Dear members of the Columbia community,
As we prepare to celebrate Class Days and Commencement, I invite you to watch a short video message reflecting on this important time.
Commencement season is my favorite part of the academic year. It’s a moment for all of us to come together and focus our attention and pride on our graduates, whose resilience, creativity, and determination have carried them to this remarkable point, even at a time shaped by challenge and uncertainty.
This season is a time for us to reflect on and celebrate the values that define Columbia: an unabashed pursuit of knowledge, a devotion to free expression, and a deep care for one another and the world around us. Those values will be on full display this week.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! We can’t wait to celebrate you alongside your friends, family, and loved ones.
Sincerely,
Claire Shipman
Acting President, Columbia University in the City of New York