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Congrats, Class of 2021!

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DEAR MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2021,

In a year like no other, you’ve accomplished one of life’s finest achievements— you’re a graduate of Columbia College, the greatest college at the greatest University in the greatest city in the world.

You’ve read Core texts, sat on Low Steps, explored New York City, pivoted to virtual learning during a pandemic...you are a part of not only Columbia University history, but also world history.

While your time as a College student may be over, you join the ranks of our esteemed alumni. Like them, may your College days be a positive force for change in our ever-changing world.

ORDER OF EXERCISES

I. WELCOME

James J. Valentini
Dean of Columbia College
Vice President for Undergraduate Education
The Henry L. and Lucy G. Moses Professor

II. REMARKS

Sonia Mahajan
Class of 2021 Student Speaker

III. PRESENTATION OF DISTINGUISHED CLASS AWARDS AND ALUMNI PRIZES

Cristen Scully Kromm
Dean of Undergraduate Student Life

Distinguished Class Awards
Students were honored on April 6 at the Leadership and Excellence Awards Ceremony and will be recognized.

RECIPIENTS

Claudary Jones
Charles M. Rolker Prize
This prize is awarded to the member of the Columbia College graduating class who is judged by classmates to be most worthy of special distinction because of scholarship, participation in student activities or any combination thereof.

Beom Joon Baek
Alumni Prize
This prize is awarded by the Columbia College Alumni Association to the Columbia College senior judged by classmates to be the most faithful and deserving.

Cayla Davis
Robert Lincoln Carey Memorial Prize
This prize is awarded annually by the Columbia College Alumni Association to the Columbia College senior who, demonstrating admirable academic achievement along with other outstanding achievements at the College, best exemplifies the ideals that Robert Lincoln Carey sought to engender in the students of Columbia College.

Grace Ann Bertelli
Alumni Association Achievement Award
This prize is awarded annually to the member of the Columbia College senior class who is judged to be most outstanding for qualities of mind, character and service to the College.

IV. PRESENTATION OF ACADEMIC AWARDS

Lisa Hollibaugh
Dean of Academic Affairs

RECIPIENTS

Leopold Aschenbrenner
Albert Asher Green Memorial Prize
This prize is given to the Columbia College senior who has been a student in good standing in the College for at least three years and who has made the best record of scholarship. It was established in 1913 by Mr. and Mrs. Asher Green in memory of their son, Albert Asher Green CC 1914.

Zachary Kimmel
David B. Truman Alumni Award
This award is presented to the Columbia College student who has made the most distinguished contribution to the academic affairs of the College. It was established in 1970 in honor of David B. Truman, former dean of the College.

Leopold Aschenbrenner
Valedictorian

Sofia Montrone
Salutatorian

From among those students with the highest GPA, the valedictorian and salutatorian are selected by the faculty’s Committee on Honors, Awards and Prizes on the basis of faculty recommendations regarding the strength, breadth, depth and rigor of their academic achievements, as well as on evidence of their intellectual promise, character and achievement outside the classroom.

V. SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT REMARKS

Maryam Elsayed
President of the Class of 2021

VI. KEYNOTE REMARKS

Mario Van Peebles CC’78

VII. REMARKS

James J. Valentini
Dean of Columbia College
Vice President for Undergraduate Education
The Henry L. and Lucy G. Moses Professor

Lee C. Bollinger
President of Columbia University

VIII. NAME RECOGNITION

IX. CLOSING

James J. Valentini
Dean of Columbia College
Vice President for Undergraduate Education
The Henry L. and Lucy G. Moses Professor

Clefhangers

“Sans Souci” (Alma Mater)

What if tomorrow bring Sorrow or anything
Other than joy?
What if ’t be wintery chill,
Rain, storm, or summer’s thrill,
Tomorrow’s the future still,
This is today!
Tomorrow’s the future still,
This is today!
One last toast ere we part!
Written on ev’ry heart
This motto stay—
Long may Columbia stand
Honored throughout the land,
Our Alma Mater grand,
Now and for aye!
Our Alma Mater grand,
Now and for aye!

—Percy Fridenberg CC 1886


“Roar, Lion, Roar” (Fight Song)

When the bold teams of old wore the blue and white,
Deeds of fame made their name here at old Columbia!
Nowadays, we can praise fighting teams again!
Hear the Lion roar his pride,
While the men of Morningside,
Follow the blue and white to victory!
Roar, Lion, Roar
And wake the echoes of the Hudson Valley!
Fight on to victory evermore,
While the sons of Knickerbocker rally round
Columbia! Columbia!
Shouting her name forever!
Roar, Lion, Roar
For Alma Mater on the Hudson Shore!

—Corey Ford CC 1923

MULTICULTURAL GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS

In honor of Columbia’s diverse student community and complementing the school — and University-wide graduation celebrations — we are proud to also offer Multicultural Graduation Celebrations, which provide a more intimate setting for students who self-identify in a variety of ways. These events invite community members to reflect on personal growth and community experiences that have impacted their time as students through to graduation. All students are invited to participate in these celebrations.

WATCH MULTICULTURAL GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS

#CC21OFAKIND

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2021

Your best-of Columbia College moments and memories!

Take a trip down memory lane with memories from your classmates and jam out to the 21 for CC’21 playlist.

CC'21 RECAP

SHARE YOUR CELEBRATION

USE #CC21OFAKIND TO SEE YOURSELF ON CC SOCIAL

Take a #selfie...Boomerang your cap throw...#ShowUsYourWalk on TikTok.

We want to see you celebrating this momentous occasion.

Use #CC21ofakind and tag us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter— get creative and you may see yourself on the official College social media!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest.

FIND ALL COLUMBIA COLLEGE STICKERS ON INSTAGRAM

A SALUTE TO OUR GRADUATES

Class of 2021, you did it! Your class is truly #CC21ofakind. We may be saying “goodbye” for now, but history will remember how you overcame the circumstances of this topsy turvy year.

Don’t forget: you’ll always have a home in Morningside Heights. When it’s safe, we hope to see you on campus, basking on the steps of Low Beach or wandering College Walk.