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Manning Marable, the M. Moran Weston/Black Alumni Council Professor of African American Studies, founding director of Columbia’s Institute for Research in African-American Studies and director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary Black History, died on April 1. He was 60 and lived in New York City. Marable’s death came just days before the publishing of his long-awaited biography, and the culmination of his life’s work, Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention.
Five accomplished alumni — Andrew F. Barth ’83, Alexander Navab ’87, Kenneth Ofori-Atta ’84, Michael Oren ’77 and Elizabeth D. Rubin ’87 — were presented with 2011 John Jay Awards for distinguished professional achievement on Wednesday, March 2, at the annual John Jay Awards Dinner.
Jacques Barzun ’27, ’32 GSAS, noted cultural historian and University Professor Emeritus, was among the 10 winners of the 2010 National Humanities Medals for outstanding achievement in history, literature, education and cultural policy, President Barack Obama ’83 announced. The medals were presented at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 2, 2011.
Alexandra Wallace Creed ’88, senior v.p. of NBC News, will address the Class of 2011 at Class Day, Tuesday, May 17, on South Lawn. Creed is only the second female Class Day speaker. Creed has been honored with 11 News and Documentary Emmy Awards as well as a Gracie Award and a Peabody. She was presented a John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement in 2008 from the College.
On February 3, 2011, the Dean's Scholarship Reception honored the generous donors who support financial aid at Columbia College and recognized students for their achievements. The annual reception provides an opportunity for scholarship recipients to meet their donors and for the College to thank everyone who helps make financial aid possible.
To sustain its mission of teaching, research, patient care and public service in the years ahead, Columbia University is expanding its current fundraising goal to $5 billion. Even though the multi-year Columbia Campaign has spanned a severe economic recession, it remains on pace to exceed its original $4 billion goal for new gifts and pledges nearly a year ahead of schedule.
Read President Bollinger's 2010 message to the alumni community.
Michael B. Rothfeld ’69, ’71J, ’71 SIPA, ’71 Business received the 2010 Alexander Hamilton Medal on November 18 at the Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner, an annual black-tie event in Low Rotunda. The medal, the highest honor paid to a member of the College community, is awarded by the Columbia College Alumni Association to an alumnus/a or faculty member for distinguished service to the College and accomplishment in any field of endeavor.
More than 1,000 alumni, students, parents and friends gathered under the Big Tent for Homecoming 2010, then watched the Lions mount a spirited fourth-quarter comeback before bowing to Dartmouth 24–21 in Ivy League football on October 23. It was a perfect day for fun and football, as sunny skies welcomed Columbians of all ages who flocked to the Baker Athletics Complex to enjoy barbecue fare and convivial conversation at the annual Homecoming pre-game picnic and carnival.
Fashion designer Kenneth Cole P'10 is joining with Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science to announce a groundbreaking initiative to encourage students to become agents of social change. The program, featuring undergraduate fellowships in community-based initiatives as well as classroom study, will help prepare students to make meaningful, sustainable change by developing practical approaches to challenges and opportunities faced by participating communities.
John W. Kluge ’37, the billionaire businessman who was one of Columbia’s most generous benefactors and who founded the Kluge Scholars Program that benefitted hundreds of current and former College students, died on Tuesday evening, September 7. He was 95.
Born on July 21, 1914, in Chemnitz, Germany, Kluge immigrated when he was 8, grew up in Detroit and earned a scholarship that allowed him to attend the College. “If it hadn’t been for Columbia, my path would have been entirely different in life,” Kluge said at a celebration of his 90th birthday in Low Library. “Columbia gave me an opportunity, and the only way you can really repay that opportunity is for you to help someone else.”