The Inauguration of Minouche Shafik on October 4, 2023 was a celebration of Columbia’s 20th president and a public reaffirmation of the university’s commitment to service, impact, and academic excellence.
Over the course of several weeks, all Columbians—including students, faculty, staff, and alumni—joined with President Shafik and our neighbors and friends for a series of events and programs across our campuses. These included opportunities to learn, to volunteer, and to debate and discuss the issues central to our local and global communities.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, marked the official inauguration of Minouche Shafik, Columbia's 20th president. The day itself was divided into two parts: the investiture, which is the formal ceremony that installs President Shafik as the head of Columbia, and an evening campus-wide celebration featuring DJs, dancing, and a closing show.
In honor of the presidential inauguration, all Columbians—including students, faculty, staff, and alumni—were invited to join with President Minouche Shafik and our neighbors and friends for a series of free events and programs across our campuses and Upper Manhattan in the weeks surrounding the day.
"This is a very special time to be in higher education, and universities have a crucial role to play in addressing societal problems. Columbia is positioned to be a tremendous force for good, and I am excited to be leading such an extraordinary institution."
History of Columbia University and its Leaders
Columbia University is the oldest institution of higher education in New York, and the fifth-oldest in the United States. Today, it is one of the world’s leading research institutions and has a world-renowned medical center. Columbia provides a distinctive and rigorous learning environment for undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of scholarly and professional fields.
Here, learn about the history of the University and its leadership over its 269-year history.
