Veterans Week 2025: Columbia Celebrates Service and Community
Columbia is considered a model for veteran education and support—more than 650 U.S. veterans and their family members are enrolled at the University today.
It was a blustery November day, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the 50-some Columbia student veterans who rode and walked alongside the Columbia General Studies (GS)-sponsored float in the New York City Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.
“I love that Columbia puts their student veterans’ needs first,” said Ebonnie Goodfield (GS’24, SW’26), president of Women Veterans of Columbia University and a Navy Veteran. “When I came here, it wasn’t just as someone contributing to the University through a GI Bill; they actually cared about my experience, they cared about my service, and they allowed me to lead in spaces I otherwise would not have been able to lead in. They really nurture us and support us through our academic journeys.”
This was the 17th year the School of General Studies sponsored a float in the largest Veterans Day parade in the nation, attended by 400,000 spectators and more than 20,000 participants annually.
[Columbia] actually cared about my experience, they cared about my service, and they allowed me to lead in spaces I otherwise would not have been able to lead in.
Columbia University stands out as a powerhouse for U.S. military veterans in higher education. More than 650 veterans and their dependents currently study at Columbia across multiple schools, from Columbia Business School to Columbia Law School. The School of General Studies alone has more than 300 undergraduate student veterans, which is more than any other Ivy League school.
Columbia is also home to one of the Ivy League’s largest student veteran organizations, the Military Veterans of Columbia University. At the heart of the Morningside campus, the award-winning Center for Veteran Transition and Integration provides unmatched support for veterans navigating life on and off campus.
On Friday, Nov. 14, Columbia celebrated its distinguished veteran student community at a Military Ball held at Chelsea Piers. Established in 2010, the Military Ball continues to be regarded as the premier event uniting veterans across the University community, from all schools and branches of the military.
Below, check out photos from an exciting day at the Veterans Day Parade in NYC and the Military Ball.
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Slide 1: Jeh Johnson (LAW'82), Co-Chair of Columbia University's Board of Trustees, addresses attendees after receiving the Peter J. Awn Lifetime Service Award. Photo by Diane Bondareff
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Slide 2: Lisa and Victor Mendelson (CC'89), Vice Chair of Columbia University's Board of Trustees, receive the Peter J. Awn Lifetime Service Award. Photo by Diane Bondareff.
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Slide 3: Ian Rottenberg, Dean of Religious Life, Director of the Earl Hall Center, and Associate Chaplain, Religious Life, receives The Military Veterans of Columbia University Arrow Award. Photo by Diane Bondareff.
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Slide 4: Jazmin McBride, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Veteran Initiatives, School of General Studies, receives The Military Veterans of Columbia University Quill Award. Photo by Diane Bondareff
