2025 Year in Pictures
Take a look back at some of the visual highlights of 2025 from across Columbia University.
As the year draws to a close, it is time once again to look back on the moments that shaped the Columbia University community.
From academic milestones and global research to inspiring campus life and community engagement (like Columbia Engineering's cardboard boat contest in photo above), join us on a visual journey through the most memorable scenes of 2025 captured through the lenses of Columbia photographers and friends.
A rare snowfall last winter turned the Morningside Heights campus into a shared playground.
Rain couldn't dampen the spirits of students, families, and friends as we celebrated 15,000+ graduates from 19 schools and affiliates at Columbia University's Commencement ceremony of the 271st academic year on May 21.
Smiles, joy, and shared curiosity bonded attendees of Manhattanville Community Day on June 10.
Our most talked-about photo of 2025 captured Galápagos iguanas appearing to send off Columbia’s Research Vessel Marcus G. Langseth as it departed from a research expedition. Owned and operated by Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and supported by the National Science Foundation, the R/V Langseth is one of just five vessels capable of long-duration missions in extreme ocean environments and serves as the nation's marine seismic facility.
New Student Orientation Program leaders welcomed the newest Lions to Morningside campus in August.
Morningside Lights returned this fall with a procession from Morningside Park to College Walk after a week of lantern-building workshops. This year's theme was TIMEFRAME 1965, which celebrated the images, icons, and influences of the year 1965—the year the School of the Arts was founded.
A "curious mind" at work! In September, over 1,000 students from local elementary schools filled Haven Plaza at Columbia University Irving Medical Center to explore science through hands-on experiments at the second annual Curious Minds Science Zone.
The Columbia Basketball teams took center court on South Lawn during the inaugural ROARfest, which featured seasonal treats and fun activities for all, ahead of Homecoming.
It was a banner year on the School of General Studies' Veterans Day Parade float, which had 50-some Columbia student veterans aboard and alongside.
Columbia Dining, expert in turning meals into moments of belonging, hosted a wonderful Friendsgiving feast once again in November.
Our Columbia Athletics teams really hit it out of the park this year, with team titles in Archery, Baseball, Men's Tennis, and Women's Basketball, and individual titles in Archery, Fencing, Men's Tennis, and Track and Field. Women's Basketball Coach Griffith even threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Yankees' July 26 game. This 2025-2026 "All-31" sports photo, taken at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, with the iconic Unisphere serving as the backdrop, serves as inspiration for an even more victorious 2026!
At the annual College Walk Tree Lighting in early December, the Morningside Heights campus sparkled with festive lights to usher in the holiday season. Wishing you and yours a festive end to 2025 and a glorious 2026!