Passing the Columbia Torch

President Lee Bollinger and President-Designate Minouche Shafik, both dressed in Columbia regalia, embrace on stage with hundreds of graduates looking on at Columbia Commencement on a sunny day.

May 19, 2023

Celebrating our esteemed graduates and Columbia's 269th academic year, President Lee C. Bollinger marked his last Commencement and conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on President-Designate Minouche Shafik, a tradition for any incoming president. We thank President Bollinger for his 21 years of unwavering leadership, vision, and service as we embrace President-Designate Shafik, who officially begins July 1. Cheers to our #Columbia2023 graduates, leaders, faculty, staff, families, and friends!

Learn more about President Bollinger's years at Columbia.

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