Columbia University Commencement 2026

On May 20, the Class of 2026 celebrated Commencement. This year, two ceremonies took place on Morningside Campus: one in the morning for graduate degree candidates and one in the evening for undergraduate degree candidates.

• Watch a video of the full graduate ceremony here
• Watch a video of the full undergraduate ceremony here
• See the highlights video here

During the ceremony, the University formally recognized the 2026 Alumni Medalists for their outstanding commitment to building Columbia’s community. The CAA will continue to honor their accomplishments throughout the year.

• Watch alumni medalists being honored during the graduate ceremony at 2:11:40-2:12:38
• Watch alumni medalists being honored during the undergraduate ceremony at 1:50:22-1:51:19

Honorary Degree recipients also received recognition during the events, including several alumni: Harriet Zuckerman ’65GSAS, Michael L. Lomax ’72GSAS, Amanda Peet ’94CC, and George Stephanopoulos ’82CC.

At both ceremonies, Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) Chair Lanny Breuer ’80CC, ’84SIPA, ’85LAW officially welcomed grads to the next stage of their Columbia journey. His brief words of inspiration noted the importance of active engagement with the University and each other, encouraging them to stay in touch and support the next generation.

• Jump to the moment in the graduate ceremony at 2:12:39-2:16:45
• Jump to the moment in the undergraduate ceremony at 1:51:20-1:55:20

After the evening ceremony, New York’s iconic Empire State Building glowed in blue in honor of Columbia’s graduates.

Bonus: See a video of your fellow alumni officially welcoming the Class of 2026 to the Columbia Alumni Association!