The Class of 2009 could barely contain itself as its members welcomed Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. '73, '76L to the podium as the keynote speaker for this year's Class Day, May 19.

Holder delivered a witty, inspiring speech that included reminiscences of his oddball freshman year roommates - he had two who eventually left campus - and jealousy of the current Carman Hall residents, who have air conditioning.

After sending students, families, alumni, faculty and staff into stitches, Holder struck a more serious tone, urging graduates to give back to their communities.

"Set your sights beyond the career that will offer the greatest financial reward to the one that will reward your soul," he said. "You must do your part to improve the world around you."

For the fifth year, the procession was followed by the Parade of Classes, with dozens of alumni marching with their class banners to welcome seniors into the alumni community.

Celebrating the 25th year of coeducation and the final year of Austin Quigley's role as Dean of the College, more than 900 seniors packed South Lawn on a perfect spring day to say goodbye to their undergraduate years.

On Wednesday, May 20, they will receive their diplomas at Commencement.

Ethan Rouen '04J

Columbia College is pleased to announce the winners of the 34th Lionel Trilling Book Award and the 47th Mark Can Doren Award for Teaching. These awards are bestowed by the Academic Awards Committee of the Columbia College Student Council.

Mark Van Doren Award

Congratulations to James Leighton Professor of Chemistry and the winner of the 47th Annual Mark Van Doren Award for teaching. The Mark Van Doren Award was established in 1962 in celebration of Mark Van Doren, a renowned scholar of the art of writing literature. As a faculty member of Columbia's English Department, Mark Van Doren adhered to a personal standard that is now the award's requirement "humanity, devotion to truth and inspiring leadership."

Lionel Trilling Award

Congratulations to Mark Mazower, Ira D. Wallach Professor of World Order Studies and the winner of the 34th Annual Lionel Trilling Book Award for his book Hitler's Empire: how the Nazis Ruled Europe (2008). The award it is given to a member of Columbia's faculty whose book published in the previous year upholds a level of excellence commensurate with the work of Lionel Trilling. The Lionel Trilling Award was established in 1976 in honor of Lionel Trilling, author, Columbia faculty member of 44 years, and, in the words of the student Academic Awards Committee, "one of the greatest literary critics of his time".

If you ever ask yourself “Why is my gift to the College Fund so important?” just sit back and watch this video.

The people appearing on your screen are not actors and actresses (although Columbia has a few), but actual Columbia College students “speaking from the heart.”

They are the beneficiaries of donations given by Columbians such as yourself.

Please consider making your gift today. It will be dollars well spent.

Directed & edited by Calvin Sun ’08

Three College students were awarded Goldwater Scholarships, the most prestigious prizes for undergraduates planning to pursue Ph.D.s in science and math.

Alex Perry '11 of Drexel Hill, Pa., will receive $15,000 over two years. Noam Prywes '10 of Teaneck, N.J., and Arianne Richard '10 of Pepperell, Mass., will receive $7,500 each as juniors.

Perry, a Rabi Scholar, is studying mathematics. Prywes is a chemistry major, and Richard is majoring in biochemistry.

All three were recognized not just for their undergraduate achievements but also for their potential to make significant contributions to their fields in the future.

This is the first time since 2003 that Columbia has had three Goldwater winners, but College students have been racking up the scholarships this year.

To read about this year's Gates and Marshall Scholarship winners, go to http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/mar_apr09/around_the_quads3.

For our Rhodes Scholar, click http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/jan_feb09/around_the_quads1.

Ethan Rouen '04J

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. '73, '76L will address the Class of 2009 on Class Day, Tuesday, May 19, on the South Lawn.

"Columbians are rightly proud to count both the President of the United States and his attorney general among our graduates," said Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger. "Eric Holder has been a loyal and active alumnus of both our College and Law School. His impressive career exemplifies the civic values and commitment to public service that we hope to nurture in our students across all professional fields and academic disciplines. We look forward to welcoming him back."

After being sworn in as attorney general last month, Holder became the second consecutive College graduate to serve in that cabinet post, succeeding Michael Mukasey '63. Holder was a Columbia University trustee from March 2007 until his confirmation.

"Eric Holder has stayed closely connected to the College and to his classmates while building an outstanding career serving the public good," said Dean Austin Quigley. "He is a fine example to all of our students, and his remarks at the 2009 Class Day will make the occasion especially memorable for our graduating seniors and their families."

After his graduation from the College and Law School, Holder joined the Department of Justice's newly-formed Public Integrity Section, where he investigated and prosecuted corruption involving officials in local, state and federal government. In 1988, President Reagan appointed Holder to serve as an associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, where he presided over hundreds of criminal and civil trials during his five years on the bench.

In 1993, President Clinton appointed Holder to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. In 1997, Clinton appointed Holder to serve as deputy attorney general of the United States, a position that he held until the end of the Clinton administration. Over the course of his career, Holder has earned a reputation as a staunch champion of civil rights.