Jump to Navigation

University Commencement

Overview
 
Ceremony Details
 
Award Recipients
 
History

UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT
MAY 16, 2012
  Click to view campus maps

Contact Info

Commencement Office
212-854-1753
commencement@columbia.edu

Commencement 2010

Columbia University Commencement is a centuries-old tradition in which the President of the University grants degrees en masse to graduating students from eighteen schools, colleges, and affiliated institutions. During this ceremony, remarkable members of the Columbia community are also recognized through the conferring of medals, awards, and honorary degrees. It is Columbia tradition that the University Commencement address is always given by the President of the University.

With over 11,000 degree candidates, and 20,000 participants and guests in attendance, the ceremony is an unforgettable, grand-scale celebration that appropriately marks the academic achievements of the University graduates. No candidate officially graduates until the Commencement ceremony is completed.

The University Commencement ceremony of the 258th Academic Year will take place on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. on Morningside Campus.

All May 2012 degree candidates, February 2012 and October 2011 graduates from all Schools and Colleges affiliated with Columbia University are warmly encouraged to attend. For details on how to prepare for the ceremony, please visit the Graduating Students section of this website.

Columbia University faculty and officers of administration may participate in University Commencement by marching in the academic procession, or volunteering as an Event Host or Marshal. For more information on how to participate in the ceremony, please visit the Faculty & Staff section of this website.

Family and friends of Columbia's graduates are an integral part of the University Commencement celebration. Tickets are required for admission. For more information about attending the ceremony, please visit the Parents, Family and Friends section of this website.

 
INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL CEREMONIES
 
Commencement 2010

Each of Columbia University’s schools and affiliates also hosts its own ceremony to individually recognize graduates for their successful completion of requirements. Such events feature visiting speakers and often welcome graduates to stage, providing much-enjoyed photo opportunities to commemorate the occasion. Degrees are not conferred at the individual school ceremonies.

For more information on a specific school ceremony, visit the School Ceremonies and Baccalaureate Service section of this website.