Columbia Traditions

Trees on College Walk

Columbia Traditions

Columbia moments: they happen because of the people who come here and because of our history.  They happen because this city is part of us and we are part of it.  Completely unique to each student yet, oh so Columbia. They could only happen here.

Students Produce 119th Varsity Show

Full-length student-produced musical is Columbia’s oldest performing arts tradition.

Class Day Speakers Announced

Columbia College and Columbia Engineering graduation ceremonies to feature prominent alumni speakers.

Columbia's 10th Annual World Leaders Forum

Guests include Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, NBC News Correspondent Ann Curry and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia.

Columbia: An Introduction - A short film by Ric Burns (youtube video)

Columbia: An Introduction is a short film by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ric Burns CC ‘78.

“My favorite tradition is attending the annual Varsity Show – this student-run musical production truly encompasses the spirit of Columbia: witty, brilliant, quirky and just a tiny bit sassy.”

Hungama, a mock Pakistani wedding, is held by Columbia’s Organization of Pakistani Students to celebrate a Pakistani cultural tradition (youtube video)

Hungama, a mock Pakistani wedding, is held by Columbia’s Organization of Pakistani Students to celebrate a Pakistani cultural tradition
“When I graduated from Columbia in 1991 and left New York City, it seemed a world away from my home in Savannah, Georgia. I went from a high school that did not offer Calculus to taking graduate courses in organic chemistry my senior year at Columbia. I read Yeats, saw Pollini play Chopin at Carnegie Hall, and ate foie gras for the first time. I made some of my best friends to this day. I cannot imagine my life today without Columbia.”
“My favorite Columbia tradition is the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Not only is it beautiful to see the trees illuminated all winter, but there is something about the entire student body huddling on College Walk on a freezing night, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies, listening to the Deans speak and watching our talented classmates perform that truly symbolizes the community we have on campus.”

Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon addresses the Columbia Community at the World Leaders Forum (youtube video)

Every year global figures, such as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, speak to the Columbia community thanks to our proximity to the United Nations