Columbia University Commencement 2025

On May 21, the Class of 2025 celebrated their commencement and the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) welcomed its new members. 

During her commencement speech, Acting President Claire Shipman noted that we draw strength from our identity as a global institution and that the nearly 16,000 newest members of our Columbia Community are from all over the globe, including 141 countries outside the U.S., all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.

At the end of the ceremony, just as the graduates prepared to walk through the gates, CAA Chair Lisa Carnoy ’89CC took the opportunity to welcome them to the next stage of their Columbia journey, as Columbia alumni. 

The ceremony also honored the 2025 Alumni Medalists, recognized for their efforts to build Columbia’s community. The CAA will continue to honor their accomplishments throughout the year.

Find photo highlights of the day here. Watch a video of the ceremony here (Alumni medals awarded at 1:28:40 and the "Welcome to new alumni" at 2:24.)

When it was over, the Empire State Building lit up with Columbia blue.

Join us in officially welcoming the Class of 2025 to the Columbia Alumni Association!

Do you want to join in and congratulate the Class of 2025? Record a video with your message and send* to [email protected]. The video should be no longer than 10 seconds, and please hold your phone vertically while recording. 

*The videos might be compiled into a celebratory message for the Class of 2025 and published on the CAA website, email, and social media. Submitting your video represents your consent to participate in this initiative.