We Asked, You Shared: Columbia Class of 2026 Memories in Photos and Advice
We asked the Class of 2026 to share their photos, memories, gratitude, and advice in anticipation of Commencement Week. Here’s what they had to say.
This week, our community will begin to come together to celebrate Columbia University’s graduating Class of 2026. We couldn’t be more excited for our grads! This moment offers the perfect opportunity to pause, look back, and share the occasions that defined their time at Columbia.
Friendships forged in creating an inclusive student group. Pride in a huge academic milestone. The regular things, like a walk through Lerner or a sunny day spent on Low Beach, or an evening spent exploring the varied neighborhoods of New York City.
All of these moments, big and small, paint a vivid portrait of what it means to be a Columbian. Their photos and words reflect gratitude, hard-won wisdom, and warm nostalgia recognizable to any Columbia graduate. Read through their stories below.
Are you a member of the Class of 2026? We’d love to hear your Columbia story. Share your photos and reflections with us!
Annika Bellot (CS’26) hails from Roseau, Dominica, and says her favorite spot on campus is Butler Library, where the architecture “is lovely to look at while studying.” Bellot particularly wanted to thank her Climate School advisor, Gerald Cotiangco.
Her advice to future generations of Columbians?
“Find your people on campus and build relationships. Don't let the degree be the only thing you take with you when you leave.”
Angel Mindanao (SPS’26), whose favorite spot on campus is Lerner Hall, shared this photo with friends celebrating the end of the semester after class.
Her advice to future generations?
“Try to spend one week without your phone on campus and interview your oldest professors!”
While a student at Columbia, Luther-King Fasehun (MPH’26) was called home to serve as a Senior Advisor to the Federal Government of Nigeria, working to improve primary healthcare. The flexibility Columbia’s M.S. in Epidemiology program offered Fasehun to continue studying online was invaluable.
“Columbia's technical depth and the vast experiences of the professors allowed me to be a confident source of inspiration to my teammates and my leader as we ramped up services and built health-seeking behavior that improved health outcomes in Africa's most populous nation,” Fasehun said. “I have friends who attended Harvard, Yale, and Johns Hopkins, and they told me I was privileged to be able to get that depth that Columbia was offering me, and with flexibility. I am very grateful!”
His advice to future generations of Columbians?
“At this stage of your education, it is no longer about intelligence and academic aptitude; rather, it is about time devoted to actually do the work.”
For Maisha Chowdhury (BC’26), the people she met at Columbia and the dorm experience will be what she misses most upon graduation. With a shout-out to Computer Science Professor Adam Cannon, her advice to future generations of Columbians is simple: “Take advantage of every little school event and New York City as a whole.”
We’ll let Enrique Santiago (SPS’26) do the talking here: “Achieving my master’s at Columbia is incredible, but playing a sport at Columbia was a dream come true. Very often, we do not take advantage of the opportunities that surround us. It is great being at Columbia, but joining an organization was really special and the highlight of my journey. The Men's Lacrosse team is amazing and special. It was great being part of a family again.”
His advice to future generations?
“Chase your dreams because it’s really crazy when they come true.”
Anna Pan (BC’26) and Esees Kaur Komal (BC’26), co-founders of the Columbia Public Interest Law Association, pose in front of Low Library for graduation photos.
Mia Alvarez (SEAS’26) shared this photo from a school-sponsored event at Yankee Stadium as a highlight from her senior year.
Shudufhadzo Musida (SIPA’26), who hails from Ha-Masia, South Africa, said “the last two years have changed me in the best ways.” She wanted to thank Professor Andrea Bubula and Amel Ould-Brahim for “making Macroeconomics something I grew to love when it terrified me.”
Her advice to future generations?
“Be kind to yourself, and know that you’re doing enough.”
Hanna Suh (SPS’26), who hails from Palo Alto, California, extends her gratitude to Lecturer Melody Feinberg and offers the following advice to future Columbians:
“Try all the food carts!”
Ime Ekpo (GS’26), who hails from Staten Island, New York, shared this favorite memory from her time at Columbia, when, after the AfroDiaspora Colloquium’s inaugural event at Knox Hall, members of the collective stood with Grammy-nominated Afrobeats artist Asake in front of Alma Mater.
Angela Rosalie (TC’26), who hails from Jakarta, Indonesia, said that after graduation, she will miss “friends who became like family, supporting and cheering me on through every season of life.”
Rukhsar Balki (SIPA’26) will always fondly remember the “beautiful evenings sitting next to Alma Mater on the stairs and Columbia's sparkling trees during the winter.”
Her advice to future generations?
“Explore as much as you can, do not stay in your room, do not be shy, talk to everyone, go to office hours, network, talk to your professor as much as you can. Go to the events, and please check weekly emails.”
Graduation is a reason for a big smile! George Hofstetter (GS’26), who hails from Oakland, California, poses in front of Low Library.
Share Your Memories
Have a memory, thank you, or photo you’d like to share? You can do so here. Congratulations, grads! We are rooting for you.