Celebrations and Ceremonies

Formal Graduation Events

Columbia Engineering Class Day — Monday, May 18, 2026

Ceremony begins at 1:00 p.m.
Columbia University Morningside Campus, South Lawns

A celebration of the accomplishments of bachelor’s degree candidates of the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Tickets are required. At the end of March, ticketing information will be emailed to graduating seniors as they are responsible for securing all tickets for their guests. They can claim up to eight guest tickets via Tassel and request additional tickets through a webform.

Columbia College Class Day — Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m.
Columbia University Morningside Campus, South Lawns

A celebration of the accomplishments of all bachelor’s degree candidates of Columbia College.

Columbia University Commencement — Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Tickets are limited, and required. Undergraduates can reserve up to four guest tickets for this longstanding Columbia tradition. Registration will open on Wednesday, April 15.

Please visit the University Commencement website for details.

Community Celebrations and Services

Complementing school Class Day and University Commencement exercises, these celebrations provide a smaller setting for community members and their families to reflect on the personal growth and experiences that have had an impact on their time as students — from Convocation to Commencement.

Baccalaureate Service

Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
Columbia University Morningside Campus, St. Paul’s Chapel

The Baccalaureate Service is a multifaith celebration of undergraduate commencement. Service highlights include musical performances, reflections, and readings by students from diverse faith traditions. The ceremony features a procession that includes undergraduate degree candidates from Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College.

All undergraduate degree candidates and their guests are invited to attend. Learn more about the history of the Baccalaureate Service and this year's student participants.

Departmental Receptions

From toasts and salutes to award presentations and fond farewells, almost every Columbia College and Columbia Engineering department hosts its own, unique end-of-year celebration to recognize its graduating seniors. Departmental Receptions will be added below on a rolling basis.

Students must follow instructions from their department for registering themselves and their guests for any of these receptions.

Astronomy (joint with Physics)

Tuesday, May 19, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
800 Pupin Hall (Theory Center)

Classics and Hellenic Studies

Wednesday, May 20, 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
618 Hamilton Hall

Economics

Monday, May 18, 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
1101/1120 International Affairs Building (IAB)

English and Comparative Literature

Tuesday, May 19, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Ellington in the Park
W. 105th Street inside Riverside Park, lower level
(enter through the stairs at W. 103rd Street and Riverside Drive)

Film and Media Studies

Thursday, May 14, 2.30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
507 Dodge Hall

Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR)

Monday, May 4, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Avenue, 10th floor

Institute of Latin American Studies

Wednesday, May 20, 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
802 International Affairs Building (IAB)

Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS)

Wednesday, May 20, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Knox Hall, 4th floor

Physics (joint with Astronomy)

Tuesday, May 19, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
800 Pupin Hall (Theory Center)

Statistics

Wednesday, May 20, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
School of Social Work Building (SSW), Department Lounge, 10th floor

Sustainable Development

Wednesday, May 20, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Columns Wine Bar
2756 Broadway

Disability Affinity Graduation Awards

Details to be announced.

The Disability Affinity Graduation, hosted by the Columbia Student Disability Network, honors and uplifts Columbia’s graduating disabled students. Graduating students will receive disability-affirming stoles, a disabled Columbia alum will give a keynote, and outstanding graduating activists will be given awards.

Jewish Life Celebration for Graduates

Details to be announced.

Leadership and Excellence Awards

Thursday, April 23, 2026, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Faculty House, 3rd Floor
Columbia University Morningside Campus

At the end of each academic year, Undergraduate Student Life and its partner offices recognize students with awards and honors for leadership, co-curricular accomplishments, and noteworthy contributions to the Columbia community.

Multicultural Celebrations

Multicultural Affairs – in collaboration with student organizations, alumni groups and campus partners – annually hosts Multicultural Celebrations to honor the graduating class. Complementing Class Days and Commencement, these long-standing campus traditions provide a more intimate setting for graduates to gather together to reflect on their personal journeys, invaluable community connections, and shared experiences that have impacted their time as students.

Participation is open to all graduating students in eligible schools.

Additional Information

Multicultural Affairs Cord Ceremony

Tuesday, April 28, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Multicultural Affairs Graduation Cords are given to graduating seniors in Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of General Studies who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community and coalition building, global diversity, justice and multiculturalism (e.g. leading cultural organizations, facilitating campus dialogue efforts, supporting community spaces and events, connecting peers to resources, etc.) through Multicultural Affairs, campus leadership, activism, community involvement, academic endeavors and/or personal dedication.

Nominations were due on Sunday, March 22, and are now closed.

Additional Information