15 Photos from Columbia Commencement 2023 That Show the Joy of Our Graduates

It was a perfect day in May to celebrate the Class of 2023.

By
Kelly Moffitt-Hawasly and Jennifer Pellerito
May 19, 2023

It is hard to quantify the joyousness of the past week on Columbia's campuses, as the Class of 2023 has celebrated their accomplishments through school graduation ceremonies, University Commencement, the Empire State Building lighting, and many more related activities. Our photographers have been there to capture it all. 

The Columbia University Commencement ceremony of the 269th academic year took place on May 17, 2023, marking the conferral of degrees upon our graduates. 

Be sure to follow Columbia’s social media channels to let us know how you’ve been celebrating and use the hashtag #Columbia2023 to spread the word about our brilliant graduates. 

You can imagine how difficult it is to choose just a few photos to mark such a momentous week, so we encourage you to follow Columbia's Instagram to see even more snapshots of the fun. 

Roar, Lion, Roar!

An aerial of Commencement looking over Low Library.
A faculty member holds a dog in regalia.
Deans of Columbia schools at Commencement
Jeanel LeBlanc performs "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
A sea of Columbia grads waving flags.
President Bollinger and incoming president Minouche Shafik embrace after President Bollinger presented her an honorary degree. Photo by Eileen Barroso.
The second class of Columbia Climate School graduates celebrates with characteristic pinwheels. Photo by Sirin Samman.
A nursing graduate with a red clown nose cheers with the rest of her graduating class.
Two Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons gradutes. Photo by Chris Taggart.
Engineering students wave hammer balloons. Photo by Diane Bondareff.
Charles Lockett and Catherine Medeiros at the NROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
Family members surround a Columbia grad on the bleachers.
A mortar board that reads "I did it! #CULater."
The Empire State Building at dusk.