Memories tagged “Alma Mater”

Alma Mater I was always a big fan of the ’60s experience at Columbia University. The great minds that met there, the thought process that started with Ginsberg and bloomed into the generation of love and peace. The most enduring...

School of General Studies 1998

Busta Rhymes Concert I was only a senior in high school, visiting my future alma mater. It was pouring, but the steps were packed with black umbrellas and plastic ponchos. And there was Busta Rhymes jamming in front of us....

Columbia College 2002

Clean & Sober Graduation My graduation was an unforgettable moment: I sat amongst the thousands in a sea of light blue cap and gowns. I had completed my three-year M.F.A. degree in Directing at Columbia’s School of the Arts. The...

School of the Arts 1990

“He Had a Moustache” The year before I saw him again–in the Columbia library–we had been students together in Dr. Schwartz’s Social Work “Group” class. He sat next to me, told me jokes and helped me get through the class...

School of Social Work 1975

Love Letter to Alma Mater Columbia is indeed a special place. Every time I walk across College Walk, a feeling of family comes across my heart and a sense of opportunity comes to mind. I first set foot on 116th...

School of Law 1990

Securing a Seat at Commencement 1980 Desmond Tutu was to have been the Commencement speaker in 1980, but he was unavoidably detained, apparently assisting the police with their inquiries back in South Africa. I forget who spoke in his place....

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences 1980

Shooting Stars I still vividly remember the freezing November morning that I spent on the steps in front of Alma Mater. It was around 4 a.m., and we were still working at Avery Hall, researching and designing. By 5 a.m.,...

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation 2003

Ski Jump on Low Steps After a once-in-a-decade snowstorm in the heart of New York, my teammates and I decided (brilliantly, I might add) to venture with our ski gear out to the Low library steps. After all, we weren’t...

Columbia College 2003

The Lectures Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my beloved Columbia University. I was drawn to share my anecdote when I read the question, “What’s your favorite part of campus?” I started thinking. As a graduate...

Graduate School of Journalism 2005

The Steps When I was a student at the College, the most amazing place to sit back and relax was in front of Alma Mater on “the Steps.” On a spring or summer day, and even into early fall, enjoying...

Columbia College 1989