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FEATURE

Distinguished Pianist Emanuel Ax '70 Receives Alexander Hamilton Medal

By Alex Sachare ’71
Photos By Eileen Barroso

Esteemed pianist Emanuel Ax ’70 was presented with the Alexander Hamilton Medal for distinguished service and accomplishment in any field of endeavor at a black-tie dinner in Low Library Rotunda on November 17. The award, presented by the Columbia College Alumni Association, is considered the College’s highest honor.

While most previous winners have been businessmen or educators, Ax joins Richard Rodgers ’23 and Oscar Hammerstein II ’16 as Hamilton Medal recipients from the music world. Dean Austin Quigley hailed Ax’s ability to interpret and present music by saying, “We recognize the brilliantly unpredictable creativity of one of the sons of Columbia.”

In presenting the medal, President Lee C. Bollinger noted, “We are celebrating Rodgers and Hammerstein and Ax.” And in beginning his acceptance speech, Ax said, “As long as it’s Rodgers and Hammerstein that I’m following, I’m happy. Columbia was an incredible, eye-opening experience for me.”

Abigail Black Elbaum ’92 and Michael B. Rothfeld ’69 served as dinner co-chairs. One of the highlights of the evening, which was attended by approximately 400 alumni, students, faculty, administrators and guests, was the musical performance by 22-year-old pianist Orion Weiss, Ax’s student and protégé.

“I’m unbelievably touched and honored,” said Ax, “that so many of my friends are here and that Orion played so brilliantly. What a beautiful evening. Thank you.”

Above, Emanuel Ax ’70 holds the Alexander Hamilton Medal as he is joined by (from left) President Lee C. Bollinger, Alumni Association President Charles J. O’Byrne ’81 and Dean of the College Austin Quigley.

Before the presentation, Ax met with the dinner’s co-chairs, Michael B. Rothfeld ’69 (left) and Abigail Black Elbaum ’92 (right).

Clockwise from top left, Ax with his family; Charles J. O’Byrne ’81, president of the Alumni Association; Orion Weiss, a protégé of Ax, performs during dinner; and Ax congratulates Weiss after his musical performance.

One of the highlights of the dinner was the displaying of the original charter for King’s College, signed in 1754. Above, a look at a piece of the charter.

New basketball coach Joe Jones meets with Ax, President Lee C. Bollinger and his wife, Jean Magnano Bollinger, during the cocktail hour (left); the campus group Uptown Vocal closed the evening by leading alumni in "Sans Souci" (right).

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