This page is dedicated to stories about Columbia's campus and community. From student, staff, and faculty profiles to interesting events happening on campus and in our surrounding neighborhoods, here is where you can find the latest about what's happening on and around Columbia's campuses.
Story Highlight
Columbia University has marked Commencement since 1758, and for the past 100 years, outdoors on Low Plaza in front of the proud eyes of Alma Mater. On May 20, the Class of 2026 carried that tradition forward as the University’s 272nd academic year closed with the conferral of 18,000+ degrees upon graduates of 19 schools and affiliates, representing all 50 states (plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico) and 140 countries from around the globe.
Over the past week, the graduating class was also celebrated through school ceremonies, festive fêtes, and beloved traditions like the lighting of the Empire State Building.
Although rain was predicted during a record heat advisory, the weather held out for graduates of two Commencement ceremonies, with sunny skies in the morning for graduate schools and blessed, intermittent cloud cover in the afternoon for undergraduate schools. It was a fitting tribute to a century of Commencement, rain or shine, on the Morningside campus.
COLUMBIA HISTORY
Christopher Brown spends a lot of time thinking about the past. A Professor of History at Columbia, Brown's work focuses on Britain and the British Empire, principally in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. As the nation celebrates its semiquincentennial, Professor Brown discusses the importance of inspiring a love of history in future scholars and leaders.
We also speak with University Archivist Jocelyn Wilk about a recent acquisition to Columbia's Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Also known as the RBML, the library preserves the documents, books, pamphlets, maps, and other items that tell the story of the people who built the school once known as King's College.
This video offers a closer look at Professor Brown, the RBML, and how Columbia helps protect the memory and memorabilia of the early years of the university and the United States.
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Out and About
More Stories
Columbia's biggest celebration of the year will take place on the Morningside Heights campus—here's everything graduates and their guests need to know before May 20.
A recent survey identified that the University’s strengths are part of a broader, if fragmented, culture that is capable of constructive discourse.
How students in an advanced Columbia Spanish course create a public-facing podcast exploring Afro-Latina identity in the United States.
Founder Pierre Voltaire discusses how the project amplifies community voices through the arts, including exhibitions at Columbia University’s Bollinger Forum and collaborations with Columbia Engineering.
On March 20, 135 fourth-year medical students at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons opened the envelopes containing their match letters, learning where they will continue their medical training after graduation.
More than 30 pieces of equipment were replaced to make these spaces more functional for residential students.
According to a very unscientific poll on Instagram, Columbians—or at least, we think they might be affiliated with the University—are looking forward to some exciting new improvements.
From 60-second breathing resets to better sleep routines, a Columbia Health specialist shares workshop-backed strategies to help students (and all of us!) manage stress.
By providing a creative outlet for its members, this dance club offers joy, movement, and community.
Melanie Bernitz and Marcy Ferdschneider invite Columbia students to share their experiences through the LENS Survey before March 13.
While the winter weather slowed many of us down, Columbia athletes, astronomers, and archivists were making their mark. Test your knowledge of the latest news stories across the University!
For the fourth consecutive year, students from all four CUIMC schools traveled to Albany to deepen their understanding of the New York state legislative process.
