIANE BONDAREFF

12. … and kick off a week of Orientation!

DIANE BONDAREFF