Celebrations and Ceremonies | Columbia College and Columbia Engineering

Columbia College | Columbia Engineering

Celebrations and Ceremonies

 

Class of 2025, we look forward to honoring your hard work and accomplishments at Class Day & Commencement! 

We are excited to mark this proud milestone with you and your family, friends, classmates, faculty, advisors, dean, and the entire Columbia community.

Formal Graduation Events

Columbia College Class Day – Tuesday, May 20

Ceremony begins at 8:00 a.m.
Columbia University Morningside Campus, South Lawns

There is no guest limit, though tickets are required

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

Columbia Engineering Class Day — Monday, May 19

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

There is no guest limit, though tickets are required

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

Columbia University Commencement – Wednesday, May 21 

Tickets are required, and limited. Additional information will be available in the coming weeks.

Please visit the University Commencement website for detailed information.

 


Community Celebrations and Services

Complementing school Class Day and University Commencement exercises, these events provide a more intimate setting for community members and their families to reflect on personal growth and experiences that have impacted their time as students – from convocation to commencement. All undergraduate students are invited to participate in these community-focused celebrations.

Baccalaureate Service

Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul's Chapel,
Columbia University Morningside Campus

The Baccalaureate Service is a multifaith service celebrating the completion of each undergraduate's academic career from Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College. Service highlights include hymns, musical selections, readings, reflections, and speeches by students.

The Baccalaureate Service is believed to have originated at Oxford University in 1432 when each bachelor was required to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of his academic exercise. Columbia University began this tradition in 1897.

Learn more about the Baccalaureate Service

Department Receptions

From toasts and salutes to award presentations and fond farewells, almost every Columbia College and Engineering department hosts its own, unique end-of-year celebration to recognize their graduating seniors. Additional Events Added on a Rolling Basis.

STUDENTS: Please be sure to follow instructions from your individual department for registering yourself and your guests for any of these receptions. 

American Studies – May 20

Tuesday, May 20, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

319 Hamilton Hall

Applied Physics & Applied Mathematics – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

200 Mudd

Art History and Archaeology – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30–2:30 p.m.

Schermerhorn Hall, Stronach Center (8th floor)

Astronomy and Physics – May 20

Tuesday, May 20, 1:00–2:30 p.m.

800 Pupin (Center for Theoretical Physics)

Biomedical Engineering – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

750 CEPSR

Chemical Engineering – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

801 Mudd

Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Carleton Lab (ET)

Classics and Hellenic Studies – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

618 Hamilton Hall

Computer Science – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

CSB 451, Lounge, & Courtyard

Earth and Environmental Engineering – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30–2 p.m.

1045 Mudd

Earth and Environmental Sciences – May 20

Tuesday, May 20, 12:00–2:00 p.m.

The Ellington - 2745 Broadway

Electrical Engineering – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Mudd Building, 13th floor

English and Comparative Literature – May 20

Tuesday, May 20, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Ellington in the Park, 105th St, inside Riverside Park, lower level, enter through the stairs at 103rd and Riverside

Film and Media Studies – May 20

Tuesday, May 20, 2:30–4:00 p.m.

507 Dodge Hall

French – May 20

Tuesday, May 20, 12:00–2:00 p.m.

507 Dodge Hall

Industrial Engineering & Operations Research – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, Timing TBA

Location TBA

Latin American and Iberian Cultures – May 2

Friday, May 2, 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Casa Hispánica, 612 W. 116th Street  (between Broadways and Riverside)

Linguistics – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Outside at the tables in front of Hamilton and Hartley

Mathematics – May 20

Tuesday, May 20, 2:30–4:30 p.m.

508 Mathematics Hall, Cantor Lounge

Mechanical Engineering – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, Timing TBA

Location TBA

Philosophy – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30–2:30 p.m.

7th Floor Philosophy Hall 

Religion – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 12:30–2:30 p.m.

80 Claremont Avenue, Room 101 

Sociology – May 20

Tuesday, May 20, 12:00 p.m.

Faculty House, Skyline Dining Room

Statistics – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 1:00–3:30 p.m.

School of Social Work building, 10th floor

Disability Affinity Graduation Awards

Sunday, April 27, 2025, 1:00 p.m. 
Pulitzer Hall
Columbia University Morningside Campus

Started three years ago by Journalism alumni Leslie Zukor, the third annual Disability Affinity Graduation,  hosted by Columbia Student Disability Network (CSDN) honors and uplifts Columbia's graduating disabled student body. Graduating students will receive disability-affirming stoles, a disabled Columbia alumni will give a keynote address, and awards to outstanding graduating disabled activists will be given. 

RSVP for the event by filling out this form by March 4. Nominate a graduating student or a teacher for an award by filling out this form by February 24.

International Graduation Celebration

Wednesday, May 7, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Graduate registration | Guest registration for online livestream (Zoom)

Additional Information

Jewish Life Celebration for Graduates

Details to be announced.

Columbia/Barnard Hillel will celebrate the Class of 2025 at this annual Commencement Brunch. Family, friends, and loved ones are welcome. Jewish dietary laws will be observed. 

Leadership and Excellence Awards

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 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 partner offices recognize students with awards and honors for leadership, co-curricular accomplishments, and noteworthy contributions to the Columbia community.

Multicultural Celebrations for Graduates

Multicultural Affairs Cord Ceremony – May 6

Tuesday, May 6, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Nominations are due Sunday, March 23. Columbia College, Columbia Engineering (undergraduates), and General Studies graduating seniors are eligible to be nominated.

Additional Information

Lavender Celebration for Graduates (LGBTQIA+ community) – May 8

Thursday, May 8, 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Graduate registration | Guest registration

Additional Information

Asian Celebration for Graduates  – May 8

Thursday, May 8, 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Graduate registration | Guest registration

Additional Information

Black Celebration for Graduates – May 18

Sunday, May 18, 2:00–4:30 p.m.

Graduate registration | Guest registration

Additional Information

Latinx Celebration for Graduates – May 18

Sunday, May 18, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Graduate registration | Guest registration

Additional Information

FLI Celebration for Graduates – May 19

Monday, May 19, 5:00–6:30 p.m.

Graduate registration | Guest registration

Additional Information

Native Celebration for Graduates – May 21

Wednesday, May 21, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Graduate registration | Guest registration

Additional Information