The Columbia College Alumni Association is a community that includes all Columbia College alumni as well as current students, and in April 2014, CCAA was pleased to introduce its new face. This logo is the outcome of a 14-month initiative that set out to redefine CCAA’s role, domain and membership in a way that would be welcoming, inspiring and purposeful.
More than 50 alumni across several generations and with differing levels of engagement participated in the development of this logo, which represents a new spirit and era for CCAA. Working closely with Beardwood LLC and BBDO Worldwide, CCAA confirmed that its alumni are independent, intellectual, full of ideas (and opinions!) and determination, and that they are deeply proud of their connection to our great college and its remarkable cohort of more than 49,000 alumni. Our new brand, an expression of our people, connects us to the Columbia Lion, which was borne out of CCAA in 1910. The updated Lion exhibits important qualities of alumni — nobility, wisdom, thoughtfulness and confidence. Look for the face on our website, in emails, on social media, in Columbia College Today and at our events and programs.
“The lion represents strength, boldness, love for its community, pride (no pun intended), and he/she is unafraid of standing up for causes or forging new paths.”
-Renan Pierre, CC'86, SEAS'87
"The new era is building on the strength of our community, represented by the powerful lion. By coming together to enhance the Columbia College experience both for students and alumni, we are bolstering the value of the Columbia College degree. We draw from the strength of the individuals in our community to create an expansive network globally, where no opportunity--and no stretch of the savanna--is left untapped."
- Lauren Dwyer CC'11
"As for my view, the great thing about the lion is the way its expression captures the breadth of our varied alumni base."
- Doug Wolf CC'88
“Leadership: the lion is the king of the jungle. The lion has an ability to do a great number of things and has few natural predators. He is at the top. The lion always strikes me as wise and having a countenance of wisdom.”
- Michael Garrett CC'66, LAW'69, BUS'70